Assistant Buyer

Macfarlane Packaging; Sudbury CP; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

27 days after service

Bank holidays

Annual holiday purchasing scheme

Contributory pension scheme

Free parking

Annual volunteering day

Employee assistance programme

Extensive training and development

Employee discount scheme

EE mobile discount scheme

Candidate referral scheme

Job summary

Macfarlane Packaging in Sudbury is seeking an Assistant Buyer to support sourcing and procurement, working closely with Buyers and suppliers to meet customer demand cost-effectively. You will gain exposure to supplier negotiations, tender activity, and procurement strategy as you grow within the team.

You will develop skills in supplier management, buy-side coordination, and cross-functional collaboration while progressing toward more responsible roles in procurement.

Qualifications

• Around 12-18+ months experience within a commercial, purchasing, or buying role.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good attention to detail and organisational ability.
• Confident IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
• A proactive, flexible approach and willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Support the management and development of the local supplier base.
• Assist with sourcing products and negotiating pricing and service levels with suppliers.
• Raise and manage purchase orders, ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement.
• Monitor supplier performance, supporting resolution of any quality or service issues.
• Assist with tender activity, product enquiries, and ad-hoc project work.
• Carry out supplier benchmarking and support reporting and analysis activities.
• Develop an understanding of stock holding costs and take action to minimise waste and inefficiencies.
• Support stock control activities and ensure accurate administration.
• Build strong working relationships across procurement, sales, and logistics teams.
• Contribute to the delivery of procurement strategy and wider business objectives.

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location: Sudbury (Chilton Industrial Estate)

Package: Up to £30,000 annual salary plus bonus & flexible benefits package including up to 27 days holiday (plus bank holidays & additional annual leave purchasing scheme)

Sector: Packaging distribution

Protecting What Matters, Together

We’re dedicated to protecting what matters most – our people, our customers, our communities and the environment. At Macfarlane Packaging, our commitment to customer satisfaction, sustainability and continual improvement creates a collaborative, supportive and friendly workplace where you can unpack a career that grows.

Location: Sudbury (Chilton Industrial Estate)

Package: Up to £30,000 annual salary plus bonus & flexible benefits package including up to 27 days holiday (plus bank holidays & additional annual leave purchasing scheme)

Hours: 37.5 hours, Monday to Friday

Sector: Packaging distribution

Protecting What Matters, Together

We’re dedicated to protecting what matters most – our people, our customers, our communities and the environment. At Macfarlane Packaging, our commitment to customer satisfaction, sustainability and continual improvement creates a collaborative, supportive and friendly workplace where you can unpack a career that grows.

With over 75 years of history, we offer stability whilst continuing to grow. Our fast-paced, results-driven environment will challenge and stretch you, but also provide genuine opportunities for development. Every colleague has the chance to contribute to our success and build a rewarding long-term career.

The Assistant Buyer Role

As an Assistant Buyer within our local procurement team, you’ll support the effective sourcing and supply of products, helping to ensure customer demand is met in a timely and cost-efficient manner.

Working closely with Buyers, senior stakeholders, and suppliers, you’ll play an important role in day-to-day purchasing activity, supplier coordination, and stock management. This is an ideal opportunity for someone with some buying or commercial experience who is looking to develop their career further within procurement.

You’ll gain exposure to supplier negotiations, tender activity, and procurement strategy, with clear opportunities to grow your skills and take on increased responsibility over time.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the management and development of the local supplier base
• Assist with sourcing products and negotiating pricing and service levels with suppliers
• Raise and manage purchase orders, ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement
• Monitor supplier performance, supporting resolution of any quality or service issues
• Assist with tender activity, product enquiries, and ad-hoc project work
• Carry out supplier benchmarking and support reporting and analysis activities
• Develop an understanding of stock holding costs and take action to minimise waste and inefficiencies
• Support stock control activities and ensure accurate administration
• Build strong working relationships across procurement, sales, and logistics teams
• Contribute to the delivery of procurement strategy and wider business objectives

What You Will Bring

We’re looking for someone with some prior exposure to a commercial, purchasing, or supply chain environment who is keen to build a career within procurement.

Essential

• Around 12-18+ months experience within a commercial, purchasing, or buying role
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Good attention to detail and organisational ability
• Confident IT skills, including Microsoft Office
• A proactive, flexible approach and willingness to learn

Desirable

• Previous experience supporting supplier negotiations
• Exposure to working with multiple product lines or supplier bases
• Experience of cross-functional working (sales, logistics, operations)
• CIPS qualification (or interest in working towards this)

What You Will Get

We provide a competitive basic salary alongside a bonus scheme. Our flexible benefits package can include:

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 27 days with service) plus bank holidays
• Additional holiday purchasing scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Free parking at most locations
• Annual volunteering day
• Employee assistance programme
• Extensive training and development opportunities
• Employee discount scheme
• Simply Health/Dental or BUPA options for qualifying roles
• Enhanced HR policies and long service awards
• EE mobile discount scheme
• Candidate referral scheme

Your future with us

At Macfarlane Group, we actively support internal progression and development. This role offers a clear pathway into Buyer and Senior Buyer positions, supported by structured training and access to recognised qualifications such as the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS).

You’ll be part of a business that invests in its people and provides the tools and opportunities to build a long-term career.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds irrespective of your age, gender, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, gender expression, religion, or sexual orientation. Should you require any specific support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please email our recruitment team directly.

No recruitment agencies please