Contract Manager

About Us -

Founded in 1917, John Crane is a global leader in the design, manufacturing, and engineering of mission critical flow control solutions for increased efficiency, emission reductions and energy transformation. Our products include mechanical seals and systems, couplings, bearings, filtration systems and predictive digital monitoring technologies. John Crane customer service is accessed through a global network of more than 200 global sites in over 50 countries employing more than 6,000 employees worldwide. We partner with our customers and help them meet the latest environmental standards and keep their operations safe and controlled.

John Crane is part of Smiths Group, For over 170 years, Smiths has been improving our world through smarter engineering. Our technology benefits millions of people every day – making travel safer, supporting sustainable energy transition, efficiently heating, cooling our homes, and helping our world stay connected.

Now let’s hear it directly from the creators – About | John Crane

Connect with us on LinkedIn: John Crane: LinkedIn

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Project Engineer reporting to the UK Sales Office Manager within the Manchester site. As a Projects Engineer you will provide post order Technical sales support to designated Customers (and the external John Crane Sales personnel who support them) from receipt of Customer Purchase Order through to delivery, and any post-delivery related issues. The workload is primarily high in complexity and value, covering all product range, seals, couplings, systems & filtration.

This role is based from our Manchester site working Monday to Friday normal office hours. (hybrid)

John Crane is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to crafting an inclusive environment for all employees.

Duties & Responsibilities (not limited to)

• Manage Customer Purchase Orders from receipt to product delivery, including documentation and certification.
• Set and manage Customer expectations on order lifecycle, scope changes, and delivery schedules.
• Ensure exceptional Customer Service by understanding technical requirements and advising on product integration and best practices.
• Handle proposals, design changes, and component drawing specifications using company systems.
• Liaise with the Global Projects Office as needed.
• Conduct detailed contract reviews for commercial and technical compliance; establish and monitor project milestones; clarify terms and issue Order Acknowledgements.
• Manage scope changes and coordinate with supply chain and Customers to capture variations.
• Coordinate certification, documentation, and inspection/test plans (ITP) with supplying plants and Customers.
• Resolve investigations related to accounts, credit, returns, and customer complaints, ensuring proper issue management in business systems.
• Support sales initiatives through planned Customer and supplier visits, producing detailed visit reports with agreed actions.
• Mentor and train team members; provide coverage when needed.
• Build strong relationships with Customers, suppliers, internal manufacturing plants, and key departments (Sales, Engineering, Procurement, QA).
• Represent Customer interests constructively to improve company service levels.
• Support team activities such as sales reporting, meetings, and coverage during absences.
• Participate in quality audits and procedure updates.
• Serve as liaison between Internal Sales, External Sales, Engineering, and Product Support Engineers for product updates and changes.

The Individual

• Ideally has some form of degree (e.g., BSc, BEng, HND level in some technical discipline)
• Can read and understand mechanical / process datasheets, P&ID’s, etc.
• Can read and accurately interpret information on drawings for Pumps, compressors, mixers.
• Ideally understand the various types of rotating equipment and how their design can affect the design of a seal, coupling, systems and filtration.
• Understands the operation of rotating equipment and how this can affect the support system and filtration requirements.
• Has a good understanding of industry standards - API, ASME etc
• Has experience of project specifications - Pressure Vessels, paint specifications etc..
• Possesses applications knowledge / understanding of fluids, pressures, temperatures, viscosities etc.
• Has worked in an ISO 9001 environment, understanding the requirements of the standard and has developed Quality plans, documentation for contracts, etc in the past.
• Has knowledge of varying materials (metals, elastomers, carbons, carbides, coatings, etc) their process of manufacture and main advantages and disadvantages.
• Has experience of receiving comprehensive internal order handover packs
• Has the experience / capability / evidence of adopting some basic RCA philosophy to identify problems with existing products, processes, installations, etc and to propose solutions.
• Good understanding of the relevant business system

Diversity & Inclusion

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, colour, 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 John Crane, 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 – John Crane) or LinkedIn.