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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

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 monitoring procurement KPIs, compliance, and operational performance. Fluent written and spoken English. 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.

At Nippon

Sanso, we're a reliable partner for key industries, combining general 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.

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. 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.

Home Office Policy : With our hybrid work plan, you can enjoy working from the comfort of your home. In the past two decades, we have been honored 17 times as the safest company in Europe by the Industrial Gases Association (EIGA).

📌 Inkoper in opleiding (Madrid)
🏢 Nippon Sanso Europe
📍 Madrid