Principal Procurement & Commercial Expert Opportunity – European Space Agency

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

Overview

Octagon Professionals International is recruiting a Principal Procurement & Commercial Expert to provide technical leadership on ESA’s Purchase Office Support Service. You will be the service’s senior authority on procurement methodology, commercial strategy and complex contracts. You will shape how the service approaches its most demanding cases and help raise capability across the whole team. Octagon has partnered with ESA and other international organisations for more than 35 years.

Role & Responsibilities

• Lead complex procurement strategies and commercial negotiations.
• Develop and manage Framework Agreements.
• Provide procurement governance and policy advice.
• Interpret contracts and advise on intellectual property and licensing matters.
• Develop common procurement methodologies across the service.
• Coach and mentor procurement staff.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Degree in Procurement, Law or Business.
• 12-15 years of procurement experience.
• Extensive experience in strategic sourcing and commercial negotiations.
• Strong knowledge of international procurement.
• Excellent communication skills; fluent English.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Professional procurement qualification (e.g. CIPS).
• Experience within ESA or a comparable international organisation.
• Experience with IP, licensing and complex contractual frameworks.
• Familiarity with SAP or an equivalent ERP 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.
• Hybrid working at ESTEC (Noordwijk, Netherlands), ESRIN (Frascati, Italy) or ESAC (Madrid, Spain)
• 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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