Lead Procurement Specialist

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

Location: ESRIN, Frascati (Italy)

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 multinational team provide flexible solutions customised to individual client needs.

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