Category Buyer - Hardware & Software Engineering Services

Location: Singapore, Singapore

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.

Thales established its presence in Singapore in 1973 to support the expansion of aerospace-related activities in the Asia-Pacific region. Over the last four decades, the company has grown significantly and is now involved in Aerospace (including Air Traffic Management), Defence & Security, Ground Transportation, and Digital Identity & Security. Today, Thales employs over 2,100 people in Singapore across all its business areas.

Responsibilities:

1. Strategy:
   • Provide input into worldwide category strategies for short, medium, and long-term needs.
   • Support relevant stakeholders in understanding Thales' needs and support the category strategy to secure targeted projects and competitive advantage.
   • Identify and deliver clear, measurable savings targets by category, endorsed by the business or project teams.
   • Report on category commitments and spend compliance effectively.
2. Procurement Competitiveness Capture:
   • Monitor category markets to identify key players, newcomers, economic trends, regulations, innovations, and technologies to develop current category strategies.
   • Provide insights on how products or projects can be more competitive through supplier, methodology, or technology adoption.
   • Assist in Make/Buy decisions alongside cross-functional teams to optimize business performance.
3. Governance, Leadership, and Performance Management:
   • Ensure application of Thales governance using KPIs and root cause analysis for corrective actions.
4. Supplier / Acquisition Management:
   • Manage supply base performance aligned with Global Category Manager standards.
   • Ensure fair and balanced supplier competitions following governance processes.
   • Negotiate supplier contracts and framework agreements in line with category strategies.
   • Utilize global contracts and frameworks effectively.
   • Consider legal compliance and customer-specific requirements during strategy development and implementation.
   • Ensure proper use of Thales procurement tools, including e-Acquisition, according to governance standards.
   • Understand and manage risks, opportunities, and Tier supply chain mapping to optimize performance.
   • Identify and support suppliers requiring development actions, collaborating with the Supplier Development Team.
5. Operational Support:
   • Provide Tactical Buyers with necessary information to raise Purchase Orders.

Requirements:

• Experience in outsourcing Test Systems, Hardware & Software Engineering Services preferred.
• Professional qualifications such as CIPS, EIPM, ISM, MAI are essential.
• Degrees in Business, Procurement, Supply Chain, or Engineering are desirable, with additional qualifications in Project Management preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years' procurement experience.
• Experience working with senior management and stakeholders in complex projects, product policy, design, or product development, including subcontract management and complex solutions delivery.
• Strong involvement in developing and implementing category strategies.
• Excellent contractual knowledge, especially regarding framework agreements, liabilities, and insurance.
• Proven negotiation skills, including import/export considerations.
• Understanding of market dynamics and customer needs within the category.
• Ability to develop innovative supply chain analyses that add value.
• Skills in managing complex sub-contracts, risks, and opportunities.
• Knowledge of best practices in procurement processes.
• Leadership and influencing skills to achieve business results.
• Ability to work within and lead cross-functional, international teams.
• Open-mindedness, innovation, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize, analyze, and synthesize information under stress.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work remotely with internal stakeholders.

At Thales, we provide careers, not just jobs. With over 80,000 employees in 68 countries, our mobility policy enables employees to develop their careers globally, embracing flexibility and new opportunities. Great journeys start here—apply now!