Associate Buyer - Packaging

Whitworths Limited; Irthlingborough; Remote; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Whitworths Limited is seeking a proactive purchasing and supply planning professional to optimise stock and supplier performance in a hands-on manufacturing environment. You will review MRP outputs, manage supplier agreements, raise purchase orders and maintain accurate records across stock and deliveries.

The role requires strong Excel skills, experience with ERP/MRP systems and the ability to interpret data to drive clear purchasing actions.

Qualifications

• Experience in purchasing, materials planning or a related operational role.
• Ability to interpret stock, demand and order data and turn findings into clear actions.
• Good Excel skills and confidence using ERP or MRP systems, with strong accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong organisation and prioritisation skills, with the ability to respond to changing production requirements.
• Clear communication skills and confidence following up suppliers, challenging information and escalating issues appropriately.
• A proactive approach, sound judgement and willingness to develop purchasing knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Review MRP outputs and assess requirements against stock, orders and PO balances.
• Complete risk and stock cover analysis, identifying shortages and requirements for new or revised agreements.
• Recommend purchasing quantities and timings; place agreements within approval limits.
• Manage live supplier agreements; monitor quantities, dates and validity.
• Raise POs from approved requisitions and update delivery dates.
• Maintain purchasing records and coordinate inbound administration and order follow-up.
• Attend project and packaging meetings; maintain trackers and stock sheets.
• Assist with tenders, quotations and other purchasing work under guidance.
• Identify improvements to purchasing records and reporting.

Skills

Purchasing

Materials planning

Supply chain

Excel

ERP/MRP systems

Data interpretation

Communication

Attention to detail

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

About The Role

What are the main responsibilities of the job role?

MRP and supply planning

• Review MRP outputs and assess requirements against available stock, outstanding orders and PO balances.
• Complete risk and stock cover analysis, identifying shortages, excess stock and requirements for new or revised agreements.
• Recommend purchasing quantities and timings, considering demand, lead times, minimum order quantities and stock cover; place agreements within agreed approval limits.

Supplier agreements and purchase orders

• Manage live supplier agreements, monitoring remaining quantities, delivery commitments and validity dates; maintain the supplier agreement log and live checker.
• Review opportunities to bring forward or push back supplier production and deliveries as requirements change, escalating commitments requiring approval.
• Raise purchase orders from approved purchase requisitions, update delivery dates and close completed or part-delivered orders where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and coordinate inbound administration and order follow-up with the Inbound/Import Assistant.

Supplier service and quality

• Participate in regular service calls, confirm supply commitments and follow up delays or discrepancies with suppliers and internal teams.
• Identify supply risks early, agree recovery actions within the role’s authority and escalat?
• Review non-conformance reports (NCRs) weekly and as they arise, supporting supplier investigations, corrective actions and closure.
• Support supplier visits and calls, and prepare quarterly supplier scorecards.

Projects and reporting

• Attend project and packaging meetings, complete agreed actions and maintain project trackers.
• Support new packaging projects and changes by coordinating requirements, supplier information and purchasing activities.
• Assist with tenders, quotation comparisons and other purchasing work under the guidance of the Commodity Manager.
• Update stock sheets and prepare monthly reports covering stock cover, supplier agreements, supply risks and outstanding actions.
• Identify practical improvements to purchasing records, reporting and routine processes.

Responsibility and decision making

• Take ownership of routine purchasing and supply actions within agreed budgets, supplier terms and approval limits.
• Refer major commercial changes, new supplier decisions, significant stock commitments and unresolved supply risks to the Commodity Manager, who retains responsibility for category strategy and major negotiations.

What are the key ingredients needed for the role?

Essential

• Experience in purchasing, materials planning, supply chain or a related operational role.
• Ability to interpret stock, demand and order data and turn findings into clear actions.
• Good Excel skills and confidence using ERP or MRP systems, with strong accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong organisation and prioritisation skills, with the ability to respond to changing production requirements.
• Clear communication skills and confidence following up suppliers, challenging information and escalating issues appropriately.
• A proactive approach, sound judgement and willingness to develop purchasing knowledge.

Desirable

• Experience in manufacturing or FMCG, particularly purchasing packaging materials.
• Experience managing purchase orders, supplier agreements, stock cover, delivery performance or quality issues.
• CIPS study, a relevant qualification or an interest in working towards one.

About Us

We’re on an exciting mission here at Whitworths – to help boost the nutrient intake of the nation, improving general health of families using the goodness found in our delicious products. We’re the only brand that gives a credibly nutritious boost to breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, baking and beyond.

There are obviously many other reasons to come and work with us, but the biggest reason is so that you have a job you love and a company you are proud to say you work for. You will receive a competitive salary, 33 days holiday, a workplace pension, and in addition, you’ll also have access to a number of family friendly, health and lifestyle benefits. Culturally, we believe strongly in investing in our people, developing them in role and developing their careers within Whitworths. Don't just take our word for it, our people say the same, as demonstrated by our recent accreditation from Investors In People.