Job Description

Welcome to Nippon Gases | NIPPON GASES

Operational Buyer (SAP)

Job description

Nippon Sanso is one of the leading companies in the industrial and medical gases business in Europe. Serving over 150,000 customers and 350,000 patients across 14 countries, we offer a comprehensive range of gas-based solutions tailored to sectors including healthcare, food, electronics, manufacturing, chemicals, electronics, and energy among many others.

We are hiring for our Procurement department an Operational Buyer who will be responsible for ensuring the effective execution of procurement activities across assigned categories, supporting the implementation of procurement strategies and delivering operational excellence while ensuring compliance with internal and external regulations.

The role will report to the Procurement Manager UKI and to the Operational Procurement Manager Europe, ensuring alignment between local procurement activities and European operational procurement standards.

The role will act as the key link between procurement strategy and operational execution, ensuring that purchasing activities, supplier performance, and transactional processes are managed efficiently and consistently. The Operational Buyer will be responsible for managing purchase orders, supporting sourcing activities, monitoring supplier performance, resolving procurement-related issues, and ensuring compliance with approved category strategies.

Working closely with internal stakeholders, suppliers, European Category Managers, and the Operational Procurement Manager European team, the Operational Buyer will ensure continuity of supply, support cost control initiatives, maintain accurate procurement data, and drive process improvements across the procure-to-pay cycle.

Main Responsibilities:

This position plays a key role in ensuring that procurement strategies defined by the Regional team and the European Category Managers are effectively executed at local level, delivering compliance, continuity of supply, operational efficiency, and stakeholder satisfaction. Main responsibilities would be as follows:

• Ensure the effective execution of procurement activities in line with approved category strategies and procurement policies.
• Manage day-to-day purchasing activities, including purchase requisitions, purchase orders, supplier communications, order tracking, and issue resolution.
• Support stakeholders in sourcing goods and services through approved suppliers and contracted agreements.
• Work closely with European Category Managers to support the implementation of category strategies and sourcing initiatives.
• Act as the link between local business stakeholders, European Category Managers, and the Operational Procurement Manager Europe to ensure procurement strategies are effectively implemented and executed.
• Monitor supplier performance related to service levels, quality, delivery, and responsiveness, escalating issues where required.
• Act as the primary point of contact for operational procurement matters across assigned business areas.
• Ensure accurate procurement data and documentation are maintained within SAP/SAP S/4HANA and other procurement systems.
• Support tendering and sourcing activities by coordinating quotation requests, supplier communications, commercial evaluations, and documentation.
• Monitor compliance with procurement procedures, contracts, preferred suppliers, and purchasing guidelines.
• Follow up on open purchase orders, overdue deliveries, goods receipt issues, invoice discrepancies, and supplier-related operational challenges.
• Collaborate with finance, engineering, maintenance, operations, and other functional teams to ensure smooth procurement processes.
• Track procurement KPIs and contribute to reporting on supplier performance, savings delivery, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Support supplier onboarding, risk assessments, and contract administration activities.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements, automation, cost optimization, and increased procurement effectiveness.
• Promote procurement best practices and support continuous improvement initiatives across the business.

Job requirements

Academic background:

• Relevant education or professional experience in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business Administration, Finance, Logistics, or related disciplines.
• CIPS or other procurement qualifications would be an advantage.

Experience

• At least 2 years of experience in operational procurement, purchasing, supply chain, or administration roles, preferably within industrial, manufacturing, logistics, or service environments.
• Strong experience managing purchase orders, supplier communications, delivery follow-up, invoice queries, and procurement transactions.
• Advanced hands-on experience with SAP ECC and/or SAP S/4HANA is essential, with the ability to independently manage procurement transactions, troubleshoot issues, maintain master data, and support end-to-end purchase-to-pay processes.
• Strong experience working with ERP systems, procurement tools, and reporting platforms.
• Experience supporting stakeholders and suppliers in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Experience monitoring procurement KPIs, compliance, and operational performance.
• Experience working in cross-functional and multicultural teams would be an advantage.

Languages:

Fluent written and spoken English. Other European languages will be a plus.

Competencies:

• Strong analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proactive and solution-oriented mindset, focused on operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across functions and stakeholders.
• Customer-oriented approach, with a strong focus on stakeholder support and service delivery.
• High attention to detail, ensuring data accuracy, process compliance, and quality standards.
• Ability to work effectively with data, reporting tools, and operational processes.
• Collaborative team player with a strong compliance and process-driven mindset.

Location

The position will be based in Madrid.

Availability to travel within United Kingdon (10%)

Why join Nippon Sanso?

At Nippon Sanso, we’re a reliable partner for key industries, combining global expertise with a local touch to make a real difference. Guided by our commitment to sustainability, we drive innovation through cutting-edge technology and a strong R&D network. Here, you’ll have the autonomy to own your career, with the chance to work on projects that impact communities and shape a carbon-neutral future.

Discover a place where you’ll play a key role in solutions that power major industries and make a difference in everyday life. At Nippon Sanso, our technologies support countless essential processes — often behind the scenes — that keep food fresh, enhance electronic chip production, purify water, and provide critical respiratory treatments. With a solid, diversified presence across Europe, we’re a reliable and stable company dedicated to constant innovation and to creating a healthier, more sustainable future.

Being part of The Gas Professionals will lead you to:

🌍 Think beyond the visible to explore and develop new solutions for a sustainable tomorrow.

🚀 Move and challenge yourself with the support of a collaborative team and inspiring leaders.

🌱Grow amplify your talent to its fullest potential, reaching as far as you aim.

What we offer:

• Remuneration and Benefits 💰: We offer a range of bonuses, long-term incentives, competitive salaries, which we review each year to remain competitive in the market. In addition, we have a wide range of benefits as a company, you can choose what suits you best: childcare, transport card, pension plan, sports package, health insurance, etc.
• Worklife balance 🏖: We have 29 days off a year! Plus, the 24th and 31st of December.
• Flexible schedule 🕓: you'll have the freedom to adjust your work hours to accommodate your personal needs and responsibilities.
• Home Office Policy 💻: With our hybrid work plan, you can enjoy working from the comfort of your home.
• Diversity and inclusion 😊: Be part of an inclusive, diverse culture, where everyone’s contribution is respected. A place where individual talent is recognized and nurtured.
• Sustainability 🍀: We enable a carbon neutral world. Nippon Sanso spearheads the efforts to achieving zero CO2 emissions by helping industries in transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
• Safety first 🦺: We create a safe environment where our employees can thrive. In the past two decades, we have been honored 17 times as the safest company in Europe by the Industrial Gases Association (EIGA).

About Us

Nippon Gases is one of the leading companies in the industrial and medical gases business in Europe. We service more than 150,000 customers and have a diversified involvement in broad industries such as healthcare, food, manufacturing, metallurgy, chemical products, electronics and energy. We aim to create social value through innovative gas solutions that increase industrial productivity, enhance human well-being and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Making life better through gas technology.

What can you expect from us?

We are an industrial company in which safety and integrity come first, as it could not be otherwise. We bet on the talent of each of our employees, creating opportunities for development and learning, as well as offering an environment of personal conciliation. Our employees are the key to achieve high customer satisfaction and be, day by day, your choice. We have a high commitment to society and respect for the environment. These values make us a great company with solid and continuous financial results.

Equal Opportunity Employment Policy

Nippon Gases is a company committed to equality and promotes an inclusive work environment free of any type of discrimination and harassment. We believe that the diversity of talent strengthens and increases our success. We have equality policies that guarantee employability and increase opportunities for all candidates.