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.

Seniority level

- Mid-Senior level

Employment type

- Full-time

Job function

- Purchasing and Supply Chain

Industries

- Space Research and Technology

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📌 Lead Procurement Specialist (Italia)
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