Location: Belfast, United Kingdom

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.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Primary Purpose of the Role:

Define Procurement  Policies within that category in conjunction with other stakeholders, as appropriate, put in place and manage Framework Agreements for policy suppliers. Categories may include either Indirect (overhead) or Direct (for products/projects) areas.

Working closely with other functions and stakeholders as necessary, manage all purchasing aspects of delegated Bid and Project work packages, to ensure packages are executed in accordance with technical, program, cost and performance (quality and delivery) requirements. Manage risks and opportunities.

Although the role maybe assigned to a particular business or location, the job holder may be requested to support the function’s activities in other businesses or locations across the UK.

Principal Relationships:

Their internal Category stakeholders, CBU or GBU Management and UK PCC Team.UK Purchasing Shared ServiceCountry or Global Business Units Purchasing teamsGroup PurchasingEngineering and Bids & Project Management at UK or CBU levelSuppliers

Skills

Essential

Developing category strategies, developing sourcing options, cost benchmarking, developing commercial models, contract drafting, KPI models & facilitating major/complex tender processes.Convincing written and oral communication and presentation skills.Stakeholder Management capabilityInterpersonal skills to optimise cross organization working and to work effectively with suppliers.Technical and Supply Market knowledge of the Purchasing Families relevant to the role

Desirable

Needs Analysis, Technical Interface Management, Acquisition Strategy definition, Framework Negotiation and Execution, International Sourcing, Supplier Management, Risk and Opportunity Management, Sustainable ProcurementTeam management, leadership and team development

Experience:

Essential

5 years plus relevant experience in mid to senior level purchasing/procurementTrack record of deploying Category Management techniques to define long term supply policiesExperience of working within a Shared Service environment with demonstrable Customer  Service FocusUse of Supplier Relationship and Performance Management techniques and measurement

Desirable

Engaging suppliers in the SC21 programmeLow cost country sourcing, with particular emphasis on India / Far East / Middle East

Qualifications:

Essential

MCIPS or equivalent qualifications in other disciplinesHigh standards of numeracy and literacy

Desirable

Already studying towards MCIPS or Business Degree/Qualification or equivalent or willingness to do soBusiness or Engineering degree, or equivalent

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In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

Great journeys start here, apply now!