Deputy Service Manager / Lead Procurement Specialist Opportunity – European Space Agency

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

Overview

Octagon Professionals International is seeking a Deputy Service Manager / Lead Procurement Specialist to help lead ESA’s Purchase Office Support Service. You will be the operational engine behind the service - deputising for the Service Manager, steering complex procurement, and keeping delivery consistent across ESA’s establishments. It is a hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys both strategy and detail. You will join Octagon, a professional-services partner that has worked alongside ESA and other international institutions for more than 35 years.

Role & Responsibilities

• Act as deputy to the Service Manager and lead the service in their absence.
• Coordinate operational delivery across all ESA sites.
• Ensure procurement processes are applied consistently and correctly.
• Manage complex, high-value procurement cases from start to finish.
• Mentor and support procurement staff across the team.
• Drive service improvement and harmonisation initiatives.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Degree in Procurement, Law, Business or Engineering.
• 8-10 years of procurement experience.
• Strong commercial and contractual knowledge.
• Proven leadership experience.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder skills; fluent English.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience within ESA or a comparable international or public procurement environment.
• Professional procurement qualification (e.g. CIPS).
• Experience with SAP or an equivalent ERP system.
• Experience coordinating teams across multiple locations.

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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