Assistant Buyer

Assistant BuyerLocation: Milton Keynes Package: Basic Salary GBP23,000 -GBP25,000plus bonus & other excellent PLC company benefits Sector: Packaging distributionThe Company We, the UK's largest packaging distributor have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Buyer to join our procurement team based in Milton Keynes. We are a committed equal opportunities employer that champions 'dignity in the workplace'. Our focus is to provide customers with fully integrated and innovative packaging solutions, augmented by outstanding customer service. Our procurement functionality is a vital part of our solution offering and we continually invest in the professional development of our team including CIPS accredited training.The Assistant Buyer Role Working as a member of our local procurement team, the Assistant Buyer role will support the site at which you are based whilst upholding the company wide National procurement strategy. Your appointment to this position will be integral to the overall success of our business, as you will be instrumental in helping to coordinate the management and development of the regional supplier base.Assistant Buyer Key Duties

• Managing a large portfolio of suppliers
• Sourcing and negotiating with existing suppliers, challenging prices where relevant
• Ensuring supplies adhere to quality, service and best practise initiatives
• Managing performance of the supplier base
• Assisting with tendering activity, product enquiries and ad-hoc project work
• Purchasing of standard and non-standard stock items
• Carrying out supplier benchmarking activities
• Reporting and statistical analysis
• Upholding procurement strategy
• Maximising profitability and minimising risk to the Business
• Undertaking stock control and administration activities

Do you have the correct profile? We welcome your application provided that you have a minimum of 1 year commercial buying experience. That way, we are hopeful that you will already have gained exposure to the majority of key duties mentioned above. Ours is a fairly fast-paced sales led distribution business, so although identical experience isn't essential, any obvious synergy would be useful. You will naturally have strong communication and negotiation skills with the ability to at times, perform under pressure and fulfil exacting timeframes. You will also have excellent interpersonal skills that will help you to work effectively with a wide range of colleagues and departments. You may have already gained CIPS accreditation via previous studies but if not, we do as a business offer a pathway to do so.Our BenefitsWe provide a competitive basic starting salary and operate a range of rewarding bonus/incentive schemes. Our flexible employee benefits can include:-25 days annual leave (rising to 27 days with service) plus all public/bank holidaysContributory pension schemeFree parking at many of our site locationsRange of company cars or cash allowance (including electric) for qualifying rolesEmployee assistance program to support & advise with well-being & any issuesExtensive range of training/development & potential progression opportunitiesEmployee discount scheme (discounts on several major retail/leisure brands)Simply Health/Dental Cover option or BUPA cover for qualifying rolesTax free childcare (TFC) schemeEnhanced maternity & paternity payLong service awards (5-40 years)Charitable giving optionsFinancial support with eye-tests/purchasing glasses (DSE users only)O2 Mobile discount scheme (up to 25% off)Macfarlane Group is also dedicated to maximizing every employee's potential, by providing career development plans and pathways in an environment that fosters personal growth and continuous improvement.How to apply/next stepsThis is an urgent appointment whereby we will be working to identify and review the very best of applicants swiftly in the hope of selecting the successful candidate to commence with us ASAP. Please note that Macfarlane Group supports 'hybrid working' where possible and we often conduct our first stage interviews via video. To make an application please simply click 'apply' ensuring that your CV is up to date and relevant.All applications will be acknowledged, shortlisted applicants normally hearing from us within a week or two. Unsuccessful applicants will also be notified at the end of our process, although if you haven't heard from us within 2-3 weeks of applying, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.NO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES PLEASE