Buyer, Supply Chain​/Logistics

Company Description

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

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…