Associate Buyer - Packaging

MRP and supply planning

• Review MRP outputs and assess requirements against available stock, outstanding orders and PO balances.
• Complete risk and stock cover analysis, identifying shortages, excess stock and requirements for new or revised agreements.
• Recommend purchasing quantities and timings, considering demand, lead times, minimum order quantities and stock cover; place agreements within agreed approval limits.

Supplier agreements and purchase orders

• Manage live supplier agreements, monitoring remaining quantities, delivery commitments and validity dates; maintain the supplier agreement log and live checker.
• Review opportunities to bring forward or push back supplier production and deliveries as requirements change, escalating commitments requiring approval.
• Raise purchase orders from approved purchase requisitions, update delivery dates and close completed or part-delivered orders where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and coordinate inbound administration and order follow-up with the Inbound/Import Assistant.

Supplier service and quality

• Participate in regular service calls, confirm supply commitments and follow up delays or discrepancies with suppliers and internal teams.
• Identify supply risks early, agree recovery actions within the role’s authority and escalate unresolved issues to the Commodity Manager.
• Review non-conformance reports (NCRs) weekly and as they arise, supporting supplier investigations, corrective actions and closure.
• Support supplier visits and calls, and prepare quarterly supplier scorecards.

Projects and reporting

• Attend project and packaging meetings, complete agreed actions and maintain project trackers.
• Support new packaging projects and changes by coordinating requirements, supplier information and purchasing activities.
• Assist with tenders, quotation comparisons and other purchasing work under the guidance of the Commodity Manager.
• Update stock sheets and prepare monthly reports covering stock cover, supplier agreements, supply risks and outstanding actions.
• Identify practical improvements to purchasing records, reporting and routine processes.

Responsibility and decision making

• Take ownership of routine purchasing and supply actions within agreed budgets, supplier terms and approval limits. 
• Refer major commercial changes, new supplier decisions, significant stock commitments and unresolved supply risks to the Commodity Manager, who retains responsibility for category strategy and major negotiations.

Essential

• Experience in purchasing, materials planning, supply chain or a related operational role.
• Ability to interpret stock, demand and order data and turn findings into clear actions.
• Good Excel skills and confidence using ERP or MRP systems, with strong accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong organisation and prioritisation skills, with the ability to respond to changing production requirements.
• Clear communication skills and confidence following up suppliers, challenging information and escalating issues appropriately.
• A proactive approach, sound judgement and willingness to develop purchasing knowledge.

Desirable

• Experience in manufacturing or FMCG, particularly purchasing packaging materials.
• Experience managing purchase orders, supplier agreements, stock cover, delivery performance or quality issues.
• CIPS study, a relevant qualification or an interest in working towards one.