Buyer

MacFarlane Group; Wolverhampton; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 25–27 days

Holiday purchase scheme

Pension scheme

Employee assistance programme

Training & development

Job summary

Macfarlane Group is seeking a Buyer in Wolverhampton to support sourcing and supply of packaging products to meet demand, sales targets and profitability. You will work with internal teams and suppliers to ensure on-time delivery and quality standards while developing the supplier base to drive cost efficiencies.

The role covers supplier negotiation, stock management, and continuous improvement of procurement processes within a fast-paced distribution environment.

Qualifications

• Experience within a purchasing or procurement role.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to prioritise workload in a fast-paced environment.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
• 18+ months buying experience (Desirable).
• Experience with ERP/SAP, Microsoft Dynamics or similar (Desirable).
• CIPS qualification (or interest in pursuing) (Desirable).

Responsibilities

• Support the management and development of the Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) supplier base.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and service levels with suppliers to ensure best value and performance.
• Process and manage purchase orders, ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement activity.
• Work closely with the Category Manager and Procurement Manager to align with wider procurement strategy.
• Source alternative suppliers to reduce risk and improve competitiveness.
• Monitor supplier performance and address quality or service issues.
• Support tender processes to secure favourable terms.
• Develop awareness of stock holding costs and minimise excess/obsolete stock.
• Collaborate with logistics and warehousing teams to optimise stock availability and flow.
• Build product knowledge across packaging solutions.
• Promote cross-functional working across departments and RDCs.

Skills

Purchasing/procurement experience

Communication & negotiation

IT skills (MS Office)

Supplier management

Education

CIPS qualification

ERP/SAP experience

Tools

ERP/SAP

Microsoft Dynamics

Job description

Buyer

Location: Wolverhampton (Spring Road Industrial Est, Lanesfield)

Package: Basic salary £32,000-£35,000 (depending 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, 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 alongside continued growth. Our fast-paced, results-driven environment will challenge and stretch you, but also provide genuine opportunities for personal and professional development. Every colleague has the chance to influence our success and share in that achievement.

The Buyer Role

As our Buyer within our local procurement team, you'll play a key role in supporting the efficient sourcing and supply of products to meet customer demand, sales targets, and profitability objectives.

Working closely with internal teams and suppliers, you'll ensure stock is sourced competitively, delivered on time, and meets required quality standards. You'll also contribute to the ongoing development of the supplier base, helping to drive cost efficiencies, improve service levels, and support wider procurement strategy.

This is a varied and commercially focused role, offering exposure to supplier negotiation, stock management, and supply chain optimisation within a fast-paced distribution environment.

Key responsibilities

• Support the management and development of the Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) supplier base
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and service levels with suppliers to ensure best value and performance
• Process and manage purchase orders, ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement activity
• Work closely with the Category Manager and Procurement Manager to align with wider procurement strategy
• Source alternative suppliers where required to reduce risk and improve competitiveness
• Monitor supplier performance, addressing any quality or service issues promptly
• Support tender processes to secure favourable commercial terms
• Develop awareness of stock holding costs and take action to minimise excess or obsolete stock
• Collaborate with logistics and warehouse teams to optimise stock availability and flow
• Build strong product knowledge across packaging solutions
• Promote effective cross-functional working across departments and RDCs

What you will bring

• You’ll ideally have experience within a fast-paced purchasing or procurement environment and be confident working with suppliers, managing priorities, and supporting commercial decision-making.

Essential:

• Experience within a purchasing or procurement role
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to prioritise workload within a fast-paced environment
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office

Desirable:

• 18+ months buying experience within a commercial environment
• Experience working with multiple product lines and supplier bases
• Familiarity with systems such as ERP/SAP, Microsoft Dynamics or similar
• CIPS qualification (or interest in working towards this)
• Experience of cross-functional working with sales, logistics, or operations

What You Will Get

We provide a competitive basic salary alongside a rewarding incentive scheme designed to recognise and incentivise success. Our flexible benefits package includes:

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 27 with service) plus all public/bank holidays
• Additional holiday purchase scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Employee assistance programme to support wellbeing
• Extensive training and development opportunities
• Employee discount scheme (retail and leisure)
• Annual paid volunteering day
• Simply Health/Dental plan options
• Enhanced HR policies and long service awards
• Charitable giving options
• Financial support with eye tests and glasses (DSE users)
• EE mobile discount scheme

Your future with us

At Macfarlane Group, you’ll have the opportunity to shape your own career. We actively support internal progression and provide structured development pathways, combining in-house expertise with external training partners.

You’ll also have the opportunity to pursue professional development through recognised bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), helping you to build a long-term career within procurement and supply chain.

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.