Assistant Buyer

Macfarlane Packaging; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday entitlement 25–27 days + bank

Bonus scheme

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Macfarlane Packaging is seeking an Assistant Buyer at our Plymouth site to support local procurement and align with the wider national strategy. You will help manage supplier relationships, source products, negotiate pricing and terms, and ensure timely delivery in a fast-paced distribution environment.

The role offers a supportive team, clear progression, and a flexible benefits package. 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with a competitive salary and bonus potential.

Qualifications

• At least one year of commercial buying or procurement experience.
• Experience in supplier interaction and price negotiation.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• IT skills with procurement or ERP systems familiarity.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop a broad portfolio of suppliers.
• Source products, negotiate pricing and terms to ensure best value.
• Monitor supplier performance against quality, service and cost standards.
• Support tendering activities, product sourcing enquiries and ad-hoc procurement projects.
• Purchase standard and non-standard stock items to meet operational needs.
• Produce reports and analyses to support procurement decisions.
• Work with internal departments to ensure supply meets demand.

Skills

Supplier management

Price negotiation

Purchasing administration

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

CIPS study/ accreditation (beneficial)

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location: Estover, Plymouth

Sector: Packaging distribution

Protecting What Matters, Together At Macfarlane Packaging, we protect what matters most – our people, our customers, our communities and the environment. Our commitment to customer service, sustainability and continuous improvement creates a collaborative and supportive workplace where you can build a career that grows with you.

Location: Estover, Plymouth

Salary: £28,000-£30,000 (dependent on experience) + bonus and flexible benefits (including up to 27 days holiday + holiday purchase scheme)

Hours: 37.5 per week, Monday-Friday

Sector: Packaging distribution

Protecting What Matters, Together At Macfarlane Packaging, we protect what matters most – our people, our customers, our communities and the environment. Our commitment to customer service, sustainability and continuous improvement creates a collaborative and supportive workplace where you can build a career that grows with you. With over 75 years of industry expertise, we combine stability with ambition. Ours is a fast-paced, results-focused environment that will challenge and stretch you – but also provide genuine opportunities for development, progression and long-term career satisfaction. We offer competitive pay, performance incentives and a flexible benefits package, alongside a culture that supports work-life balance. If you value teamwork, accountability, adaptability and continuous learning, we would love to hear from you.

The Assistant Buyer Role

As an Assistant Buyer based at our Plymouth site, you will play an important role within our local procurement team, supporting site operations while aligning with the wider national procurement strategy. You will help manage and develop the regional supplier base, ensuring products and services are sourced competitively, delivered reliably, and aligned to business objectives. This is a varied and commercially focused role in a fast-moving distribution environment, offering excellent exposure to supplier management, negotiation and procurement best practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and develop a broad portfolio of suppliers, building strong and effective working relationships
• Source products and negotiate pricing, service levels and terms to ensure best value for the business
• Monitor supplier performance against agreed quality, service and cost standards
• Support tendering activities, product sourcing enquiries and ad-hoc procurement projects
• Purchase both standard and non-standard stock items in line with operational requirements
• Carry out supplier benchmarking and market comparisons to drive continuous improvement
• Produce reports and analysis to support procurement decisions and performance tracking
• Support stock control, purchasing administration and system accuracy
• Work closely with internal departments including sales, operations and logistics to ensure supply meets demand
• Uphold procurement policies and contribute to risk reduction, cost control and margin improvement

What You Will Bring

We welcome applications from candidates with at least one year of commercial buying or procurement experience, ideally within a fast-paced, sales-led or distribution environment.

You Will Also Demonstrate

• Experience of supplier interaction, price negotiation and purchasing administration
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally
• Good commercial awareness and the confidence to challenge constructively
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and work to deadlines
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office; experience with procurement or ERP systems is advantageous
• A proactive, organised and detail-focused approach
• CIPS study or accreditation is beneficial but not essential – we offer support and development towards professional qualifications.

Our Benefits

We offer a competitive salary and bonus, alongside a flexible benefits package that can include:

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 27 with service) plus bank holidays
• Annual holiday purchase scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Free parking at most sites
• Company-paid volunteering day
• Employee assistance programme
• Extensive training, development and progression opportunities
• Employee discounts with major retailers and leisure brands
• Health and dental cover options
• Enhanced family-friendly and wellbeing policies
• Long service awards
• Charitable giving options
• Eye test and glasses support (for DSE users)
• O2 mobile discount scheme
• £750 employee referral scheme