Procurement Manager Products/Bids/Projects

Location: Irvine, United States of America

Thales people architect solutions that enable two-thirds of planes to take off and land safely. We create in-flight entertainment systems that engross 50 million fliers every year and we develop the avionics that control the world’s largest commercial aircrafts. Our simulators train the next generation of pilots for fighter jets, transporters and search and rescue helicopters. And, together, each and every member of our aerospace team makes a difference.

Procurement Manager, Products/Bids/Projects

Irvine, CA (Hybrid)

Position Summary

Thales is looking for a Procurement Manager, Products/Bids/Projects who is primarily responsible for all Procurements that are part of a Bid / Project / Product delivery. In the integrated Team, you will represent and promote the Procurement organization. You will be responsible to provide the best procurement solution (competitiveness, quality, on time delivery), fulfilling the customer needs and aligned with Thales Procurement strategy led by the Global Category Managers.

In this position, you will also introduce supplier innovations to our solutions, play a key role in the early stages (pre-Gate 1 / definition phase) of Bids, Projects and/or Product teams activities.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• The Procurement Product / Bid / Project Manager’s main mission is to develop and promote Thales procurement competitiveness internally as well as externally (customer, consortia, etc...).
• To challenge the acquisition needs and requirements and to promote design to cost analysis with the suppliers, during the definition phase of the solution, in order to increase the competitiveness of the solution and to define the acquisition strategy whilst taking into account : The offer available on the market / the accessible innovations or breakthroughs on the market; The Make or Buy analysis (both structural and project-oriented).
• The prime contract requirements, with an appropriate flow down according to the acquisition context; The access to Market criteria (KIP, partnership, ToT, etc); The Thales Group Procurement policies; The acquisition needs within the Bid/ Project / Product, to organize these needs into Procurement work packages; The legal and regulatory requirements (export control, environmental rules, social regulations…); To validate the availability of offers on the market of the product or project design; To define the resulting acquisition plan, in order to optimize the cost of the sourced parts, with the support of the Global Category Managers/Category Managers/Category Buyers.
• To commit the Procurement Directorate to the cost and competitiveness of the sourced part (in BID phase) through the Procurement Executive Summary (PES) presented at Gate 2; To execute the acquisition plan (in project phase / product development and production phase) in accordance with the allocated targets ( Time, Quality, Total Cost of Ownership, Risks &Opportunities) and update the procurement dashboard.
• To liaise with operational teams and Category Buyers to monitor the execution of the Procurement plan; To define and monitor the contractual requirements of the acquisition; To comply with the “Manage Acquisition” process as per Chorus 2 and use the acquisition tools in place in the organization (e-Acquisition, ERP, etc.) for all activities.
• Assesses project issues and develops resolutions to meet productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction goals and objectives; Builds Powerful Networks - Involves networking internally and externally to develop and maintain relationships in all kinds of organizations knowing what they do, how they can help you, and how you can help them; Leads the development of tools, processes and approaches that build a heightened sense of confidence in the organization's ability to achieve astonishing results. (Business Acumen, Customer Focus, Planning and Organizing, Drive for Results, Continuous Process Improvement and Quality Orientation).

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field of study with a minimum of 8+ years relevant work experience or Master’s degree with a minimum of 6+ years of prior relevant work experience.
• Solid capability of project management with proven ability and skills to track and report project performance on scope, technical details, schedules, and financials (budget/savings/ROI); Ability to develop project plan, quality control goals as well as lessons learning opportunities; High proficiency of Microsoft Office to include PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook, SharePoint, MS Teams, etc.
• Demonstrates effective consulting, negotiating, influencing and persuasive skills to diverse audiences; Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and written