Service Manager Opportunity – European Space Agency – Procurement

Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk (Netherlands) – ESRIN, Frascati (Italy) – ESAC, Madrid (Spain)

Overview

Octagon Professionals International is recruiting a Service Manager to lead the delivery of the European Space Agency’s Purchase Office Support Service. This is a rare opportunity to head a single, integrated procurement service operating across ESA’s major European establishments. You will set the standard for how procurement is delivered, harmonise ways of working across sites, and act as the trusted operational partner to ESA. Octagon has supported ESA and other international institutions for more than 35 years, and you will lead a team that values expertise, integrity and cultural intelligence.

Role & Responsibilities

• Lead overall service delivery and contract management for the Purchase Office.
• Act as the single operational point of contact with ESA.
• Harmonise procurement processes and procedures across all ESA establishments.
• Develop common working practices and drive continuous improvement.
• Coordinate communication and collaboration between all service locations.
• Manage resources, workload and team performance across sites.
• Monitor KPIs, report on service performance and lead quality assurance.
• Manage risks, resolve escalations and review complex procurement and contractual issues.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Degree in Law, Procurement, Business or an equivalent field.
• Proven legal background in procurement and contract management, as required by the Tender Conditions.
• 10+ years of procurement experience, including 5+ years in service management.
• Demonstrated experience managing geographically dispersed teams.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Fluent, professional English (written and spoken).

Desireable Skills & Experience

• Experience delivering procurement within ESA or a comparable international organisation.
• Professional procurement qualification (e.g. CIPS).
• Experience harmonising processes across multiple countries or sites.
• Familiarity with SAP or an equivalent ERP procurement system.

Package

• Competitive salary: commensurate with skills and experience.
• Fixed-term contract aligned to the ESA Purchase Office Support Service, with strong potential for extension.
• Primary base at ESTEC (Noordwijk, Netherlands), with collaboration and occasional travel across ESA establishments (ESRIN, ESAC and others).
• Comprehensive benefits, plus visa and relocation support where applicable - Octagon is a recognised IND sponsor.
• An international, multicultural working environment and real scope for professional development.

Ready for this new challenge? Apply now.

Octagon Professionals International is a full-service recruitment and HR services firm with nearly 40 years of experience in the European and international market. Our large network of professionals across multiple functional areas, and multi-national team provide flexible solutions customised to individual client needs.

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