Purchasing Manager

The Irish Aviation Authority  

The IAA is the civil aviation regulator for Ireland. We are responsible for the regulation of safety, security, and consumer interests. Our responsibilities are set out in the framework of applicable global, European, and national legislation/regulation. For more information, please visit our website: About the Irish Aviation Authority (iaa.ie). 

Mission: The Irish Aviation Authority regulates to the highest professional standards to ensure a safe, secure, sustainable and consumer-focused civil aviation environment. We support world-class performance and innovation in Irish and global aviation. 

Values: Our values reflect what we believe in and how we behave when engaging with each other, our clients and partners, and the society in which we live.  

• Safety First: We uphold the highest standards of civil aviation safety and security in everything we do for the benefit of aircraft passengers and aviation personnel and in the public interest.  

• Consumer-focused: We protect the rights of consumers, ensuring a safe, secure and efficient civil aviation experience.  

• Sustainability: We support the development of aviation in a sustainable manner that meets the present demands for safeguarding the needs of the future.  

• Integrity and Accountability: We act with transparency, fairness and responsibility in all our decisions and actions.  

• Professionalism: We maintain the highest levels of expertise, ethics, responsiveness, efficiency and conduct in our work, and we recognise our true strength is in our people.  

• Collaboration: We work closely with stakeholders to promote trust, alignment and shared success.  

• Respect and Inclusion: We value diverse perspectives and foster an inclusive, respectful workplace and stakeholder environment. 

Job Description

The Purchasing Manager will be responsible for leading and managing the organisation's procurement function, ensuring that all procurement activities are conducted in accordance with Irish and EU public procurement legislation, government procurement policy, and organisational governance requirements.

The role will develop procurement strategy, provide expert procurement advice, oversee low to high value IAA procurements, manage supplier and contract performance, and promote value for money while supporting the achievement of organisational objectives.

The postholder will lead the purchasing team and will work closely with senior management, budget holders, and external stakeholders to deliver compliant, effective, and sustainable procurement outcomes.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leadership & People Management
  Lead, motivate, and support the team to deliver organisational and team objectives by setting clear priorities, performance expectations, and timelines, while fostering an inclusive, professional, and adaptable working environment.  Manage recruitment, workforce planning and succession planning within the team to ensure the team has the capability, capacity and talent required to meet current and future organisational needs.

• Performance Management & Coaching
  Provide clear guidance, constructive feedback, and timely intervention to address performance issues and support employee development. 

• Planning, Organisation & Delivery of Results
  Take accountability for delivering objectives by planning, prioritising, and managing multiple workstreams; delegate effectively; and apply appropriate systems, controls, and quality assurance to ensure high‑quality, timely outcomes. 

• Decision‑Making, Problem‑Solving & Strategic Awareness
  Make sound, evidence‑based decisions, considering organisational, policy, and stakeholder impacts, and take responsibility for outcomes. 

• Change & Continuous Improvement
  Identify and support opportunities to improve processes, performance, and service delivery, , fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, accountability and customer focus, and contributing positively to change initiatives.

• Communication & Stakeholder Management
  Build strong and effective relationships with internal stakeholders, external suppliers and key partners to support the successful implementation of procurement initiatives and processes. Act as an effective link between reporting employees and senior management, communicating clearly and confidently in both written and verbal formats. Educate, influence and collaborate with stakeholders on public procurement best practice, fostering strong engagement and ensuring decisions are made in the best interests of the organisation.

• Self-development
  Demonstrate commitment to continuous professional development to enhance capability and effectiveness in the role. 

The Purchasing Manager role includes the following activities:

• Develop and implement the organisation's procurement strategy and annual procurement plan.

• Align procurement activities with organisational objectives and public sector procurement policies.

• Identify opportunities for cost optimisation, service improvement, innovation, and collaboration.

• Support the delivery of organisational transformation and strategic initiatives through effective procurement planning.

• Promote best practice procurement across the organisation.

• Maintain procurement policies, procedures, templates, and guidance.

• Monitor procurement compliance through facilitating audits and regular reporting.

• Manage procurement risks and implement mitigation measures.

• Provide authoritative advice on procurement governance and regulatory requirements.

• Ensure procurement competitions are conducted fairly, transparently, and in accordance with procurement law.

• Ensure the compliance of requisitions to purchase orders on the purchase order system (SmartOffice).

• Supporting the administrative processes relating to supplier on-boarding and the ongoing maintenance of supplier records and associated requirements.

• Ensure contracts and service level agreements concluded meet all the business and operational needs of the organisation.

• Manage high-value contracts and supplier relationships.

• Oversee contract performance monitoring and supplier reviews.

• Support contract renewal and contract exit planning.

• Support the achievement of value for money objectives across organisational expenditure.

• Analyse procurement spend and identify opportunities for savings and efficiencies.

• Ensure robust commercial evaluation of procurement proposals.

• Contribute to financial planning and budgeting processes.

Ensure compliance with:

• EU Public Procurement Directives.

• Irish public procurement regulations.

• Office of Government Procurement (OGP) guidelines.

• Circulars issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.

• Internal governance and financial control policies and procedures.

Manage the end-to-end tendering process from tender development through to contract award in accordance with public procurement rules, involving all relevant stakeholders at each stage of the process. This will involve preparing/overseeing the preparation of:

• Tender strategies.

• Tender documentation.

• Evaluation methodologies.

• Contract award recommendations.

• Issuing all tenders on relevant websites and management of this process.

Promote sustainable procurement practices:

• Ensure procurement processes consider environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives where appropriate.

• Support the implementation of green public procurement policies.

• Encourage supplier diversity, innovation, and social value outcomes.

• Prepare procurement reports for senior management and the Board/Audit Risk and Finance Committee.

• Provide management information on procurement activity, savings, compliance, risk, and contract performance.

• Manage all relevant administrative duties to ensure good record keeping and knowledge sharing.

Skills, Competencies, and Qualifications

The successful candidate should have the following qualifications and skills:

Required

• Relevant Professional / Academic Qualifications: Business degree and/or Purchasing qualification e.g. Institute of Public Procurement Management (IPPM) (formerly IIPMM), Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), or equivalent professional procurement body.

• A minimum 3 years purchasing experience, including at least two years in a public sector environment.

• Must demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of public procurement legislation and practice.

• Excellent verbal and written interpersonal and communication skills with previous suppliers and/or direct customer experience.

• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.

• Self-confidence, initiative, and drive with the ability to perform within a team.

• Strong Project Management skills.

• Strong Data analytical skills.

• Experience in stakeholder management, influencing and engagement.

• Excellent IT skills and working knowledge of Office 365 and Microsoft Office Suite applications such as Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook.

• Displays a high standard of professionalism at all times.

• Positive flexible attitude, be committed and keen to learn new skills/systems.

Desirable

• Purchasing or other financial management system experience.

Key Competencies Required for Effective Performance

For assessment of applicants for this role we will use the following competency model. This model reflects the changing and more complex environment in which those at this level operate. Each of the key competences in the model is supported by a list of key performance indicators set below.

Effective Performance Indicators

Leadership

• Actively contributes to the development of the strategies and policies of the Department/ Organisation.

• Brings a focus and drive to building and sustaining high levels of performance, addressing any performance issues as they arise.

• Leads and maximises the contribution of the team as a whole.

• Considers the effectiveness of outcomes in terms wider than own immediate area.

• Clearly defines objectives/ goals & delegates effectively, encouraging ownership and responsibility for tasks.

• Develops capability of others through feedback, coaching & creating opportunities for skills development.

• Identifies and takes opportunities to exploit new and innovative service delivery channels.

Analysis & Decision Making

• Researches issues thoroughly, consulting appropriately to gather all information needed on an issue.

• Understands complex issues quickly, accurately absorbing and evaluating data (including numerical data).

• Integrates diverse strands of information, identifying inter-relationships and linkages.

• Makes clear, timely and well-grounded decisions on important issues.

• Considers the wider implications of decisions on a range of stakeholders.

• Takes a firm position on issues s/he considers important.

Management & Delivery of Results

• Takes responsibility for challenging tasks and delivers on time and to a high standard.

• Plans and prioritises work in terms of importance, timescales and other resource constraints, re-prioritising in light of changing circumstances.

• Ensures quality and efficient customer service is central to the work of the division.

• Looks critically at issues to see how things can be done better.

• Is open to new ideas initiatives and creative solutions to problems.

• Ensures controls and performance measures are in place to deliver efficient and high value services.

• Effectively manages multiple projects.

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

• Presents information in a confident, logical and convincing manner, verbally and in writing.

• Encourages open and constructive discussions around work issues.

• Promotes teamwork within the section, but also works effectively on projects across Departments/ Sectors.

• Maintains poise and control when working to influence others.

• Instils a strong focus on Customer Service in their area.

• Develops and maintains a network of contacts to facilitate problem solving or information sharing.

• Engages effectively with a range of stakeholders, including members of the public, Public Service Colleagues and the political system.

Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self-Development

• Has a clear understanding of the roles objectives and targets of self and the team and how they fit into the work of the unit and Department/ Organisation

• Has a breadth and depth of knowledge of Department and Governmental issues and is sensitive to wider political and organisational priorities

• Is considered an expert by stakeholders in own field/ area

• Is focused on self-development, seeking feedback and opportunities for growth to help carry out the specific requirements of the role

Selection Process

The Selection Process may include:

• shortlisting of candidates, on the basis of the information contained in their application

• a competitive preliminary interview.

• psychometric testing.

• work sample/role play/media exercise, and any other tests or exercises that may be deemed appropriate.

• a second competitive interview which may include a presentation.

Shortlisting

The number of applications received for a position generally exceeds that required to fill the position. While a candidate may meet the eligibility requirements of the competition, if the numbers applying for the position are such that it would not be practical to interview everyone, we may decide that a smaller number will be called to the next stage of the selection process. In this respect, we provide for the employment of a shortlisting process to select a group who, based on an examination of the application forms, appear to be the most suitable for the position.

This is not to suggest that other candidates are necessarily unsuitable or incapable of undertaking the job, rather that there are some candidates, who based on their application, appear to be better qualified and/or have more relevant experience.

Application documents will be reviewed against shortlisting criteria. The shortlisting criteria may include both the essential and desirable criteria specified for the position. It is therefore in your own interest to provide a detailed and accurate account of your qualifications/ experience in your application.

References

It would be useful if you would begin to consider names of people who would be suitable referees and that we might consult (2 names and contact details). The referees do not have to include your current employer but should be in a position to provide a reference for you. The referees should be able to provide relatively recent information on your performance and behaviour in a work context.

You may wish to select referees that can provide such information from different perspectives or in different work contexts. Please be assured that we will only contact referees should you come under consideration after preliminary interview stage. Please note, should you be successful at final interview, we will require a reference from your current employer prior to recommendation for appointment.

Successful candidates may be required to complete a number of clearance processes such as Health and Character Declaration and any other relevant checks required for the particular role.

Other Important Information

The IAA will not be responsible for refunding any expenses incurred by candidates.

The admission of a person to a competition, or invitation to attend interview, or a successful result letter, is not to be taken as implying that the IAA is satisfied that such a person fulfils the requirements or is not disqualified by law from holding the position.

Prior to recommending any candidate for appointment to this position the IAA will make all such enquiries that are deemed necessary to determine the suitability of that candidate. Until all stages of the recruitment process have been fully completed a final determination cannot be made nor can it be deemed or inferred that such a determination has been made. Should the person recommended for appointment decline, or having accepted it, relinquish it, the IAA may at its discretion, select and recommend the candidate who came second for appointment on the results of this selection process. Applications will be treated in strict confidence.

Deeming of candidature to be withdrawn - Candidates who do not attend for interview when and where required, or who do not, when requested, furnish such evidence as the IAA require in regard to any matter relevant to their candidature, will have no further claim to consideration.

Candidates' Obligations

Candidates should note that canvassing will disqualify and will result in their exclusion from the process.

Candidates must not:

• knowingly or recklessly provide false information

• canvass any person with or without inducements

• interfere with or compromise the process in any way

In addition, where a person found guilty of an offence was or is a candidate at a recruitment process, then:

• where they have not been appointed to a post, they will be disqualified as a candidate and

• where they have been appointed subsequent to the recruitment process in question, they shall forfeit their appointment.

Salary Rate

The salary range for this role is point 1 €83,622 to point €102,342.

Probationary Period

The position is subject to a probationary period of 6 months from the date of actual commencement and is subject to the provision of satisfactory performance during that period.

Hours Of Attendance

Hours of attendance will be fixed from time to time but will amount to not less than 41 hours gross per week. The successful candidate will be required to work additional hours from time to time as may be reasonable and necessary for the proper performance of their duties subject to the limits set down in the working time regulations. 

Annual Leave

Annual Leave excluding public holidays is 26 days per annum rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service.

Pension

The successful candidate will on date of joining become a member of the Irish Aviation Authority Defined Contribution Plan 2025

Membership of the Irish Aviation Authority Defined Contribution Plan 2025 is compulsory.  

Employee and matching employer contribution rates are:

Employee       Employer

 4%                    8%

 5%                  10%

 6%                  12%

Full details of the scheme are contained in the explanatory booklet which is available on request.

Other Benefits

• Access to cycle to work scheme

• Tax free Bus/ Luas/ Rail to assist with travel costs to and from work

• Access to Employee Assistance Programme

• Access to IAA health and wellbeing initiatives

• Learning and Development opportunities

Location

The IAA is based in the Times Building, 11-12 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2 near Trinity College. We are convenient to all Luas lines; several Dublin Bus routes and are about 5 minutes from Tara Street Railway Station. We are also just minutes from O’Connell Street and St. Stephen’s Green.

Application

Applications must consist of the following to be considered for shortlisting:

• A cover letter (max. two A4 pages) outlining why you wish to be considered for the post and where you believe your skills and experience meet the requirements of the position.

• A comprehensive CV.

Complete applications including a CV and letter of motivation should be received no later than 5pm 15th October 2026. .

Eligibility

Candidates should note that eligibility to compete is open to citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, the UK and those with an IRP with stamp 4. To qualify candidates must be citizens of the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or have an IRP with stamp 4 on the date of application.

The IAA are not in the position to offer sponsorship for this role.

The IAA promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from people from diverse backgrounds and under-represented groups including, but not limited to, ethnic minority and people with disabilities. IAA firmly believes that such diversity enriches our workplace culture and drives innovation.

Accommodations during the application and interview process may be requested directly to human.resources@iaa.ie.