Buyer
Location: Avonmouth, Cabot Park
Package: Basic salary up to £34,000 (dependent on experience) plus bonus & flexible benefits package including 25 days annual leave.
Hours: 37.5 per week, Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm
Sector: Packaging distribution
Buyer Role
Working as a member of our local procurement team in Avonmouth. In this role, you will support efficient procurement processes to meet sales and profit targets. Responsibilities include sourcing products at competitive prices, ensuring quality, and meeting delivery timelines. You will collaborate closely with internal and sales teams, adhere to procurement strategies, negotiate terms with suppliers, monitor market trends and supplier performance, identify opportunities for process improvement and cost optimisation, contributing to the organisation's competitiveness and profitability.
Please note, this position is wholly office based and due to the location of our Avonmouth site, owning transport is preferred.
Key Duties
* Support the management and development of the Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) supplier base to deliver maximum service at the lowest cost.
* Negotiate prices and service agreements with local suppliers to ensure cost-effectiveness and quality standards.
* Liaise with the Category Manager and Procurement Manager to align RDC procurement strategy with company objectives.
* Ensure that RDC purchasing transactions are carried out in a timely and cost-effective manner, administering purchase orders and associated administration efficiently.
* Manage the tender process efficiently to secure competitive pricing and favourable terms from suppliers.
* Source alternative suppliers when necessary to diversify supplier base and mitigate risks.
* Monitor quality and service levels regularly to maintain high standards and address any issues promptly.
* Develop awareness of the profit implications of stock holding costs, including redundant and damaged stock, and take appropriate actions to minimise losses.
* Work in partnership with the Logistics and Warehouse team to optimise stock holding volumes and ensure efficient inventory management.
* Develop and maintain a good knowledge of all packaging solutions, sharing insights and expertise with colleagues to enhance collective knowledge.
* Negotiate discounts based on volumes with local suppliers to maximise margin and profitability.
* Identify potential customers from supplier contacts to explore business opportunities and expand customer base.
* Promote cooperation between departments and RDCs across the group to enhance operational efficiency and collaboration.
What you will bring
Essential:
* Experience of working within a fast-paced purchasing environment with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively
* Varied exposure to product sourcing across a range of local & national suppliers
* Experience of negotiating best price & service to secure new supplier arrangements
* Sound communication skills both verbal and written
* IT/PC literate with solid competency and working knowledge of Microsoft Office and internet
Desirable:
* Prior experience of Microsoft Dynamics and/or other sourcing software packages
* Minimum 18 months buying experience within a commercial purchasing/procurement environment
* A background of working with hundreds of different product lines and unique item codes
* Experience in prior role of close inter‑department working (i.e. with sales/purchasing)
* CIPs accredited & part or full qualified
* Prior knowledge of general packaging, packaging design, and their application
What you will get
We provide a competitive basic starting salary (weighted higher to reflect temporary contract) and operate a range of rewarding bonus/incentive schemes. Our flexible employee benefits package includes:
* 25 days annual leave (rising to 27 days with service) plus all public/bank holidays
* Additional Holiday purchasing scheme (run annually)
* Contributory pension scheme
* Free parking at most of our site locations
* Annual (company paid) volunteering day
* Employee assistance program to support & advise with well‑being & any issues
* Extensive range of training/development & potential progression opportunities
* Employee discount scheme (discounts on several major retail/leisure brands)
* Simply Health/Dental Cover option or BUPA cover for qualifying roles
* Enhanced HR policies relating to various employee rights & entitlements
* Long service awards (5-40 years)
* Charitable giving optionsFinancial assistance with eye‑tests/purchasing glasses (DSE users only)
* EE Mobile discount scheme
* Candidate referral scheme (awards £750 for referring successful applicants to Macfarlane job vacancies)
Your future with us
Here at Macfarlane Group, you truly have the potential to shape your own future and set your own ambitions. We are a large group company where internal promotion and mobility is a key feature of our success. Through tailored career plans, we provide a wide range of structured training & development pathways, utilizing both in‑house expertise to share knowledge and the best‑in‑class external training partners. There is potential access to management & leadership development, and we work closely with recognised, accredited bodies including the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) & the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS); so there really are no limits to where your journey within Macfarlane Group may take you long term.
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds irrespective of your age, gender, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, gender expression, religion, or sexual orientation. Should you require any specific support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please email our recruitment team directly.
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