Lead Procurement Specialist

Octagon Professionals International; Noordwijk; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working at ESTEC Noordwijk

Visa and relocation support

International, multicultural workplace

Job summary

Octagon Professionals International seeks a Deputy Service Manager / Lead Procurement Specialist to help run ESA’s Purchase Office Support Service, deputising for the Service Manager. You will lead procurement across ESA sites, ensure processes are followed, manage high‑value cases, mentor staff and push service improvement in an international public‑sector environment.

Hybrid work at ESTEC Noordwijk (Netherlands) or other ESA sites is available; visa and relocation support may be provided, with

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of procurement experience.
• Degree in Procurement, Law, Business or Engineering.
• Strong commercial and contractual knowledge.
• Proven leadership experience.
• Fluent English; experience in ESA or international/public procurement.

Responsibilities

• Act as deputy to the Service Manager and lead the service in their absence.
• Coordinate operational delivery across ESA sites.
• Ensure procurement processes are applied consistently.
• Manage complex, high-value procurement cases from start to finish.
• Mentor procurement staff and drive service improvements.
• Coordinate teams across multiple locations.

Skills

Leadership

Procurement

Communication

Stakeholder management

Contract management

Education

Degree in Procurement, Law, Business or Engineering

Tools

SAP

Job description

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

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.
• 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.
• Experience within ESA or a comparable international or public procurement environment.
• 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.