Packaging Buyer

D R Newitt & Associates; Northampton; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme

31 days holiday

6% employer pension contribution

Job summary

D R Newitt & Associates are recruiting a Packaging Buyer in Northamptonshire to join a leading UK food manufacturer. You will own the packaging category, sourcing solutions for both retail and foodservice, and drive cost management while ensuring quality and supplier performance.

Reporting to the Procurement Manager, you will negotiate contracts, manage MOQs, monitor market trends, and collaborate with NPD and technical teams to maintain product integrity and supply continuity across sites.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years in procurement or buying, packaging exposure preferred.
• Studying towards or holding a CIPS qualification is advantageous.
• Strong negotiation, tendering and contract management skills.
• Ability to spot market trends and manage risk in packaging.
• Confident presenter able to influence cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Identify, source and procure packaging solutions across retail and foodservice.
• Lead pricing negotiations and set up robust contracts.
• Analyze spend, contracts and markets; present insights to stakeholders.
• Coordinate with manufacturing sites on lead times and MOQs.
• Source innovative packaging while complying with standards and legislation.
• Collaborate with NPD and Technical teams for supplier approvals.
• Monitor packaging raw materials markets to mitigate supply risks.

Skills

Negotiation

Tendering

Contract management

Analytical capability

Market trends

Cross-functional collaboration

Presentation skills

Education

CIPS qualification (advantageous)

Job description

Packaging Buyer

Northamptonshire

£35,000 - £40,000 per annum + Comprehensive Benefits

Food Manufacturing / FMCG

The Opportunity

Are you an ambitious, commercially sharp Buyer looking to make a genuine impact within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment?

We are recruiting on behalf of a leading UK food manufacturer that owns and manages its entire supply chain, supplying the UK's major supermarkets and high-street restaurants. Operating across multiple major UK sites, this inclusive and forward-thinking business is looking for a proactive Packaging Buyer to join its established Procurement team in Northampton.

The Role

Reporting into the Procurement Manager, you'll take ownership of identifying, sourcing, and procuring packaging solutions across both retail and foodservice product lines. Your focus will be on category optimisation, supplier performance, cost management, and continuous process improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Build, manage, and strengthen long-term relationships with preferred packaging suppliers.
• Lead commercial negotiations on pricing, terms, and conditions, setting up robust contracts and supply agreements.
• Conduct spend, contract, and market analysis across the packaging category, presenting insights to senior stakeholders across the wider business.
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing sites to manage lead times and Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs), guaranteeing continuity of supply while minimising wastage.
• Source innovative packaging and new suppliers in full compliance with retailer, ethical, and environmental standards and legislation.
• Partner with New Product Development (NPD) and Technical teams to ensure seamless supplier approval and uncompromised product integrity.
• Monitor raw material and commodity markets within the packaging supply chain to anticipate cost movements and mitigate supply risks.

Your Skills & Experience

• Minimum of 2 years' experience in a procurement or buying role, ideally with exposure to packaging.
• Studying towards (or holding) a CIPS qualification is advantageous.
• Strong negotiation, tendering, and contract management skills backed by solid analytical capability.
• Ability to spot market trends, with an understanding of packaging raw materials/commodities (desirable) and risk management.
• Confident presenter capable of influencing and collaborating with cross-functional teams at all levels under pressure.

What's on Offer

Alongside a competitive salary of £35,000 - £40,000, you will receive an impressive benefits package, including , Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme (tax-efficient way to lease a new vehicle), 31 days holiday allowance, 6% employer pension contribution and lots more