Share
Working at ESO
Are you interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment? Do you feel your profile matches our requirements? Learn more about our current vacancies and apply online. Read more..
The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries.
ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in northern Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor (home to ALMA), and the ESO Headquarters are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany.
At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory, and will host and operate the southern array of the Cherenkov Telescope Array, the world's largest and most sensitive high energy gamma-ray observatory. ESO is a major partner in ALMA. On Cerro Armazones, ESO is building the 39 metre Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky" and whose operations will be fully integrated into the Paranal Observatory.
Due to the need for additional resources associated with the ELT programme, for the Engineering Departments, within the Directorate of Engineering at its Headquarters in Garching, near Munich, Germany, ESO is advertising the position of a
We are looking for a Technical Purchaser able to facilitate the task of procuring relevant goods and services, by proactively establishing relationships with known and new suppliers and actively working with ESO DoE members, as well as ESO Contract and Procurement (C&P), ESO Facilities, Logistics, Transport (FLT) and Finance personnel. A person with a solid technical background on e.g., electronics, optics, mechatronics, mechanics, or cryogenics, is essential to properly understand technical requirements and to elaborate, place and follow-up the purchases for different engineering goods to be mainly used in the various laboratories.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- Procurement of goods and services for DoE departments in collaboration when necessary with assistants, C&P, Finance or FLT.
- Usage of all relevant and necessary ERP tools relevant for processing purchase orders.
- Keep track of purchase orders up to the delivery of the goods, providing feedback from the purchase processes towards the design engineers, technicians and other administrative ESO personnel when relevant.
- Assist in the analysis of technical specifications to understand the needs elaborating a purchase strategy.
- Assist in the development of existing relationships and in the establishment of newer ones between suppliers, vendors, distributors, and ESO technical personnel.
- Support DoE departments on stock keeping and inventories.
Reports to:
Head of the assigned Group Line Manager within the relevant department within the Directorate of Engineering.
Key Competences and Experience:
Essential Competences and Experience:
- A minimum of three years of professional experience in the area of industrial or engineering design and manufacturing.
- Ability to understand and analyse technical requirements and documentation to prepare procurements or bids.
- Knowledge and experience in the usage of ERP tools similar to those utilized by ESO, to place and follow-up procurements and bids.
- Experience in the coordination of visits from external suppliers, distributors and manufacturers to establish and facilitate relations according to the needs.
- A proactive, open and professional attitude with a teamwork mentality.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are mandatory.
Desirable Competences and Experience:
- Direct experience with the management of budgets, inventories, storages.
- Direct experience in the composition of technical contracts or statements of work.
- Direct hands-on experience in the assembly of electronics, electro-mechanical, optical or cryogenic systems would be welcome.
- Experience with the handling of laboratory engineering equipment, and safety relevant substances like chemicals.
Qualifications:
State-certified technician, apprenticeship, in the field of electrical/electronic, mechanics, mechatronics, optics, cryogenics fields or equivalent educational level.
Language Skills:
The position requires a good command of the English language (both written and spoken). Knowledge of German and/or Spanish would be an advantage.
Remuneration and Contract:
We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family and support to place your child/children in daycare.
Our Salary Structure
ESO's salary structure is based upon a range of career paths which reflect the nature and level of our jobs. Each career path is made up of two or three grades which are used to further reflect experience.
Please follow this attached link for more details https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/salary-structure/.
ESO aims to support members of personnel in maintaining a good work-life balance (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#work-life-balance) between their professional and private life. ESO is also committed to offering family-friendly support (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#family-friendly-support), creating a work environment and policies which allow staff to balance their professional and private responsibilities through flexible working arrangements and financial support for families.
The contract is for a fixed term duration of three years and is subject to successful completion of the probation period. There may be a possibility of extension(s) subject to individual performance and organisational requirements, in particular for the ELT Programme, and as defined in the applicable policies and staff rules and regulations. For any further information, please visit ESO's conditions of employment (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/). Please note that the contract policy and in particular the regulations concerning fixed-term and indefinite contracts are currently under review which may lead to changes in the contractual conditions applicable to this position.
Duty Station:
Garching near Munich, Germany with occasional duty trips to all ESO sites in Chile, depending on projects requirements.
Career Path: II
Application:
If you are interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit (http://www.eso.org) for further details.
Applicants are invited to apply online at http://recruitment.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV. Within your CV, please provide the names and contact details of three persons familiar with your work and willing to provide a recommendation letter upon request. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.
Closing date for applications is 02.05.2024.
Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.
ESO Values
An important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organisation and its people.
The ESO Values are:
ESO strives for excellence through innovation.
ESO provides outstanding services to its communities.
ESO fosters diversity & inclusion.
ESO believes in the key role of sustainability for its future.
Achieving the above are recognized as only possible on the basis of personal values and attitudes that we expect from our employees: respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear & open communication.
Applicants to any ESO role are asked to reflect on their affinity with these values and advised they may be asked about them if called for interview.
Diversity
ESO has established diversity as an important value of the Organisation, is committed to providing an equal opportunities environment and is actively seeking to promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Please visit https://www.eso.org/public/about-eso/sustainability/dei-at-eso/ for further details.
Nationality
No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO, however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of our Member States, host states and strategic partners: Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Chile, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.