Purchase & Procurement Officer

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 Purchase & Procurement Officer 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 centralised Purchase Office in delivering procurement and purchasing activities across a broad range of ESA programmes, projects and operational functions.

The role will involve managing procurement requests, advising stakeholders on purchasing strategies, conducting supplier evaluations, negotiating contractual and commercial terms, and ensuring compliance with ESA procurement procedures and regulations, helping to support the efficient delivery of ESA’s activities across multiple ESA establishments and directorates.

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 procurement activities throughout the purchase order lifecycle.
• Reviewing and assessing procurement requests in accordance with applicable procedures and regulations.
• Advising stakeholders on procurement methods and purchasing strategies.
• Conducting supplier evaluations and prepare procurement recommendations.
• Negotiating commercial and contractual terms with suppliers.
• Drafting, administering and managing purchase orders, framework agreements and related contractual documentation.
• Ensuring compliance with procurement policies, legal requirements and internal governance processes.
• Managing supplier relationships and support the resolution of procurement issues.
• Identifying opportunities to improve procurement processes and purchasing practices.
• Providing procurement guidance and support to internal stakeholder

Skills and experience

The following skills and experience are mandatory:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Law or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in procurement, purchasing, contract management or a related field.
• Experience managing procurement activities throughout the purchasing lifecycle.
• Knowledge of commercial, contractual and procurement principles.
• Background in liaising with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Desire to work both autonomously and as part of a team, in an international multicultural environment.
• Solution oriented mindset, with a customer focused communication skill.
• 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.