Procurement Assistant (IPT-PI-SU-2026-220-GRAE)

You will join the Procurement and Industrial Services Group (PI), the central unit responsible for procuring all supplies and services for the organisation, ensuring that the specified and contractual technical, delivery and performance requirements are met at the lowest possible overall cost whilst achieving balanced industrial returns for CERN Member States and respecting CERN Procurement Rules.

Your responsibilities:

• Process, place, and follow up on purchase orders up to 3 000 CHF, ensuring compliance with CERN's Procurement Rules.
• Request quotations from suppliers and conduct comparative analysis of offers received, supporting sound and cost-effective purchasing decisions.
• Negotiate commercial terms: payment terms, delivery schedule and transport conditions, and general conditions.
• Liaise with suppliers to resolve delivery delays, non-conformities, purchase order amendments and invoicing issues.
• Liaise with technical officers to resolve discrepancies, inconsistencies, and operational issues arising during/ post purchase order processing, ensuring timely and accurate resolution.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure efficient procurement operations.
• Provide direct support to suppliers throughout the registration process in CERN's supplier database / eProcurement, ensuring the accurate verification, maintenance, and completeness of supplier records.

Your profile:

• Experience or exposure to procurement, purchasing, or contract administration (through studies, internships, or initial work experience).
• Prior exposure to an international and multicultural working environment.

Skills:

• Excellent communication, being able to resolve supplier claims.
• Attention to detail and the ability to deal with a large number of purchase orders.
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• By the application deadline, you have a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation in Engineering, Purchasing, Economics (or a related field) and your highest educational qualification is either a Bachelor's or Master's degree.
• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
• Applicants without University degree are not eligible.
• Applicants with a PhD are not eligible.

Job closing date: 28.09.2026 at 23:59 CEST.

Contract duration: 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum.

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job flexibility: Hybrid

Target start date: 01-January-2027

Job reference: IPT-PI-SU-2026-220-GRAE

Field of work: Procurement

Benchmark job: 5B0150 - Procurement Support Officer

Global Benefits

• A monthly net stipend of either 5266 or 5793 Swiss Francs per month depending on your degree.
• 30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks annual closure.
• Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health insurance scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
• Family, child and infant monthly allowances depending on your individual circumstances.
• A relocation package (installation grant and travel expenses) depending on your individual circumstances.
• Possibility to extend your contract up to 36 months.
• On-the-job and formal training including language classes.

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