1 day of remote work per week

Role Summary

We are looking for a hands-on procurement professional contractor to support the CMRE Contracting Office’s mission and workload surge resulting from the increased budget to be executed. The position is within the Procurement and Contracting Branch. The Branch leads the Centre’s needs to procure goods and services to support its activities at its premises and in house laboratory in La Spezia as well as in different maritime missions away.

The incumbent reports to the Head of Procurement & Contracting Branch and is responsible for executing the complete range of Buyer duties as assigned. We are looking for a trained and certified procurement professional with hands-on practical experience of national and/or NATO procurement cradle-to-grave.

Key Tasks/duties

• Support the Procurement & Contracting Branch Head to ensure the timely, cost-effective, and quality acquisition of complex technical components, systems, IT infrastructure, engineering services, or high-value, specialized items.

• Actively conduct sourcing, negotiation and procurement of specialized goods, equipment and technical services in support of the Centre's Program of Work.

• Create and review purchase orders and contract for the Contracting Officer’s signature.

• Under the direction and supervision of the Contracting Officer, manage end-to-end Requests for Proposal (RFP), Requests for Quotation (RFQ), Invitations for Bids (IFBs) and tender processes for complex technical requirements.

• Evaluate supplier offers based on technical proposals, quality, price, and delivery terms – in accordance with solicitation requirements.

• Liaise closely with internal stakeholders (researchers, engineers, programme managers and technical staff) to accurately understand and translate complex technical requirements into procurement specifications.

• Conduct market research and technical analysis to stay current on industry trends, new technologies, and potential supply chain disruptions in the global technical market.

• Assist the Branch Head in the negotiation of contracts and framework agreements with suppliers, ensuring value for money and adherence to procurement rules and standards.

• Ensure proper monitoring and evaluation of suppliers’ performance (quality, on-time delivery, compliance) is conducted and recorded.

• Ensure all procurement activities comply with the NATO Financial Regulations and the STO’s Charter and Financial Procedures, ethical procurement standards,

• Identify and mitigate potential risks within the technical supply chain, including geopolitical, financial, and technical obsolescence risks.

Mandatory Requirements

 Recent and thorough hands-on professional experience (more than 6 years) in procurement methods and procedures involving contract solicitations, negotiations, award and closeout, preferably acquired procuring technical, scientific, engineering, IT hardware/software applying public (national or international organizations’) procurement rules.

 Demonstrable understanding of public procurement best practices and contract law, rules and regulations.

 Certification from a recognized procurement/contracting professional body (e.g. CIPS Level 2 or higher, DAWIA level II or higher)

 Ability to work with minimum supervision and under pressure.

 English SLP 3333

Desirable requirements

 Experience working in a NATO Procurement/Contracting role

 Experience in managing complex / high value (min 1M Euro) solicitations and contract from cradle to grave, including best value trade-off source selections, RFPs, IFIBs, MATOCs, etc.

 Familiarity with e-procurement tools.

 Knowledge of NATO financial and/or procurement rules and procedures.

 Language: English SLP 4444 and Italian SLP 3333.

 Certification from a recognized procurement/contracting professional body (e.g. CIPS Level 3 or higher, DAWIA level III).