Location: Sudbury
Salary: Up to £26,000 (rising in April) plus bonus and flexible benefits including up to 27 days holiday (plus bank holidays and holiday purchase scheme)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm
Sector: Packaging distribution
Protecting What Matters, Together
At Macfarlane Packaging, we protect what matters most – our people, our customers, our communities and the environment. Our focus on service, sustainability and continuous improvement creates a collaborative and supportive workplace where careers can grow.
With over 75 years of industry expertise, we combine the stability of a market leader with a fast-moving, commercially focused environment. We value teamwork, accountability and continuous learning, offering genuine opportunities for development and progression.
The Inventory Controller Role
As Inventory Controller at our Sudbury site, you will be responsible for maintaining accurate stock control and optimising inventory levels to meet customer demand while supporting working capital and margin objectives.
You will manage forecasting, replenishment and stock accuracy across a wide product range, working closely with procurement, logistics and sales teams to ensure availability, minimise excess stock and improve overall supply chain performance.
Some initial training for this position may require you to travel for a few days to our Milton Keynes site when you start, but any travel/transport or accommodation costs will be covered by the business.
Key Responsibilities
Inventory Planning and Control
Forecast stock requirements and manage replenishment to maintain optimal availability
Take ownership of stock levels across allocated sites, balancing service, space and working capital
Monitor aged and slow-moving stock, identifying actions to reduce excess and improve margin
Maintain accurate inventory records and ensure system data integrity
Purchasing and Supplier Coordination
Raise and manage purchase orders for standard and non-standard stock items
Expedite orders and resolve delivery or cost issues with suppliers
Maintain strong product knowledge including pack quantities, pallet configurations and volumes
Manage Goods In schedules and confirm Goods Received Notes (GRNs)
Stock Governance and Agreements
Manage stock holding agreements and ensure purchasing aligns with customer commitments
Maintain and analyse stock databases, identifying opportunities for optimisation
Collaboration and Performance Improvement
Work closely with sales, procurement, logistics and management teams to align inventory with customer demand
Support cross-site collaboration with other Regional Distribution Centres
Monitor and report on stock KPIs, identifying areas for improvement in availability, margin and stock turn
Ensure purchasing and stock processes comply with company policies and standards
Essential
What You Will Bring
Experience working in a fast-paced stock control, inventory or supply chain environment
Strong numerical, analytical and data interpretation skills
Good Excel and general systems competency
Ability to manage large numbers of SKUs across varied product types
Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise workload
Confident communicator, comfortable working cross-functionally
Proactive, detail-focused and able to work on your own initiative
Desirable
Good understanding of inventory management principles
Two or more years' experience in an Inventory Controller or stock-focused role
What You Will Get
Alongside a competitive salary and bonus scheme, we offer a flexible benefits package including:
25 days holiday (rising to 27 with service) plus bank holidays
Holiday purchase scheme
Contributory pension scheme
Free parking at many sites
Employee assistance programme
Extensive training, development and progression opportunities
Employee discount scheme
Annual paid volunteering day
Health and dental cover options
Enhanced family-friendly policies
Long service awards
Eye care support for DSE users
O2 mobile discount scheme
Your Future with Us
Macfarlane Packaging is a business where internal progression and mobility are actively encouraged. Through structured development pathways, in-house expertise and leading external training partners, we support colleagues in building long-term careers, including access to leadership and professional qualifications such as ILM and CIPS.
How To Apply
We are reviewing applications promptly and aim to hold interviews soon. Please click Apply to submit your up-to-date CV. If you do not hear from us within 2-3 weeks, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you require adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact our recruitment team.
No recruitment agencies please