In fast-changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security, and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow's possible.The Category Buyer (CB) may support one or several procurement categories.The CB is accountable for the end-to-end performance of the acquisition process, managing RFIs and RFPs until the Pvet 4 stage (up to PVet 5 in some regions).The CB is expected to lead supplier selection exercises to support business needs and ensure the deployment, implementation, and monitoring of category strategies.Furthermore, the CB is :Responsible for supplier relationship management and continuous improvement of suppliers within their category (with support from the Supplier Performance Management Team if needed), including managing supplier performance in quality, cost, delivery, contractual compliance, and innovation.An essential element of their role is to ensure suppliers provide the competitiveness required to support the business and to optimize the supply base to enhance business winning capability.Missions and ResponsibilitiesThe Category Buyer supports one or several procurement categories.The CB works closely with the Global Category Managers (GCM), the Categories Team Leader (CTL), the Category Manager (CM), and the Tactical Buyer (TB).All actions must align with strategies defined by the GCM and CM. The CB's primary role is managing RFIs and RFPs until PVet 4 (up to PVet 5 regionally) to ensure competitiveness.Main tasks include :Operational Support :Ensure TBs and BAs receive all necessary information to raise procurement orders.Procurement Competitiveness Capture :Monitor market trends, key players, new entrants, economic and regulatory changes, innovations, and technology to inform category strategies.Provide insights on how products or projects can be more competitive through different suppliers, methodologies, or technologies.Governance, Leadership, and Performance Management :Apply appropriate governance using KPIs and root cause analysis.Manage supply base performance according to standards set by the GCM.Ensure supplier competitions are conducted fairly and follow governance processes to improve business and customer performance.Utilize global contracts and framework agreements effectively.Ensure full use of Thales e-Acquisition and other procurement tools.Identify suppliers needing development and support the Supplier Development Team in these efforts.Work experience required includes project or program management, design or product development with cross-functional teams, and negotiation experience in projects or categories is desirable.Skills required include:Ability to implement operational supply chain strategies.Knowledge of contractual frameworks, liabilities, and insurance.Negotiation skills, including import/export considerations.Understanding of market dynamics for assigned categories and customer/program needs.Knowledge of best practice procurement processes.English language fluency is desirable.Ability to work within cross-functional, international teams.Open-mindedness, initiative, analytical and synthesis skills, prioritization, and representation of Thales and its values.Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
#J-18808-Ljbffr