Procurement and Supply Chain Apprentice

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, 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. 

We're looking for a detail-oriented and organized Procurement and Supply Chain Apprentice to join our team in Slough, United Kingdom. This is an excellent opportunity to launch your career in supply chain management while gaining hands-on experience in procurement operations. You will work alongside experienced professionals to support the full procurement lifecycle, from vendor selection to order fulfillment, while developing a comprehensive understanding of supply chain principles and best practices.

• Assist in processing purchase orders, invoices, and supplier documentation with accuracy and attention to detail
• Support vendor evaluation and selection processes by gathering and analyzing supplier information
• Maintain and update inventory records and procurement databases using spreadsheet applications and company systems
• Coordinate with internal departments to understand procurement needs and ensure timely order placement
• Monitor delivery schedules and follow up with suppliers to ensure on-time shipment of materials
• Assist in organizing and filing procurement documentation in compliance with company procedures
• Support cost analysis activities by collecting pricing data and preparing comparative reports
• Participate in inventory management tasks, including stock counts and reconciliation
• Communicate professionally with suppliers, internal teams, and stakeholders via email and phone
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives by identifying inefficiencies and suggesting solutions
• Learn and apply supply chain software systems and tools under supervision

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and documentation
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other spreadsheet applications
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Analytical mindset with ability to interpret data and identify trends
• Problem-solving ability and willingness to take initiative
• Professional demeanor and ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams
• Basic understanding of supply chain and procurement concepts (preferred)
• Experience with procurement software, ERP systems, or inventory management tools (preferred)
• Familiarity with vendor management or supplier relationship concepts (preferred)
• Any relevant work experience in administrative, logistics, or supply chain environments (preferred)

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, Women@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)