Purchasing Manager

Irish Aviation Authority; Dublin; On-site; EUR 84,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cycle to work

Travel support (Bus/Luas/Rail)

Employee Assistance Programme

Health & wellbeing initiatives

Learning & development

Job summary

The Irish Aviation Authority, based in Dublin, seeks a Purchasing Manager to lead the procurement function, ensuring compliance with Irish and EU public procurement laws while delivering value for money. You will develop strategy, oversee tenders, contracts, and supplier performance, and work with senior stakeholders to achieve organisation objectives.

You will guide a team, manage risks, and drive continuous improvement in procurement processes, reporting to senior management.

Qualifications

• Must have a relevant professional/academic qualification (Business degree and/or IPPM/CIPS) or equivalent.
• Minimum 3 years purchasing experience, incl. 2+ years in public sector.
• Deep knowledge of public procurement legislation and practice.
• Excellent verbal and written interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team; proactive and analytical.

Responsibilities

• Lead the procurement function and team to deliver compliant procurement outcomes.
• Develop procurement strategy and annual procurement plan.
• Manage high‑value contracts and supplier relationships; monitor performance.
• Ensure procurement processes comply with EU/Irish public procurement directives.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Public procurement

Team management

Communication

Independence

Problem solving

Education

Business degree

Tools

Office 365

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The IAA is the civil aviation regulator for Ireland. We are responsible for the regulation of safety, security, and consumer interests. Our responsibilities are set out in the framework of applicable global, European, and national legislation/regulation.

Job Description

The Purchasing Manager will be responsible for leading and managing the organisation's procurement function, ensuring that all procurement activities are conducted in accordance with Irish and EU public procurement legislation, government procurement policy, and organisational governance requirements.

The role will develop procurement strategy, provide expert procurement advice, oversee low to high value IAA procurements, manage supplier and contract performance, and promote value for money while supporting the achievement of organisational objectives.

The postholder will lead the purchasing team and will work closely with senior management, budget holders, and external stakeholders to deliver compliant, effective, and sustainable procurement outcomes.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, motivate, and support the team to deliver organisational and team objectives by setting clear priorities, performance expectations, and timelines, while fostering an inclusive, professional, and adaptable working environment. Manage recruitment, workforce planning and succession planning within the team to ensure the team has the capability, capacity and talent required to meet current and future organisational needs.

Performance Management & Coaching

• Provide clear guidance, constructive feedback, and timely intervention to address performance issues and support employee development.

Planning, Organisation & Delivery of Results

• Take accountability for delivering objectives by planning, prioritising, and managing multiple workstreams; delegate effectively; and apply appropriate systems, controls, and quality assurance to ensure high‑quality, timely outcomes.

Decision-Making, Problem-Solving & Strategic Awareness

• Make sound, evidence‑based decisions, considering organisational, policy, and stakeholder impacts, and take responsibility for outcomes.
• Identify and support opportunities to improve processes, performance, and service delivery, , fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, accountability and customer focus, and contributing positively to change initiatives.

Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Build strong and effective relationships with internal stakeholders, external suppliers and key partners to support the successful implementation of procurement initiatives and processes. Act as an effective link between reporting employees and senior management, communicating clearly and confidently in both written and verbal formats. Educate, influence and collaborate with stakeholders on public procurement best practice, fostering strong engagement and ensuring decisions are made in the best interests of the organisation.

Self-development

• Demonstrate commitment to continuous professional development to enhance capability and effectiveness in the role.

The Purchasing Manager role includes the following activities:

• Develop and implement the organisation's procurement strategy and annual procurement plan.
• Align procurement activities with organisational objectives and public sector procurement policies.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimisation, service improvement, innovation, and collaboration.
• Support the delivery of organisational transformation and strategic initiatives through effective procurement planning.
• Promote best practice procurement across the organisation.
• Maintain procurement policies, procedures, templates, and guidance.
• Monitor procurement compliance through facilitating audits and regular reporting.
• Manage procurement risks and implement mitigation measures.
• Provide authoritative advice on procurement governance and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure procurement competitions are conducted fairly, transparently, and in accordance with procurement law.
• Ensure the compliance of requisitions to purchase orders on the purchase order system (SmartOffice).
• Supporting the administrative processes relating to supplier on‑boarding and the ongoing maintenance of supplier records and associated requirements.
• Ensure contracts and service level agreements concluded meet all the business and operational needs of the organisation.
• Manage high‑value contracts and supplier relationships.
• Oversee contract performance monitoring and supplier reviews.
• Support contract renewal and contract exit planning.
• Support the achievement of value for money objectives across organisational expenditure.
• Analyse procurement spend and identify opportunities for savings and efficiencies.
• Ensure robust commercial evaluation of procurement proposals.
• Contribute to financial planning and budgeting processes.

Ensure compliance with:

• EU Public Procurement Directives.
• Irish public procurement regulations.
• Office of Government Procurement (OGP) guidelines.
• Circulars issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
• Internal governance and financial control policies and procedures.

Manage the end-to‑end tendering process from tender development through to contract award in accordance with public procurement rules, involving all relevant stakeholders at each stage of the process. This will involve preparing/overseeing the preparation of:

• Contract award recommendations.
• Issuing all tenders on relevant websites and management of this process.
• Ensure procurement processes consider environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives where appropriate.
• Support the implementation of green public procurement policies.
• Encourage supplier diversity, innovation, and social value outcomes.
• Prepare procurement reports for senior management and the Board/Audit Risk and Finance Committee.
• Provide management information on procurement activity, savings, compliance, risk, and contract performance.
• Manage all relevant administrative duties to ensure good record keeping and knowledge sharing.

Skills, Competencies, and Qualifications

The successful candidate should have the following qualifications and skills:

Required

• Relevant Professional / Academic Qualifications: Business degree and/or Purchasing qualification e.g. Institute of Public Procurement Management (IPPM) (formerly IIPMM), Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), or equivalent professional procurement body.
• A minimum 3 years purchasing experience, including at least two years in a public sector environment.
• Must demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of public procurement legislation and practice.
• Excellent verbal and written interpersonal and communication skills with previous suppliers and/or direct customer experience.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Self-confidence, initiative, and drive with the ability to perform within a team.
• Strong Data analytical skills.
• Experience in stakeholder management, influencing and engagement.
• Excellent IT skills and working knowledge of Office 365 and Microsoft Office Suite applications such as Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Displays a high standard of professionalism at all times.
• Positive flexible attitude, be committed and keen to learn new skills/systems.
• Purchasing or other financial management system experience.

Key Competencies Required for Effective Performance

• Leadership
• Analysis & Decision Making
• Management & Delivery of Results
• Interpersonal & Communication Skills
• Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self-Development

Selection Process

• shortlisting of candidates, on the basis of the information contained in their application
• a competitive preliminary interview.
• psychometric testing.
• work sample/role play/media exercise, and any other tests or exercises that may be deemed appropriate.
• a second competitive interview which may include a presentation.

Salary Rate

The salary range for this role is point 1 €83,622 to point €102,342.

Probationary Period

The position is subject to a probationary period of 6 months from the date of actual commencement and is subject to the provision of satisfactory performance during that period.

Hours of attendance will be fixed from time to time but will amount to not less than 41 hours gross per week. The successful candidate will be required to work additional hours from time to time as may be reasonable and necessary for the proper performance of their duties subject to the limits set down in the working time regulations.

Annual Leave excluding public holidays is 26 days per annum rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service.

Pension

The successful candidate will on date of joining become a member of the Irish Aviation Authority Defined Contribution Plan 2025

Membership of the Irish Aviation Authority Defined Contribution Plan 2025 is compulsory.

Employee and matching employer contribution rates are:

Employee Employer

4% 8%

5% 10%

6% 12%

Full details of the scheme are contained in the explanatory booklet which is available on request.

Other Benefits

• Access to cycle to work scheme
• Tax free Bus/ Luas/ Rail to assist with travel costs to and from work
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to IAA health and wellbeing initiatives
• Learning and Development opportunities

Location

The IAA is based in the Times Building, 11-12 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2 near Trinity College. We are convenient to all Luas lines; several Dublin Bus routes and are about 5 minutes from Tara Street Railway Station. We are also just minutes from O’Connell Street and St. Stephen’s Green.

The IAA promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from people from diverse backgrounds and under‑represented groups including, but not limited to, ethnic minority and people with disabilities. IAA firmly believes that such diversity enriches our workplace culture and drives innovation.

Accommodations during the application and interview process may be requested directly to [e-mail].