Buyer

Are you looking for a new opportunity to take your career to a higher orbit? To join an international group with a successful track record in Space Engineering? A job adapted to your career ambitions and in which you could have an impact for the years to come?

We are looking for a Buyer to work at ESA’s premises at ESAC (Madrid, Spain), ESRIN (Frascati, Italy) or ESTEC (Noordwijk, the Netherlands), where you will support the Agency’s Purchase Office in the acquisition of goods and services across multiple ESA establishments and organisational functions.

The role will involve managing purchasing requests, sourcing quotations, liaising with suppliers and internal stakeholders, placing and administering orders, monitoring deliveries and maintaining purchasing records, helping to ensure the efficient and timely fulfilment of ESA’s operational requirements

About the client and location

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Purchase Office supports the delivery of ESA’s programmes, projects and operational activities through the procurement of goods and services across multiple ESA establishments. As part of a centralised function serving sites throughout Europe, the Purchase Office provides purchasing expertise, supplier management and procurement support, ensuring that procurement activities are conducted efficiently, transparently and in accordance with ESA regulations and procedures.

Tasks and activities

The scope of work will include:

• Managing purchasing requests and supporting the acquisition of goods and services for ESA activities.
• Obtaining, comparing and evaluating supplier quotations and commercial offers.
• Liaising with suppliers and internal stakeholders to ensure purchasing requirements are clearly defined and fulfilled.
• Creating, processing and administering purchase orders in accordance with ESA procedures.
• Monitoring order progress, delivery schedules and supplier performance.
• Following up with suppliers to resolve delivery, invoicing and order-related issues.
• Maintaining accurate purchasing records, supplier information and supporting documentation.
• Assisting with supplier onboarding and the maintenance of vendor data.
• Supporting reporting activities and ensuring purchasing documentation is complete and up to date.
• Contributing to the continuous improvement of purchasing processes and operational efficiency.

Skills and experience

The following skills and experience are mandatory:

• University degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Purchasing, Procurement or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in purchasing, buying, supplier management or a similar commercial role.
• Experience managing purchase orders, quotations and supplier communications.
• Background working with purchasing systems, databases and commercial documentation.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple purchasing activities simultaneously.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Customer focused mindset with strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.

Why should you apply?

• You will have the opportunity to work within leading space organisations across Europe.
• We encourage everyone to think outside the box and to push the boundaries of traditional knowledge. This role is an opportunity to join a forward-thinking company and allows for a deeper understanding of the industry.
• To be part of a company that values integrity, inspiration, care and collaboration.
• Benefits include: competitive remuneration packages; unique career opportunities, including working in other countries; access to training and development programmes; flexible relocation support.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

As part of our commitment to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process, we will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process.