Buyer

Macfarlane Packaging; Southwater; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus and flexible benefits

27 days holiday

Pension scheme

Healthcare options

Employee assistance programme

Training and career development

Employee discounts

Annual volunteering day

Long service awards

Job summary

Macfarlane Packaging is seeking a proactive Buyer to manage stock across sites, forecast inventory, and optimise working capital. You will work with procurement, sales and logistics to ensure product availability while controlling costs and maintaining data accuracy.

The role demands strong analytical skills, attention to detail and the ability to prioritise in a fast-paced environment. You’ll engage with suppliers and internal teams to drive efficiency and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Experience in stock management or purchasing roles.
• Strong numerical and data analysis skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational ability.
• Ability to prioritise in a fast-paced environment.
• Good cross-functional communication and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Manage stock levels across sites to match demand and service levels.
• Forecast inventory using data and customer insight.
• Monitor aged, excess, and slow-moving stock to improve margin.
• Raise and manage purchase orders for standard and non-standard items.
• Expedite orders and resolve supply or cost issues.
• Maintain accurate inventory records and GRNs across systems.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and service levels with suppliers.
• Support tender processes for favourable terms.
• Coordinate with Sales/Procurement/Logistics to align stock planning.
• Build relationships across departments and with suppliers.

Skills

Stock management

Analytical skills

Excel

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Negotiation

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

The Role: Buyer

As our Buyer, you'll take ownership of stock management across our site, ensuring the right products are available at the right time while balancing working capital, space utilisation, and margin.

Working closely with procurement, sales, and logistics teams, you'll use data and insight to forecast demand, manage stock levels, and identify opportunities to improve performance. This is a highly visible, cross-functional role where accuracy, organisation, and commercial awareness are key.

What You'll Be Doing

• Manage stock levels across allocated sites, ensuring availability aligns with customer demand and service levels
• Forecast inventory requirements using data and customer insight to optimise stock holding
• Monitor and manage aged, excess, and slow-moving stock to improve margin and reduce waste
• Raise and manage purchase orders for both standard and non-standard items
• Expedite orders and resolve supply or cost issues to maintain continuity and control spend
• Maintain accurate inventory records, ensuring strong data integrity across systems Manage Goods In schedules and oversee accurate Goods Received Notes (GRNs)
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and service levels with suppliers to ensure best value and performance.
• Support tender processes to secure favourable commercial terms
• Work closely with sales, procurement, and logistics teams to align stock planning with customer needs
• Build strong relationships across departments and with suppliers to support effective supply chain performance

Strong analytical and numerical skills, with confidence working with data and Excel

• Excellent attention to detail and a structured, organised approach
• Ability to prioritise and manage workload in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work cross-functionally
• Proactive mindset with the ability to identify issues and implement solutions
• Comfortable managing a large SKU range across multiple product categories

Desirable:

• Any prior experience working in an inventory control, stock management, purchasing or supply chain role
• Previous experience in a distribution or logistics environment
• Understanding of inventory management principles and KPIs

At Macfarlane Packaging, we're in the business of protecting what matters - our people, our customers, and the planet. We're equally committed to protecting and developing careers, offering a stable, forward-thinking environment where your contribution is recognised and your progression supported.

With over 75 years of industry expertise, we combine the strength of a market leader with the pace and energy of a commercial, sales-led business. If you enjoy working with data, driving efficiencies, and playing a key role in operational performance, this is an opportunity to make a real impact.

Package: Basic salary up to £32,000 (dependent on experience) plus bonus & flexible benefits package including up to 27 days holiday (plus bank holidays & additional annual leave purchasing scheme)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday

Sector: Packaging Distribution

Optimise stock, drive efficiency, and support business performance, We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you both professionally and personally, including:

• 25 days holiday (rising to 27 with service) plus bank holidays
• Additional holiday purchasing scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Flexible benefits package including healthcare options
• Employee assistance programme to support wellbeing
• Ongoing training and career development opportunities
• Employee discounts across major retail and leisure brands
• Annual volunteering day
• Long service awards and recognition schemes

Your Future with Us

We're committed to helping our people grow. With structured development pathways, access to industry-recognised training (including CIPS), and genuine opportunities for progression across the wider group, you'll be supported to develop your career within a business that values continuous improvement and internal mobility.