Procurement Assistant (IPT-PI-SU-2026-220-GRAE)

CERN; Genf; On-site; CHF 59,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stipend CHF 5266/5793 per month

30 days paid leave

Health insurance

Pension Fund

Relocation package

Language training

Job summary

CERN is seeking a Procurement Support Officer within the PI group to process purchase orders up to 3 000 CHF, solicit quotations, and analyze offers to ensure cost-effective purchasing for the organisation.

You will negotiate terms, coordinate with suppliers and technical officers, and maintain supplier records in CERN's eProcurement system, contributing to efficient procurement operations in a diverse, international environment.

Qualifications

• Experience or exposure to procurement, purchasing, or contract administration (through studies, internships, or initial work experience).
• Prior exposure to an international and multicultural working environment.

Responsibilities

• Process, place, and follow up on purchase orders up to 3 000 CHF, ensuring compliance with CERN's Procurement Rules.
• Request quotations from suppliers and conduct comparative analysis of offers received, supporting sound and cost-effective purchasing decisions.
• Negotiate commercial terms: payment terms, delivery schedule and transport conditions, and general conditions.
• Liaise with suppliers to resolve delivery delays, non-conformities, purchase order amendments and invoicing issues.
• Liaise with technical officers to resolve discrepancies, inconsistencies, and operational issues arising during/ post purchase order processing, ensuring timely and accurate resolution.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure efficient procurement operations.
• Provide direct support to suppliers throughout the registration process in CERN's supplier database / eProcurement, ensuring the accurate verification, maintenance, and completeness of supplier records.

Skills

Excellent communication

Attention to detail

English (written & spoken)

French learning

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree

Job description

You will join the Procurement and Industrial Services Group (PI), the central unit responsible for procuring all supplies and services for the organisation, ensuring that the specified and contractual technical, delivery and performance requirements are met at the lowest possible overall cost whilst achieving balanced industrial returns for CERN Member States and respecting CERN Procurement Rules.

Your responsibilities

• Process, place, and follow up on purchase orders up to 3 000 CHF, ensuring compliance with CERN's Procurement Rules.
• Request quotations from suppliers and conduct comparative analysis of offers received, supporting sound and cost-effective purchasing decisions.
• Negotiate commercial terms: payment terms, delivery schedule and transport conditions, and general conditions.
• Liaise with suppliers to resolve delivery delays, non-conformities, purchase order amendments and invoicing issues.
• Liaise with technical officers to resolve discrepancies, inconsistencies, and operational issues arising during/ post purchase order processing, ensuring timely and accurate resolution.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure efficient procurement operations.
• Provide direct support to suppliers throughout the registration process in CERN's supplier database / eProcurement, ensuring the accurate verification, maintenance, and completeness of supplier records.

Your profile

• Experience or exposure to procurement, purchasing, or contract administration (through studies, internships, or initial work experience).
• Prior exposure to an international and multicultural working environment.

Skills

• Excellent communication, being able to resolve supplier claims.
• Attention to detail and the ability to deal with a large number of purchase orders.
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Eligibility criteria

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State .
• By the application deadline, you have a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation in Engineering, Purchasing, Economics (or a related field) and your highest educational qualification is either a Bachelor's or Master's degree .
• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
• Applicants without University degree are not eligible.
• Applicants with a PhD are not eligible.

Job closing date: 28.09.2026 at 23:59 CEST.

Contract duration: 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum.

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job flexibility: Hybrid

Target start date: 01-January-2027

Job reference: IPT-PI-SU-2026-220-GRAE

Field of work: Procurement

Benchmark job: 5B0150 - Procurement Support Officer

Global Benefits

• A monthly net stipend of either 5266 or 5793Swiss Francs per month depending on your degree.
• 30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks annual closure.
• Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health insurance scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
• Family, child and infant monthly allowances depending on your individual circumstances.
• A relocation package (installation grant and travel expenses) depending on your individual circumstances.
• Possibility to extend your contract up to 36 months.
• On-the-job and formal training including language classes.

Overview of CERN -Discover a world where the impossible is made possible!

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Every day, we face exciting new challenges and opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge research that shapes our understanding of the universe. We meet these challenges through the diverse perspectives within our teams, ensuring every contribution is valued and driving our shared sense of inclusion and purpose. Diversity is a core value of CERN since its foundation, and it remains central to our mission and continued success.

If you are ready to be part of a dynamic, inclusive community pushing the boundaries of knowledge, CERN is the place where your curiosity and skills can thrive. Be part of our mission to uncover what lies at the heart of the universe! TAKE PART!

More information about us, here: careers.cern