Buyer

MacFarlane Group; Bristol; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading packaging distributor in Bristol is seeking a Buyer on a temporary 12-month contract to support procurement processes and negotiate terms with suppliers. The ideal candidate will have experience in a fast-paced purchasing environment and the ability to manage effective supplier relationships. Responsibilities include sourcing products, managing orders, and ensuring quality and cost-effectiveness. This role offers a competitive salary of up to £32,000 plus bonuses and a flexible benefits package.

Benefits

Up to 27 days holiday

Contributory pension scheme

Employee discount scheme

Annual volunteering day

Flexible employee benefits package

Qualifications

• Experience of working within a fast-paced purchasing environment with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively.
• Varied exposure to product sourcing across a range of local & national suppliers.
• Experience of negotiating best price & service to secure new supplier arrangements.

Responsibilities

• Support efficient procurement processes to meet sales and profit targets.
• Sourcing products at competitive prices, ensuring quality, and meeting delivery timelines.
• Negotiate terms with suppliers to drive operational efficiency.

Skills

Experience in fast-paced purchasing environment

Negotiation skills

Effective prioritization skills

Solid communication skills

IT/PC literacy (Microsoft Office)

Education

CIPs accreditation (part or full qualified)

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics

Job description

Buyer

Temporary Contract (12 months initially)

Location: Avonmouth, Cabot Park

Package: Basic salary up to £32,000 (dependent on experience) plus bonus & flexible benefits package including up to 27 days holiday

Hours: 37.5 per week, Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm

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 highly collaborative, supportive, and friendly workplace where you can unpack a career that grows.

With history stretching back over 75 years, we offer stability whilst always striving for continual growth. Our fast‑paced, results‑driven approach will challenge and often stretch you, but it will also give you opportunities for personal and professional development. Every colleague has the chance to directly influence our success, leading to real job satisfaction and achievement, at all stages of your career.

We provide competitive pay and personalised incentives, alongside adaptable benefits to make your rewards package go further. And additionally, the way we work prioritises work‑life balance and flexibility, empowering our colleagues to manage what is most important to them. Our business values commitment, diligence, teamwork, adaptability, and a thirst for learning… so if this sounds like you, come and join us to help drive change that enables businesses to plan for a better future.

The Buyer Role

Working as a member of our local procurement team in Avonmouth, this role is initially a 12‑month temporary position. In this role, you will support efficient procurement processes to meet sales and profit targets. Responsibilities shall include sourcing products at competitive prices, ensuring quality, and meeting delivery timelines. Collaborating closely with our internal and sales teams, you will adhere to and uphold our procurement strategies whilst negotiating terms with suppliers to drive operational efficiency. Monitoring market trends and supplier performance, you will identify opportunities for process improvement and cost optimisation, contributing to the organisation's competitiveness and profitability.

Please note, this position is wholly office based and due to the location of our Avonmouth site, own transport is preferred.

Buyer Key Duties

• Support the management and development of the Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) supplier base to deliver maximum service at the lowest cost.
• Negotiate prices and service agreements with local suppliers to ensure cost‑effectiveness and quality standards.
• Liaise with the Category Manager and Procurement Manager to align RDC procurement strategy with company objectives.
• Ensure that RDC purchasing transactions are carried out in a timely and cost‑effective manner, administering purchase orders and associated administration efficiently.
• Manage the tender process efficiently to secure competitive pricing and favourable terms from suppliers.
• Source alternative suppliers when necessary to diversify supplier base and mitigate risks.
• Monitor quality and service levels regularly to maintain high standards and address any issues promptly.
• Develop awareness of the profit implications of stock holding costs including redundant and damaged stock, and take appropriate actions to minimise losses.
• Work in partnership with the Logistics and Warehouse team to optimise stock holding volumes and ensure efficient inventory management.
• Develop and maintain a good knowledge of all packaging solutions, sharing insights and expertise with colleagues to enhance collective knowledge.
• Negotiate discounts based on volumes with local suppliers to maximise margin and profitability.
• Identify potential customers from supplier contacts to explore business opportunities and expand customer base.
• Promote cooperation between departments and RDCs across the group to enhance operational efficiency and collaboration.

What you will bring

The successful applicant will ideally meet the following criteria…

Essential:

• Experience of working within a fast‑paced purchasing environment with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively.
• Varied exposure to product sourcing across a range of local & national suppliers.
• Experience of negotiating best price & service to secure new supplier arrangements.
• Sound communication skills both verbal and written.
• IT/PC literate with solid competency and working knowledge of Microsoft Office and internet.

Desirable:

• Prior experience of Microsoft Dynamics and/or other sourcing software packages.
• Minimum 18 months buying experience within a commercial purchasing/procurement environment.
• A background of working with hundreds of different product lines and unique item codes.
• Experience in prior role of close inter‑department working (i.e. with sales/purchasing).
• CIPs accredited & part or full qualified.
• Prior knowledge of general packaging, packaging design, and their application.

What you will get

We provide a competitive basic starting salary and operate a range of rewarding bonus/incentive schemes. Our flexible employee benefits package can include:

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 27 days with service) plus all public/bank holidays.
• Additional Holiday purchasing scheme (run annually).
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Free parking at most of our site locations.
• Annual (company paid) volunteering day.
• Range of company cars or cash allowance (including hybrid/electric) for qualifying job roles.
• Employee assistance programme to support & advise with well‑being & any issues.
• Extensive range of training/development & potential progression opportunities.
• Employee discount scheme (discounts on several major retail/leisure brands).
• Simply Health/Dental Cover option or BUPA cover for qualifying roles.
• Enhanced HR policies relating to various employee rights & entitlements.
• Long service awards (5-40 years).
• Charitable giving options.
• Financial assistance with eye‑tests/purchasing glasses (DSE users only).
• EE Mobile discount scheme.
• Candidate referral scheme (awards £750 for referring successful applicants to Macfarlane job vacancies).

Your future with us

Here at Macfarlane Group, you truly have the potential to shape your own future and set your own ambitions. We are a large group company where internal promotion and mobility is a key feature of our success. Through tailored career plans, we provide a wide range of structured training & development pathways, utilising both in‑house expertise to share knowledge and the best‑in‑class external training partners. There is potential access to management & leadership development, and we work closely with recognised, accredited bodies including the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) & the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS); so there really are no limits to where your journey within Macfarlane Group may take you long term.

How to apply/next steps

We are working swiftly to find the best applicants and hope to hold local interviews ASAP. Please click 'apply' to submit your up‑to‑date CV. All applications will be acknowledged. If you haven't heard from us within 2‑3 weeks, please assume your application was unsuccessful.

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