Head of Contracts and Procurement

Official title: Head of Contracts and Procurement

Location: Garching bei München, Germany — ESO Headquarters | Employment information: Fixed-term, three-year contract

The Head of Contracts and Procurement leads ESO's procurement and contract management functions and reports to the Director of Administration. The vacancy describes responsibility for setting strategic direction, strengthening commercial governance and ensuring that procurement contributes meaningfully to organisational delivery.

The position leads an international department of procurement and contract management professionals across Germany and Chile. It requires a leader who can work across cultures and disciplines, develop people, negotiate effectively and maintain sound professional judgement when commercial choices involve complex scientific, engineering or infrastructure requirements.

The advertised responsibilities combine strategic direction with practical leadership of procurement activity. A suitable candidate will be able to explain how commercial decisions were supported by clear governance, how relationships with suppliers and stakeholders were managed, and how systems or methods were improved without losing sight of the organisation's wider objectives.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for ESO's procurement and contract management functions.
• Develop productive partnerships with suppliers, internal stakeholders and international collaborators.
• Enable major projects through procurement solutions and commercial leadership suited to complex programmes.
• Lead and develop an international team working across Germany and Chile.
• Advance continuous improvement, innovation and transformation through digital tools, systems and working methods.
• Protect value and manage risk through effective governance, negotiation and contract management.
• Ensure that procurement remains a strategic enabler of ESO's scientific mission.
• Work with experts, project managers and senior stakeholders on observatory, technology and infrastructure activities.

Qualifications

• A university degree in a procurement-related discipline such as business administration, economics, law or a related field.
• Significant procurement and contract management experience in a complex international environment, with at least ten years stated in the vacancy.
• A record of leading and developing high-performing teams, with a minimum of five years of leadership experience.
• Experience building trusted working relationships across diverse cultures and disciplines.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Preferred: Experience in scientific, engineering, technology, infrastructure or international organisations.
• Preferred: Additional procurement or contract management credentials, such as CIPS, and qualifications in project or contract management.

Skills and Competencies

• Exceptional negotiation, stakeholder-management and influencing capability.
• Commercial insight for navigating complex challenges with confidence.
• Strong organisation and coordination for managing demanding workloads effectively.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and organisational transformation.
• Integrity, transparency and professional judgement in commercial decisions.
• Ability to collaborate with people from different cultural and professional backgrounds.
• An advantage: Knowledge of other European languages, preferably Spanish.

Benefits and Employment Information

• Fixed-term contract of three years, subject to successful completion of the probation period.
• Competitive salary; for applicants from ESO member states, the vacancy states that the salary is free of income tax.
• Comprehensive pension scheme alongside medical, educational and other social benefits.
• Financial help for relocating a family and support with childcare placement, as stated by the employer.
• A regulated mobile working policy that allows hybrid working for work-life balance purposes.

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