Manufacturing - Buyer

John Crane, a business of Smiths Group, is a global leader in mission-critical flow control solutions for energy and process industries that enable efficient and sustainable operations. Our products include mechanical seals and systems, couplings, bearings, filtration systems, and predictive digital monitoring technologies. 

We have a global network of more than 200 sites in over 50 countries and employ more than 6,000 people worldwide. We partner with our customers to help them keep their operations safe, reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and meet the latest environmental standards. 

John Crane is part of Smiths Group. For over 170 years, Smiths has been pioneering progress by engineering for a better future. We serve millions of people every year, helping to create a safer, more efficient, productive, and better-connected world across four global markets: energy, security & defence, space & aerospace, and general industrial. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Smiths employs approximately 16,000 colleagues in over 50 countries.

Job Description

No Sponsorship available.

This role, supporting John Crane Inc., carries local and global responsibility when applicable, for managing and developing the supply base, as well as hands-on accountability for executing effective and efficient transactional procurement activities through adherence to Standard Work processes, while driving positive commercial outcomes.

Ensure best value and efficient procurement of goods and sub-contracted services within a defined scope of business support, in compliance with the Smiths Group PLC Code of Conduct and John Crane's Procure-to-Pay (P2P) policy, while maintaining a professional and consistent approach to all supplier relationships.

The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical capabilities, a process-oriented mindset, excellent communication and relationship management skills, and the ability to negotiate effectively with suppliers.

Adhere to daily Standard Work for purchasing team members.

•Create, modify, update, and manage the acknowledgment of Purchase Orders (PO's) from Requisition to Delivery for Direct materials and relevant subcontract services, in line with the Delegation of Authority policy and approval process

•Ensure PO acknowledgements from suppliers are complete and relevant data always updated in ERP system

• Ensure the timely and efficient processing and acknowledgement of purchase orders and MRP action messages (Order, Expedite, De-Expedite, Cancel)

•Manage the return of defective items to suppliers and implement any associated PO management activities (e.g. management of Return PO's)

•Approve and release PO's according with designated approval levels in the DOA

•Resolve MRP Exception messages on a daily basis

•Ensure PO creation and management is aligned to any global contract that is in place

•Resolve invoice holds

•Drive positive commercial impact:

•Conduct complex RFQ exercises with the supply market to identify and select best source of supply for specific items or subcontract services in line with competitive bidding policies.

•Conduct structured price negotiations with Suppliers using benchmarking and other techniques to ensure best value for JC

•Work with the supply market and internal customers to optimize lead times and inventory for JC in line with agreed targets

•Effective Supplier Management

•Coordinate with suppliers to expedite delivery where required to meet business needs

•Manage specific supplier relationships as directed

•Act as the point of contact/liaison between suppliers and stakeholder functions where required

•Track and manage supplier performance to meet established targets and contractual requirements

•Develop contractual arrangements with suppliers where required

•Coordinate the onboarding and registration of new suppliers

•Data Management

•Ensure new pricing and supplier data is updated in ERP systems consistently, accurately, and regularly.

• Control Direct material costs and achieve savings as per annual targets; the ability to identify and deliver cost reduction opportunities is critical to success in this role.

• Active participation in continuous improvement projects on a regular basis is expected. Develop ideas to improve operational efficiency, add value and support continuous improvement culture and personal accountability in area of responsibility.

John Crane, as a global organization, promotes collaboration across internal areas and various business units, strengthening strategic alignment and enabling the efficient execution of operations and projects. All employees are expected to uphold and actively support this collaborative approach, fostering strong partnerships and contributing to shared business success.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent is required. 
• Must have 5+ purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment (mechanical metal area is required, no exceptions )
• Ideally, experience in procuring / sourcing process-based measuring instruments such as (various gauges & transmitters), piping components such as (pipe fittings, pipes, tubes, flanges fittings fasteners, gaskets), critical components such as (pumps, coolers, accumulator, motors etc.).
• Experience in procuring / sourcing on fabrication API Plans, spools, skids, auxiliary systems etc. is an added advantage.
• Well versed in purchasing techniques and logistical supply chain
• Excellent customer service skills
• Must have knowledge of Materials Requirement Planning (MRP) systems
• Must have intermediate skills with MS Office Suite

Additional Information

With colleagues stretching across the globe, we are proud of our diversity. To foster inclusivity, we run employee resource groups (ERGs) to provide a safe space for employees to connect and support each other. Our cross-business ERGs include Veterans, Pride Network, Black Employee Network, View email address on us.fitly.work Network, and Neurodiversity. 

Across our company, we recognize excellence, culminating in the Smiths Excellence Awards, our annual celebration of the most extraordinary activities, people, and projects that best showcase our strengths and help drive our business forward. We announce these on our annual Smiths Day, a global celebration of Smiths around our network. 

Join us for a great career with competitive compensation and benefits, while helping engineer a better future. 

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website ( Careers - Smiths Group plc )