Service Manager - Procurement

Octagon Professionals International; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Visa sponsorship

Relocation support

International environment

Job summary

Octagon Professionals International seeks a Service Manager to lead ESA's Purchase Office Support Service. You will head a single, integrated procurement service across major European establishments, setting standards and harmonising ways of working.

You will manage a dispersed team, monitor KPIs, drive improvements, and ensure compliance with tender conditions. Fluent English and proven procurement leadership are essential; ESA locations include ESTEC in Noordwijk and other sites.

Qualifications

• Degree in Law, Procurement, Business or an equivalent field.
• Proven legal background in procurement and contract management, as required by the Tender Conditions.
• 10+ years of procurement experience, including 5+ years in service management.
• Demonstrated experience managing geographically dispersed teams.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Fluent, professional English (written and spoken).

Responsibilities

• Lead overall service delivery and contract management for the Purchase Office.
• Act as the single operational point of contact with ESA.
• Harmonise procurement processes and procedures across all ESA establishments.
• Develop common working practices and drive continuous improvement.
• Coordinate communication and collaboration between all service locations.
• Manage resources, workload and team performance across sites.
• Monitor KPIs, report on service performance and lead quality assurance.
• Manage risks, resolve escalations and review complex procurement and contractual issues.

Skills

Procurement experience

Service management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

English proficiency

Education

Degree in Law/Procurement/Business

Tools

SAP

Job description

Service Manager Opportunity – European Space Agency – Procurement

Overview

Octagon Professionals International is recruiting a Service Manager to lead the delivery of the European Space Agency’s Purchase Office Support Service. This is a rare opportunity to head a single, integrated procurement service operating across ESA’s major European establishments. You will set the standard for how procurement is delivered, harmonise ways of working across sites, and act as the trusted operational partner to ESA. Octagon has supported ESA and other international institutions for more than 35 years, and you will lead a team that values expertise, integrity and cultural intelligence.

Role & Responsibilities

• Lead overall service delivery and contract management for the Purchase Office.
• Act as the single operational point of contact with ESA.
• Harmonise procurement processes and procedures across all ESA establishments.
• Develop common working practices and drive continuous improvement.
• Coordinate communication and collaboration between all service locations.
• Manage resources, workload and team performance across sites.
• Monitor KPIs, report on service performance and lead quality assurance.
• Manage risks, resolve escalations and review complex procurement and contractual issues.
• Degree in Law, Procurement, Business or an equivalent field.
• Proven legal background in procurement and contract management, as required by the Tender Conditions.
• 10+ years of procurement experience, including 5+ years in service management.
• Demonstrated experience managing geographically dispersed teams.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Fluent, professional English (written and spoken).

Desireable Skills & Experience

• Experience delivering procurement within ESA or a comparable international organisation.
• Experience harmonising processes across multiple countries or sites.
• Familiarity with SAP or an equivalent ERP procurement system.

Package

• Competitive salary: commensurate with skills and experience.
• Fixed-term contract aligned to the ESA Purchase Office Support Service, with strong potential for extension.
• Primary base at ESTEC (Noordwijk, Netherlands), with collaboration and occasional travel across ESA establishments (ESRIN, ESAC and others).
• 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.