Procurement Officer

Job Posting Organization:
CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, is a renowned international research organization established in 195

• It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and employs over 2,500 staff members from more than 100 nationalities. CERN operates in multiple countries and is known for its cutting-edge research in particle physics, utilizing the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments to explore the fundamental structure of the universe. The organization is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion, which are integral to its mission and success.

Job Overview:
As a Procurement Officer at CERN, you will play a crucial role in managing the procurement of supplies in high technical domains. This position involves advising and supporting the organization in developing effective procurement strategies that ensure cost efficiency and quality. You will conduct research to identify potential suppliers and participate in their qualification process. Your responsibilities will include preparing price inquiries, conducting market surveys, and issuing invitations to tender in accordance with CERN's Procurement Rules on an international scale. You will analyze offers, prepare adjudication proposals, and submit them to CERN's Management. Additionally, you will be responsible for the preparation, negotiation, and follow-up of numerous orders and contracts. A key aspect of this role is contributing to the advancement of CERN's procurement techniques and tools, influencing their modernization and optimization. You will also be expected to foster and maintain a wide-ranging network of relationships across various levels, both internally and externally, while actively representing CERN at global business events.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Procurement Officer include:

• Advising and supporting the organization in identifying and implementing procurement strategies that ensure cost efficiency and quality.
• Conducting research to identify potential suppliers and participating in their qualification process.
• Preparing price inquiries, market surveys, and invitations to tender in accordance with CERN's Procurement Rules.
• Analyzing offers and preparing proposals for adjudications to be submitted to CERN's Management.
• Ensuring the preparation, negotiation, and follow-up of numerous orders and contracts.
• Contributing to the advancement of CERN's procurement techniques and tools, influencing their modernization and optimization.
• Fostering and sustaining a wide-ranging network of relationships across diverse levels, both internally and externally.
• Actively representing CERN in global business events.
• Managing and following up on the commercial aspects of contracts, including critical examination and detailed analysis of commercial offers, claims, and disputes. 1
• Drafting commercial documents for supply or service contracts and reviewing technical specifications in high technical fields.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Procurement Officer position should possess a Master's degree or equivalent relevant experience in fields such as Economics, Purchasing, Law, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline. Additionally, candidates should have a strong understanding of source-to-contract processes and procurement systems, as well as experience in collaborating with diverse teams and senior stakeholders. Experience in setting category and project-level strategies and executing plans in a matrix-driven decision-making process is also essential. Familiarity with public procurement is desired, along with technical competencies in defining tendering and contracting strategies, negotiating with external suppliers, and drafting commercial documents for contracts.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a Master's degree or equivalent relevant experience in a field related to procurement, such as Economics, Purchasing, Law, Engineering, or Computer Science. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of procurement processes and the technical specifications involved in high technical fields.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have substantial experience in procurement, particularly with a strong understanding of source-to-contract processes and procurement systems. Experience in collaborating with diverse teams and senior stakeholders is essential, as is the ability to set category and project-level strategies and execute plans within a matrix-driven decision-making environment. Experience in public procurement is also desired, which indicates a familiarity with the regulatory and procedural aspects of procurement in a public sector context.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, both spoken and written. Candidates should also demonstrate a commitment to learning French, which is considered beneficial for effective communication within the organization and with external stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position offers a limited duration contract of 2 years, with the possibility of applying for an indefinite position subject to certain conditions. The working hours are set at 40 hours per week, and the job offers hybrid flexibility. The job grade is classified as 6-7, and the reference for this position is IPT-PI-SU-2026-53-LD. CERN provides a competitive salary that is tax-free and increases with relevant experience. Employees are entitled to 30 days of paid leave per year, plus an additional 2 weeks of annual closure. Coverage by CERN's comprehensive health insurance scheme is provided for employees and their families, along with membership in the CERN Pension Fund. Additional benefits include family, child, and infant monthly allowances, a relocation package, and the possibility to extend the contract up to 8 years, with eligibility for indefinite contract tenure.