Packaging Buyer: Strategic Sourcing & Partnerships

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

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.