Buyer Macfarlane Group UK Ltd

Buyer

Location: Rathcoole (Greenogue Industrial Estate)

Package: Competitive basic 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 Friday

Sector: Packaging distribution

Protecting 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.

Key responsibilities

• Support the management and development of the Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) supplier base
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and service levels with suppliers to ensure best value and performance
• Process and manage purchase orders, ensuring timely and cost effective procurement activity
• Work closely with the Category Manager and Procurement Manager to align with wider procurement strategy
• Source alternative suppliers where required to reduce risk and improve competitiveness
• Monitor supplier performance, addressing any quality or service issues promptly
• Support tender processes to secure favourable commercial terms
• Develop awareness of stock holding costs and take action to minimize excess or obsolete stock
• Collaborate with logistics and warehouse teams to optimise stock availability and flow
• Build strong product knowledge across packaging solutions
• Promote 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 qualifications

• Experience within a purchasing or procurement role
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to prioritise workload within a fast paced environment
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office

Desirable qualifications

• Minimum of 18 months buying experience within a commercial environment
• Experience working with multiple product lines and supplier bases
• Familiarity with systems such as ERP/SAP, Microsoft Dynamics or similar
• CIPS qualification (or interest in working towards this)
• Experience of cross functional working with sales, logistics, or operations

What you will get

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 27 days with service) plus bank holidays
• Additional holiday purchasing scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Free parking at most locations
• Annual volunteering day
• Employee assistance programme
• Extensive training and development opportunities
• Employee discount scheme
• Enhanced HR policies and long service awards
• Candidate referral scheme

Your 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.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds irrespective of 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.