Inventory Controller 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. 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 What You Will Bring Essential: 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