Senior Category Buyer II

Thales is a global technology leader trusted by governments, institutions, and enterprises to tackle their most demanding challenges. From quantum applications and artificial intelligence to cybersecurity and 6G innovation, our solutions empower critical decisions rooted in human intelligence. Operating at the forefront of aerospace and space, cybersecurity and digital identity, we’re driven by a mission to build a future we can all trust.

The Category Buyer (CB) may support one or several procurement categories. He/She is accountable for end to end performance of the acquisition process, via the management of the RFI &/or RFP's until the Pvet 4 stage (up to PVet 5 based on some Regions).

The Category Buyer is expected to lead supplier selection exercises to support business needs. He/She ensures the deployment, implementation and monitoring of agreed category strategies.

Furthermore, the CB is:

Responsible for supplier relationship management and continuous improvement of suppliers within his/her category (with the support of Supplier Performance Management Team if needed) and the management of suppliers performance including, but not limited to, quality, cost, delivery, contractual performance and innovation.

An essential element of his/her role is to ensure that the suppliers provide the competitiveness required to support the business and to introduce optimal supply base changes to support business winning capability.

Job Responsibilities:
The Category Buyer (CB) supports one or several procurement categories, working closely with the relevant Global Category Managers (GCM), the Categories Team leader (CTL), the Category Manager (CM) and the Tactical Buyer (TB).
All actions have to be in line with the strategy defined by the Global Category Manager and the CM. The CB's prime role is the management of the RFI or/and RFP's until PVet 4 stage (up to PVet 5 based on some Regions) in order to provide the competitiveness to the business.

In addition to this, the main tasks are:

Operational Support:

• Ensure the BA's (Business Admin/Users) receive all required information to raise the Procurement Orders.

Procurement Competitiveness Capture:

• Monitor the markets for defined categories including key players, newcomers, economic evolutions, market or regulation constraints, innovations and technology in order to support the development of the most up to date category strategies to the businesses.
• Based on the above provide insights as to how products / projects could be more competitive via the adoption of different suppliers / methodologies / technology etc.
• Governance, Leadership and Performance Management
• Ensure appropriate governance is applied using KPI's and root cause corrective actions

Supplier / Acquisition Management:

• Performance management of the supply base in line with the standards set out by the Global Category Manager.
• Ensure that supplier competitions follow the governance process and are balanced and fair in order to improve business and customer performance.
• Ensure that global contracts / framework agreements are adopted and utilized.
• Ensure that Thales e-Acquisition and all THALES procurement tools are fully used.
• Based on the performance management of the supply base, identify the suppliers who require focused development actions and ensure that the Supplier Development Team have the required support / leverage in order for these actions to be successful.

Qualifications:

• Recognized professional qualification (CIPS, EIPM, ISM, MAI...) are desirable.
• Bachelor's degree in business, Procurement, Supply Chain or Engineering.
• 5 to 10 years of relevant experience.
• Experience working in project/program, design/product development with cross functional teams.
• IS/IT Category experience includes IS/IT hardware, software, network equipment, telco services and its equivalent.
• Demonstrates experience in project negotiations and/or categories is desirable.
• Ability to implement operational supply chain strategy.
• Contractual knowledge especially of framework agreements, liability & insurance.
• Ability to lead negotiation including import / export considerations.
• Understanding of the market for the categories under his/her control but also ability to understand the customer’s needs and program issues.
• Good knowledge of a best practice acquisition process.
• Capability to work within cross functional and international multi organizational teams (teamwork).
• Open minded (listen, share ideas etc.) and able to bring added value and new ideas.
• Ability to take initiatives with a good capacity of analysis and of synthesis.
• Ability to prioritize tasks.
• Ability to represent Thales and to demonstrate Thales values.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.

At Thales, we’re committed to fostering a workplace where respect, trust, collaboration, and passion drive everything we do. Here, you’ll feel empowered to bring your best self, thrive in a supportive culture, and love the work you do. Join us, and be part of a team reimagining technology to create solutions that truly make a difference – for a safer, greener, and more inclusive world.