Full job descriptionPackaging Buyer
Location: South Manchester
Salary: £40,000 – £45,000 (depending on experience)
Hours: Full-time, Monday–Friday (40 hours)


The Opportunity
An established and growing food manufacturing business is looking to appoint a Packaging Buyer to join its procurement team. This is a key operational role, ensuring the consistent supply of packaging materials to support production while delivering strong commercial value and maintaining high quality and compliance standards.
You’ll collaborate across multiple departments including Production, Planning, Technical, and Commercial teams, playing a central role in supplier management, cost control, and continuous improvement initiatives.


Key Responsibilities
*Manage the sourcing and purchasing of packaging materials such as films, labels, cartons, sleeves, and cases
*Ensure materials are available in line with production schedules and stock requirements
*Raise and manage purchase orders while maintaining accurate data within ERP systems
*Develop and maintain effective supplier relationships, ensuring high service levels and reliability
*Negotiate pricing, contracts, and lead times to achieve cost efficiencies
*Monitor supplier performance, including quality, delivery, and responsiveness
*Mitigate supply risks through contingency planning and alternative sourcing strategies
*Work closely with technical teams to ensure compliance with food safety, legal, and customer requirements
*Maintain accurate packaging specifications and supplier documentation
*Support new product launches and packaging changes, including artwork updates and trials
*Align purchasing activity with demand forecasts and production planning
*Track usage trends to optimise stock levels and reduce waste
*Contribute to sustainability initiatives, including reducing environmental impact and improving recyclability
*Identify and drive continuous improvement opportunities across packaging and supply processes


About You
*Experience in a procurement or buying role, ideally within FMCG or food manufacturing
*Strong negotiation skills and commercial awareness
*Experience purchasing packaging materials is highly advantageous
*Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities
*Comfortable working cross-functionally with internal teams and external stakeholders
*Strong analytical skills with attention to detail, particularly around specifications and compliance
*Good working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and Excel
*Understanding of packaging regulations and industry standards
*Ability to interpret forecasts and translate them into effective purchasing plans


Personal Attributes
*Proactive and solutions-oriented
*Calm and decisive in a fast-paced environment
*Strong communicator with the ability to influence stakeholders
*High level of accountability and ownership
*Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on efficiency and cost control


What’s On Offer
*Competitive salary package
*Generous holiday allowance, increasing with service
*Additional leave for special occasions
*Health and wellbeing support
*Enhanced family leave policies
*Company pension scheme
*Employee perks and engagement initiatives
*On-site parking


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*If you’re a driven procurement professional looking to make a real impact in a growing manufacturing environment, we’d love to hear from you - please contact Adam Norris or Callum Jackson at Reed.