Packaging Buyer

Avara Foods Limited; Brackley; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Avara Foods Limited is seeking a Packaging Buyer to join our Procurement Team at Brackley. You will identify and procure packaging for retail and food service products, manage supplier relationships, and drive category optimisation to meet departmental goals.

The role requires at least 2 years of procurement experience, ideally with packaging background, and a willingness to pursue CIPS qualification. You will collaborate with sites to ensure steady supply and minimize waste.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of procurement experience in packaging recommended.
• Packaging background is advantageous.
• Ideally pursuing a CIPS qualification.
• Strong analytical and market-trend awareness.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain relationships with suppliers.
• Negotiate prices, terms and contracts; set up supply agreements where required.
• Perform spend, contract and market analysis for packaging.
• Coordinate with sites on lead times and minimum order quantities to ensure supply with minimal waste.
• Source new packaging and suppliers ensuring compliance with legislation and standards.
• Work with NPD and technical teams for supplier approvals and product integrity.

Skills

Procurement

Analytical skills

Market trends

Supplier management

Education

CIPS qualification (preferred)

Job description

About the Role:

Are you highly motivated and have good people skills? Do you have experience with buying/purchasing materials? Looking for an exciting new career opportunity?

As an inclusive, forward-thinking business, we take pride in our approach to Procurement across Avara Foods and are looking for a highly competent and motivated Packaging Buyer to join our Procurement Team, based at our Brackley site.

Who are we, and what do we do?

You may not have heard of us, but there’s a good chance you’ve enjoyed our products. Avara Foods is one of the UK’s leading food businesses, supplying chicken and turkey to the country’s major supermarkets and well-known restaurants.

We own and manage our entire supply chain, from farms to factory and all the way to the customer door – meaning we have careers that cover a whole range of functions. We have major processing sites across England and Wales, and an agricultural network of over 350 farms, spanning from North Yorkshire to the South Coast and Wales.

Purpose of the role:

As a Packaging buyer you will be responsible for identifying and procuring packaging for retail and food service products. The Buyer will focus on category optimisation, process improvement and delivering against individual and departmental goals.

Your key responsibilities as a Packaging Buyer will include:

• Establish and maintain ongoing relationships with preferred suppliers.
• Negotiating prices, agree terms and conditions and where required set up contracts and supply agreements.
• Perform spend, contract and market analysis for packaging category for communication to the wider business.
• Work closely with all sites with management of lead times and minimum order quantities to ensure continuity of supply to site at minimal wastage.
• Source new packaging and suppliers where required ensuring compliance with legislation and standards, including but not limited to Retailer, ethical and environmental.
• Work closely with NPD and technical to ensure supplier approval and product integrity.
• Must have a good understanding of raw material markets through the supply chain of the packaging procured and how they will impact the business.
• Results orientated with the ability to plan and deliver against targets and project deadlines.

What we are looking for:

• Minimum of 2 years’ procurement experience and ideally have a packaging background
• Ideally working towards CIPS qualification
• Good analytical skills
• Ability to recognise future and market trends
• Knowledge of packaging raw material/commodity markets (although not essential)
• Contract management and supplier experience