Operational Buyer Manager & General Expenses & IS Referrent

TN United Kingdom; Oxford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm in the aerospace and defense sector seeks an Operational Buyer Manager to lead procurement strategies in a dynamic environment. This role offers the chance to work with a diverse team, ensuring compliance and efficiency in purchasing processes. With a focus on flexibility and personal growth, the company supports various working patterns to accommodate employee needs. Join a leading organization that values collaboration and innovation, and take the next step in your career by making a significant impact in operational procurement.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Career development opportunities

Inclusive recruitment practices

Support for neuro-diverse applicants

Qualifications

• Mastery of the purchasing process and negotiation skills required.
• Experience in managing procurement plans and supplier relationships.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a team and ensure compliance with procurement processes.
• Negotiate with suppliers to achieve savings objectives.

Skills

Negotiation Skills

Stakeholder Management

KPI Monitoring

Procurement Planning

Communication Skills

Team Management

Education

Degree in Business Administration

Certification in Procurement

Tools

Oracle ERP

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

Operational Buyer Manager & General Expenses & IS Referrent, Oxford

col-narrow-left

Client:

Thales

Location:

Oxford, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

-

EU work permit required:

Yes

col-narrow-right

Job Reference:

2c301542bee1

Job Views:

9

Posted:

29.04.2025

Expiry Date:

13.06.2025

col-wide

Job Description:

Location: Oxford, 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.

We offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their careers 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 five major industries: Aerospace, Defence, Ground Transportation, Security, and Space.

Your health and well-being matter to us, which is why we offer flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part-time hours, job sharing, home working, or flexible start and finish times. We support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

The Operational Buyer Manager is responsible for supervising a small team within an Entity or acting as a referent for Operational Procurement tasks. The role requires a high level of autonomy to organize activities and ensure compliance with all legal rules and TAS/Thales processes.

She/he reports hierarchically to the TAS Operational Procurement Director and functionally to the TAS Procurement Country Referent.

She/he ensures to meet or exceed internal customer service level expectations. Mastery of all aspects of the purchasing process, demonstrated negotiation and influencing skills, strong internal and external networks, and management acumen are essential. Under delegation of authority (< 50 keuro), the Operational Buyer Manager is tasked with requesting quotations from Thales preferred (In-Policy) suppliers and placing orders based on the best negotiated submissions.

Mission Description:

1. Responsible for executing TAS procurement strategy in TAS-UK by collaborating with all supply chain actors.
2. Manage all purchase orders under responsibility, including handling 'excess/obsolete' inventory and cancellations.
3. Ensure acknowledgment of purchase orders and completion of Export Control documentation by suppliers.
4. Maintain updated information systems, supporting just-in-time or pull flow deliveries when needed.
5. Follow up on purchase orders, expediting as necessary, and resolving shortages and late deliveries.
6. Address invoicing issues promptly.
7. Manage claims with TAS-UK management and suppliers.
8. Ensure proper application of Order Book reviews and Forecast management review processes.
9. Negotiate to achieve savings objectives aligned with PROC targets.
10. Record savings in the local ERP system.
11. Manage OP tasks using LEAN principles, ensuring performance meets service levels and KPIs.
12. Monitor supplier KPIs and ensure they meet TAS objectives.
13. Coordinate with IS/IT on ERP issues or modifications.
14. Initialize and update contract MLS in the ERP according to CB instructions and digital flow.
15. Issue intra-TAS and intra-Thales POs (administrative tasks).
16. Support uploading information into ERP for out-of-country EPM without ERP access.
17. Implement initiatives and innovative solutions to improve operational efficiency.
18. Act as TAS-UK GENEX ISIT Referent, managing related tasks collaboratively.
19. Forecast OP and GENEX ISIT workload and upcoming demand levels.

Technical Skills:

• Advanced relationships with internal and supplier stakeholders (engagement, escalation).
• Use of KPIs to monitor performance and diagnose supplier risks.
• Ability to challenge and negotiate with suppliers.
• Expertise in acquisition planning and demand management.
• Proficient in office applications (Excel) and ERP tools (Oracle preferred).
• Ability to request quotations and place orders accordingly.
• Capability to develop, manage, and follow procurement plans and projects.
• Basic knowledge of production materials (e.g., 3E, N3E, drawings, machining parts).

Soft Skills:

• People management, team recruitment, and prioritization in multitasking environments.
• High-level interpersonal and communication skills.
• Cooperative attitude and positive response to challenges.
• Proactive, anticipative, and value-adding approach.
• Ability to select appropriate methods/tools and generate alternatives.
• Mobilize and persuade external resources.
• Adapt skills to the environment and interlocutors.
• Uphold TAS/Thales values and ethics.

#LI-DB1

Candidates must provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK, and employment/education history for up to three years, in accordance with Thales security requirements. Some roles may require full Security Clearance, which involves additional documentation. For details, refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

Thales offers careers, not just jobs. With 80,000 employees across 68 countries, our mobility policy supports career development at home and abroad, within or outside existing expertise areas. We embrace flexible working to foster a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment. We provide reasonable adjustments to support neuro-diverse applicants, those with disabilities, or long-term conditions. To request adjustments or for questions about the process, contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles or the Early Careers Team for graduates and apprentices.

Great journeys start here, apply now!