Senior Specialist, IRIS2 & meoSphere Procurement

Job Summary

Senior Specialist, IRIS2 & meoSphere Procurement

Programme Description

IRIS2 is the new European Union secure satellite constellation. This project is the EU’s answer to the pressing challenges of tomorrow, providing secure connectivity services and enhanced communication capacities to the EU and its Member States, as well as to governments, private companies and European citizens. It ensures high‑speed internet broadband to address connectivity dead zones.

SES, together with consortium partners and core members, has been selected by the European Commission to build and operate the IRIS2 multi‑orbit satellite constellation.

Role Description Summary

• As a member of the SES EU Programmes team, you will support the sourcing of products and services related to IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnection & Security by Satellites) and SES meoSphere programmes, aligned with SES Global Procurement guidelines.
• Collaborate with global stakeholders at SES and in the SpaceRISE consortium.
• Develop options and opportunities for purchasing hardware, software, and services related to IRIS2 and SES meoSphere.
• Actively seek opportunities to reduce cost and improve value for money.
• Build and nurture relationships with suppliers, manufacturers and other external stakeholders.
• Support pricing and contract negotiations.
• Guide and execute sourcing activities from vendor scouting to tendering processes (RFI, RFP, RFQ, informal price request), ensuring the negotiation team is fully briefed.

Primary Responsibilities / Key Result Areas

• Prepare and execute RFI/RFPs to select subcontractors for IRIS2 and SES meoSphere programmes, including drafting documents, responding to vendor questions, negotiation, follow‑up and response analysis.
• Ensure SES Global Procurement compliance with policies and procedures, in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Understand programme requirements for the procurement of products and services, underlying strategies and constraints.
• Identify requirements and work packages involving vendors and/or subcontractors.
• Collaborate with Management to perform contract negotiations, including flowing down customer terms and conditions to existing agreements, agreeing on new contracts with vendors, supporting vendor onboarding activities, and analysing the vendor base to identify potential suppliers (SMEs & start‑ups) and their eligibility to the IRIS2 programme.
• Analyse existing contractual agreements with SES vendors and cooperate with other entities/companies identified as potential partners and/or contractors.
• Contribute to programme management matters such as status reports, time schedules, cost analysis, resource quantification, risk management/mitigation, etc.
• Draft and prepare required documentation to be provided to EC/ESA under the IRIS2 programme.
• Support internal alignment, coordination efforts, and report weekly on achievements, updates, next steps, and risk assessment.
• Coordinate cross‑functional negotiation teams through commercial evaluation of proposals, vendor discussions, conclusions, and – where needed with involvement of the legal department – contracting.
• Monitor major aspects and milestones of procurement contracts with the functional specialist and ensure compliance.
• Work with the SES Global Procurement team to identify and leverage procurement opportunities to maximise value for the SES Group.
• Support SES in activities linked to process/system development or updates that contribute to cost reduction.

Competencies

• Strong procurement and project management skills.
• Strong ability to work independently and without supervision.
• Self‑motivated and can‑do attitude.
• Strong negotiation and excellent communication skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Organisational skills.
• Excellent collaboration across departments and various geographical locations.
• Eager to learn about technical and engineering subjects.
• Good written language skills.
• Flexibility and adaptability in response to changing project requirements and environments.
• Ability to think strategically and align project goals with organisational objectives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven experience in the procurement of software, hardware, and professional services.
• Knowledge of satellite communications infrastructures and telecommunications systems is an asset.
• Minimum five years’ experience in a similar procurement role.
• Experience working on large projects.
• Experience in understanding contracts.
• Experience in public procurement processes (EC and ESA) is an asset.
• Experience in procurement of EEE, mechanical and structural components is an asset.
• Good understanding of engineering departments’ functions, workflows and inter‑dependencies.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.

Other Key Requirements / Comments

• The candidate must be eligible for a “SECRET” security clearance, in accordance with national regulations as well as EU/ESA/NATO equivalents.
• Willing to work 60% onsite from office.
• Travel as required for project realization purposes.

Equal Opportunity Statement

SES and its Affiliated Companies are committed to providing fair and equal employment opportunities to all. We are an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, protected veteran status, disability or any other basis protected by local, state or federal law.

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