BuyerLocation: Sudbury (Chilton Industrial Estate)Package: Up to £30,000 annual salary plus bonus & flexible benefits package including up to 27 days holiday (plus bank holidays & additional annual leave purchasing scheme)Hours: 37.5 hours, Monday to FridaySector: Packaging distributionProtecting what matters, together We're dedicated to protecting what matters most - our people, our customers, our communities, and the environment. At Macfarlane Packaging, our commitment to customer satisfaction, sustainability and continual improvement creates a collaborative, supportive, and friendly workplace where you can unpack a career that grows. With over 75 years of history, we offer stability alongside continued growth. Our fast-paced, results-driven environment will challenge and stretch you, but also provide genuine opportunities for personal and professional development. Every colleague has the chance to influence our success and share in that achievement.The Buyer Role As our Buyer within our local procurement team, you'll play a key role in supporting the efficient sourcing and supply of products to meet customer demand, sales targets, and profitability objectives. Working closely with internal teams and suppliers, you'll ensure stock is sourced competitively, delivered on time, and meets required quality standards. You'll also contribute to the ongoing development of the supplier base, helping to drive cost efficiencies, improve service levels, and support wider procurement strategy. This is a varied and commercially focused role, offering exposure to supplier negotiation, stock management, and supply chain optimisation within a fast-paced distribution environment.Key responsibilities Support the management and development of the Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) supplier baseNegotiate pricing, terms, and service levels with suppliers to ensure best value and performanceProcess and manage purchase orders, ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement activityWork closely with the Category Manager and Procurement Manager to align with wider procurement strategySource alternative suppliers where required to reduce risk and improve competitivenessMonitor supplier performance, addressing any quality or service issues promptlySupport tender processes to secure favourable commercial termsDevelop awareness of stock holding costs and take action to minimise excess or obsolete stockCollaborate with logistics and warehouse teams to optimise stock availability and flowBuild strong product knowledge across packaging solutionsPromote effective cross-functional working across departments and RDCs What you will bring You'll ideally have experience within a fast-paced purchasing or procurement environment and be confident working with suppliers, managing priorities, and supporting commercial decision-making. Essential: Experience within a purchasing or procurement roleStrong communication and negotiation skillsAbility to prioritise workload within a fast-paced environmentGood IT skills, including Microsoft Office Desirable: 18+ months buying experience within a commercial environmentExperience working with multiple product lines and supplier basesFamiliarity with systems such as ERP/SAP, Microsoft Dynamics or similarCIPS qualification (or interest in working towards this)Experience of cross-functional working with sales, logistics, or operations What you will get We provide a competitive basic salary alongside a range of bonus and incentive schemes. Our flexible benefits package can include: 25 days annual leave (rising to 27 days with service) plus bank holidaysAdditional holiday purchasing schemeContributory pension schemeFree parking at most locationsAnnual volunteering dayEmployee assistance programmeExtensive training and development opportunitiesEmployee discount schemeSimply Health/Dental or BUPA options for qualifying rolesEnhanced HR policies and long service awardsEE mobile discount schemeCandidate referral schemeYour future with us At Macfarlane Group, you'll have the opportunity to shape your own career. We actively support internal progression and provide structured development pathways, combining in-house expertise with external training partners. You'll also have the opportunity to pursue professional development through recognised bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), helping you to build a long-term career within procurement and supply chain.Next Steps/How to Apply We are working swiftly to find the best applicants and hope to hold local interviews ASAP. Please click ‘apply' to submit your up-to-date CV. All applications will be acknowledged. If you haven't heard from us within two weeks, please assume your application was unsuccessful. 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. No recruitment agencies pleaseJBRP1_UKTJ