Senior Buyer

The Senior Buyer is responsible for executing the full range of procurement duties within the NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE), focusing on sourcing, negotiation, and procurement of specialized goods and technical services to support maritime research and experimentation activities. The role involves managing complex contracts, ensuring compliance with NATO procurement regulations, and liaising with internal stakeholders to meet technical requirements.

Responsibilities

• Support the Branch Head to ensure timely, cost-effective, and quality acquisition of complex technical components, systems, IT infrastructure, engineering services, or high-value, specialized items.
• Responsible for sourcing, negotiation and procurement of specialized goods, equipment and technical services in support of the Centre's Program of Work.
• Review and sign contracts within the delegated procurement authority.
• Assume overall responsibility, on behalf of the Contracting Officer, for assigned contracts from negotiation through contract closeout.
• Manage end-to-end Requests for Proposal (RFP), Requests for Quotation (RFQ), Invitations for Bids (IFBs) and tender processes for complex technical requirements under supervision.
• Evaluate suppliers’ offers based on technical proposals, quality, price, and delivery terms.
• Liaise closely with internal stakeholders to accurately understand and translate complex requirements into procurement specifications.
• Conduct market research to stay current on industry trends, new technologies, and potential supply chain disruptions.
• Assist in 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).
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with NATO Financial Regulations, STO’s Charter and Financial Procedures, and ethical procurement standards.

Requirements

• Higher vocational training in public procurement/contracting with at least 4 years post-related experience or a secondary educational qualification with at least 6 years post-related experience.
• At least 4 years recent and thorough hands-on professional experience in procurement methods and procedures involving contract solicitations, negotiations, award and closeout, preferably procuring technical, scientific, engineering, IT hardware/software material and related services.
• Demonstrable understanding of public procurement best practices and contract law, rules and regulations.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision and under pressure.
• Thorough knowledge of one of the two NATO languages (English or French), both written and spoken, is essential; some knowledge of the other is desirable.
• Certification from a recognized procurement/contracting professional body (e.g. CIPS Level 2, DAWIA).
• Bachelor’s degree at a nationally recognised/certified University in Law, Engineering, Science, Economics, Business Management or related field is desirable.
• Vocational training in public procurement/contracting is desirable.
• Experience working within a research, industrial or international environment is desirable.
• Experience in managing complex/high value (minimum 1M Euro) solicitations and contracts from cradle to grave, including best value source selections, IFIBs, MATOCs, etc., is desirable.
• Familiarity with e-procurement tools is desirable.
• Knowledge of NATO financial and/or procurement rules and procedures is desirable.
• English SLP 4444 and Italian SLP 3333 language proficiency is desirable.
• Certification from a recognized procurement/contracting professional body (e.g. CIPS Level 3 or higher, DAWIA level 2 or higher) is desirable.

Skills

• Public Sector Procurement
• Contract Negotiation
• Contract Awarding
• Contract Close-out Management
• Procurement Methods
• Procurement Procedures
• Contract Law
• Procurement Regulations
• Technical Procurement
• Scientific Procurement
• Engineering Procurement
• IT hardware procurement
• IT software procurement
• Specialized Procurement Certification
• Complex Contract Management
• High Value Contract Management
• Best Value Source Selection
• E-Procurement Systems
• NATO Procurement Rules
• Stakeholder Liaison

Languages

English, Italian