Packaging Buyer North Kent | Competitive Salary + Benefits
Are you an experienced Packaging Buyer, Packaging Coordinator or Packaging Procurement professional looking to join a fast-paced food manufacturing and supply chain environment?
We are working on behalf of a well-established and growing business in North Kent seeking a commercially minded Packaging Buyer to take ownership of packaging procurement activities, supplier relationships and packaging inventory management across a broad range of packaging materials.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working cross-functionally with operational, technical, planning and commercial teams to ensure packaging availability, cost control and continuous improvement.Key Responsibilities
- Manage the sourcing and procurement of packaging materials and consumables.
- Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships.
- Negotiate pricing, contracts and service agreements with suppliers.
- Monitor packaging stock levels and ensure continuity of supply.
- Work closely with operational teams to align packaging availability with production requirements.
- Support packaging forecasting and inventory planning activities.
- Manage supplier performance, quality issues and corrective actions.
- Identify and deliver cost-saving initiatives and process improvements.
- Ensure packaging specifications, compliance documentation and supplier records are maintained.
- Support sustainability and packaging improvement projects where required.
- Produce regular reports relating to spend, supplier performance and stock holdings.
- Work collaboratively with Finance, Operations, Technical, Planning and Commercial teams.
Experience Required
- Previous experience within a Packaging Buyer, Packaging Coordinator, Packaging Procurement, Purchasing Manager or Procurement Manager ( Packaging )
- Experience managing supplier relationships and negotiating commercial agreements.
- Strong inventory management and stock control experience.
- Experience working within a Fresh Produce, Food, FMCG, Packaging environment.
- Strong analytical and organisational skills.
- Good commercial awareness and attention to detail.
- Confident user of ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Excel.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving operational environment.
Desirable
- Experience within food manufacturing, fresh produce or FMCG.
- Knowledge of packaging materials, labels, cartons, films, trays or related packaging products.
- Exposure to packaging sustainability initiatives.
- Understanding of BRC, retailer or food industry compliance standards.
What’s on Offer
- Competitive salary dependent on experience.
- Opportunity to join a growing and successful business.
- Long-term career development opportunities.
- Supportive and collaborative working environment.
