Buyer

Job Opportunity: Purchasing & Planning Coordinator (Raw Materials & Packaging) Location: Wellingborough, Northamptonshire Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent Salary: 28,000 32,000 (Depending on experience) About the Role A growing specialist manufacturer in the chemical sector is seeking a Purchasing & Planning Coordinator to manage raw material and packaging procurement, stock control, and production planning. This is a hands-on role in a small, fast-paced manufacturing environment, ideal for someone with experience in supply chain or planning roles within a regulated or process-driven industry. Key Responsibilities Purchasing (Raw Materials & Packaging) Source and procure raw materials, additives, solvents, and packaging Monitor supplier lead times, pricing, and minimum order quantities (MOQs) Build and maintain strong supplier relationships Manage purchase orders, delivery schedules, and relevant documentation (SDS, COAs) Demand Planning & Forecasting Work with sales and management to manage rolling forecasts Translate forecasts into purchasing and production requirements Adjust planning based on seasonality, customer orders, and market trends Inventory Management Monitor inventory of raw materials, packaging, and finished goods Maintain accurate stock records and conduct regular cycle counts Highlight slow-moving or obsolete inventory and recommend actions Production Planning Plan production schedules based on customer orders and batch efficiencies Coordinate with production and laboratory teams to ensure raw material availability Optimise capacity planning to reduce downtime Systems & Reporting Maintain purchasing and inventory data within ERP/MRP systems Generate reports on stock levels, purchasing KPIs, and forecast accuracy Track actual usage vs. forecast and investigate variances Required Skills & Experience Essential 2 years in a buyer/purchasing or planning role within manufacturing (ideally chemicals or raw materials) Strong organisational and planning skills Solid Excel skills (lookups, pivot tables, formulas) Understanding of supply chain processes and cost impact of purchasing decisions Awareness of health 'safety and regulatory compliance (e.g. SDS, REACH) Desirable Background in chemical, resin, or polyurethane-based industries Familiarity with ERP or MRP software Experience in a small business/SME environment Knowledge of Incoterms and international material shipping Personal Attributes Proactive and detail-oriented Calm under pressure and good at problem-solving Strong communication skills across all levels Team player with a flexible, hands-on approach Whats on Offer An opportunity to make a real impact in a growing business Supportive, close-knit team environment Career progression in supply chain and operations Competitive salary and benefits55b20050-bc17-4e5d-bfce-3c406318dffc

Created: 2025-08-30