Procurement Accountant

Who we are?

Mercator Ocean International has been developing operational oceanography activities for nearly 30 years, as part of its public interest mission to preserve the oceans. Many scientific and societal challenges must be met to ensure a sustainable ocean, whether they concern the environment, biodiversity, climate change, the blue economy or education. To meet these challenges, Mercator Ocean designs, develops, operates and maintains state-of-the-art digital systems capable of describing, analysing and forecasting the state of the ocean in 3D, continuously and in real time. The scientific information is then translated to be accessible to all, whether they are public or commercial services, political decision makers, industrialists, associations, NGOs, teachers or citizens. Mercator Ocean International thus combines scientific excellence and social commitment on a daily basis. As a non-profit company under multinational governance (ES, FR, GB, IT, NO), we work in a climate of trust with our ten shareholder partners, all key players in the development of European oceanography.

About the position:

In an international, growth-oriented context, and as part of its transformation into an Intergovernmental Organization, Mercator Ocean is strengthening its Finance team by recruiting a full-time Procurement Accountant on a permanent contract. Reporting to the General Secretariat, your role is to ensure the administrative and financial management of the full procurement cycle and the related accounting operations, while guaranteeing compliance with internal procedures and rules related to European funding, the reliability of financial data, and the traceability of transactions. In particular, you will be responsible for :

• Managing the full procure-to-pay cycle (purchases – orders – invoices – payments) in compliance with applicable procedures and rules: processing purchase requests, entering and monitoring data in the ERP system
• Verifying the compliance of expenses (orders, invoices, eligibility) and securing related reconciliations
• Maintaining accounts payable accounting (recording, monitoring, matching, follow-ups)
• Managing expense reports and ensuring their compliance
• Performing cross-functional accounting operations: fixed assets, VAT, bank reconciliations, quarterly and annual closings
• Ensuring compliance, document traceability, and audit preparation
• Contributing to the continuous improvement of procurement and accounting processes in collaboration with internal teams

Beyond these responsibilities, you may also contribute, as needed, to other development activities of Mercator Ocean.

Assets for success:

• You hold a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent, BAC+3) in accounting, management, or administration.
• You have at least 5 years of experience in procurement management, accounts payable, or general accounting.
• Experience in an institutional and international environment is an asset.
• Fluency in both French and English is essential.

We are looking for a candidate with strong skills in procurement management and accounts payable, solid knowledge of general accounting, and proven proficiency with financial ERP systems and Excel. You are recognized for your rigor in applying accounting rules and your ability to verify data consistency, identify discrepancies, and correct accounting errors. You are also known for your attention to detail, reliability, organizational skills, and ability to manage deadlines and priorities. A strong team player with good communication skills, you can interact effectively with non-financial stakeholders. You thrive in demanding, multicultural environments and can adapt to a fast-paced workload.

Contract details:

• Type of contract: full-time permanent contract
• Desired start date: As soon as possible.

Benefits:

• Flexible working hours
• Luncheon vouchers
• Paid leave and "RTT" (9 weeks)
• Teleworking (2 days/week)
• Sustainable mobility package
• Complementary health insurance