Purchasing Support Employee

About this position

Safety, health and innovation are essential in our rapidly changing world. At TNO, we apply knowledge and technology to develop groundbreaking innovations that contribute to peace, security, vitality and sustainable employability. Together with governments, universities, hospitals and industry partners, we help shape the world of tomorrow.

TNO carries out both public tasks and commercial activities, creating a unique and challenging environment with a wide variety of procurement questions. As a Purchasing Support Employee, you will use your up-to-date knowledge and fresh perspective to support the innovative strength of our entire organisation.

What will be your role?

As a Purchasing Support Employee, you will be part of a team of approximately ten colleagues responsible for providing efficient support to TNO’s procurement administration processes. You review purchase requests submitted through our procurement system (Ariba) and help colleagues across the organisation with questions related to the procurement process. In addition, the team is responsible for registering procurement contracts, creating new suppliers in our systems, and supporting the resolution of pricing and quantity discrepancies within the administrative purchasing process.

The Purchasing Support department is evolving from a primarily transaction-focused function into a more advisory role for internal stakeholders. To support this transition, we are continuously improving and optimising our processes, enabling the team to provide greater guidance and support throughout the procurement journey. These changes, which involve updated procedures and, in some cases, new systems, require the Purchasing Support team to play an active role in helping TNO colleagues navigate and adopt new ways of working.

What we expect from you

As part of the Purchasing Support team, you are responsible for the day-to-day processing of procurement requests across the organisation. You review incoming requests and route them to budget holders for approval, ensuring that purchase orders can be issued to suppliers in a timely manner. You support the monitoring of delivery schedules and liaise with suppliers when delays, discrepancies or other issues arise. In addition, you have experience with or an interest in contract administration, including the accurate registration, maintenance and monitoring of contract data.

You are a pragmatic, proactive and confident colleague who enjoys working with both internal stakeholders and suppliers. You gain satisfaction from guiding procurement requests through to a successful outcome and ensuring colleagues receive the support they need. With your customer-focused mindset, flexibility and efficient way of working, you contribute to a smooth and effective procurement process.

You are also able to critically assess your own work and the processes within the team. You share observations and improvement ideas with your colleagues and the Operational Procurement Coordinator, helping to continuously enhance the quality of our services and the efficiency of our procurement processes.

What you bring:

• A completed MBO-level qualification in Procurement Management, Business Administration, Business Economics, or a related field.
• Experience with, or an interest in, administrative contract management and contract registration is an advantage.
• Experience with SAP S/4HANA and/or Ariba is an advantage.
• Excellent command of both Dutch and English, at a minimum C1 level, with strong verbal and written communication skills.

What you'll get in return

Challenging and varied work with a real impact. And plenty of opportunities as, at TNO, you are in charge of shaping your career. We offer a gross monthly salary between € 2,600 and € 3,500 (based on your knowledge and experience), 8% holiday pay, a 13^th month bonus of 8.33% and a flex budget (5.58% + € 180). In addition, you will be given every opportunity to develop yourself.

TNO offers optional employee benefits, enabling you to tailor your benefits package to match your personal situation. You may also expect:

• An extremely professional, innovative working environment where colleagues are leading experts in their field.
• The opportunity to attend courses, workshops and conferences, and to receive training and coaching based on your needs.
• 33 days annual leave plus a flexible holiday that can be used on a cultural, religious, or otherwise important day of your choosing (on a full-time basis).
• An employer working towards a respectful, inclusive, and equitable work environment where every employee can flourish, with various initiatives such as Jong TNO, numerous expertise based guilds, Rainbow Community and Round Tables on diverse inclusion topics.
• We offer a comprehensive and flexible mobility plan that also includes full compensation for public transportation for commuting and business travel.
• Great social events with your team and other TNO colleagues. That’s how you will get to know a lot of people really quickly.
• Flexible working hours, the possibility to work parttime (32 or 36 hours) and the possibility of working from home.
• A good pension scheme.

Read more about tailoring your benefits package.

TNO as an employer

Our people are at the heart of TNO. Their curiosity, expertise and entrepreneurial mindset make it possible to deliver high-impact research and innovations that contribute to society’s sustainable wellbeing and prosperity. That is why we invest in an inspiring and inclusive working environment where colleagues can excel, have autonomy and continue to grow.

Your talent and ambition have every opportunity to flourish at TNO. You work with experts (both within and beyond TNO), have access to advanced technology and the freedom to explore, experiment and innovate. Our strength lies in independence, reliability and collaboration. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. By working with businesses and government, and by connecting different perspectives, we strengthen our innovative capability and create responsible, meaningful results.

At TNO, we believe this is our time to help society, government and business move forward faster. Together with driven colleagues, you turn knowledge into concrete innovations or ventures that truly make a difference by combining the power of science and entrepreneurship. And in doing so, you make your mark on our time.

The selection process

Please apply before Sunday October 4th, 2026. The selection process comprises two interview rounds. The first interview takes place on the Tuesday October 13th, 2026. In a final meeting we will discuss the terms of employment and your tailored benefits package. We aim to finalize the entire process within four weeks.

The selection process may include an online assessment and a reference check. A certificate of Conduct (VOG) is required before starting a new job at TNO.