Operational Buyer (Indirect)

The Operational Buyer Manager is responsible for supervising the work of a small team within an Entity or acting as a referent for the Operational Procurement tasks. The role needs a very good level of autonomy to organize the activity and to respect all the legal rules and TAS/Thales processes. She/he hierarchically reports to TAS Operational Procurement Director and functionally to TAS Procurement Country Referent. She/ he ensures to be able to meet or exceed internal customer's expected service levels. She/he is expected to master all aspects of the purchasing process, demonstrated negotiations and influencing skills, good internal and external networks and management acumen. Under delegation of authority (< 50 keuro) the Operational Buyer Manager is required to ask for quotations from Thales preferred (In-Policy) suppliers and place orders based on the best negotiated submissions. Mission Description:

• Responsible for the execution of TAS procurement strategy in TAS-UK by working with all supply chain actors
• Manage all the purchase orders under his or her responsibility, including "excess/obsolete" and order cancellation
• Ensure that purchase orders are acknowledged and that Export Control documents are filled out by suppliers & attached to purchase orders
• Keep information systems up to date with latest information and optimal parameters, including support just-in-time or pulled flows deliveries when required
• Ensure that purchase orders are followed-up or expedited; Follow-up on resolution of shortages and late delivery problems relating to the products or services ordered
• Ensure resolution of invoicing issues
• Manage claims raised with TAS-UK management and suppliers
• Ensure Order Book reviews and Forecast management review processes properly applied and rules respected
• Ensure proper negotiation to achieve saving objectives as per PROC targets
• Register saving in the local ERP
• Manage OP tasks by using the LEAN Approach. Ensure that the overall performance meets expected service levels & key performance indicators
• Monitor Supplier's key performance indicators evolution and ensure it meets TAS objectives
• Interface with IS/IT on issues or required modifications to the local ERP and OP tools
• Ensure contract MLS initialization in the local ERP and update of MLS payment plan according to CB instructions and digital flow
• Ensure issuing of intra-TAS and intra-Thales POs (pure administrative task/no follow up)
• Ensure support to upload information in the local ERP on behalf of the EPM out of Country with no access to the local ERP
• Put in place initiatives and innovative solutions to improve operational efficiency in TAS-UK
• Act as a TAS-UK GENEX ISIT Referent to manage GENEX ISIT tasks in close collaboration with Thales Category Buyers, TAS Team Leader and Category managers
• Monitor and forecast OP and GENEX ISIT WL in TAS-UK and upcoming levels of demand
  
  Advanced internal and supplier relationships (engagement, escalation...)
• Use of KPIs to monitor performance and identify/diagnose supplier risks
• Ability to challenge, pressure or push back on suppliers
• Acquisition plan expertise: able to regroup/challenge demand
• Advanced use of office productivity applications (Excel) and ERP purchasing tools (Oracle would be a plus)
• Ability to request quotations and to use them to place orders
• Ability to elaborate, manage and follow-up proc plan, projects/initiatives
• Notions about production materials (i.e. 3E and N3E, drawings and machining parts)
Soft Skills
• People management/For teams, recruit team members, define priorities in multi-task environment
• Professional-level interpersonal & communication skills
• Cooperative in all situations, responds positively to difficulties
• Able to anticipate, be proactive and to bring added value
• Selects the appropriate method or tool; generate alternate solutions
• Able to mobilize and convince resources outside of his function
• Use their understanding of the environment to adapt their skills to their interlocutors
• Enforces TAS/Thales values and ethics rules
#LI-DB1 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.

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., 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.