Senior Category Buyer II

Thales Group; Singapore; On-site; SGD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Thales Group in Singapore seeks a Category Buyer to manage end-to-end procurement for one or more categories. You will lead RFI/RFP activities up to PVet stages, collaborate with Global Category Managers and the Supplier Performance Management Team, and ensure governance with KPI-driven improvements.

The role requires cross-functional and international collaboration and knowledge of framework agreements. The successful candidate will drive competitiveness through supplier selection, stay

Qualifications

• Desirable professional qualifications (CIPS, EIPM, ISM, MAI)
• Experience in project/program management and cross-functional teams
• Negotiation experience desirable
• Ability to implement operational supply chain strategy
• Knowledge of supplier governance, KPI tracking and performance management

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end RFI/RFP processes up to PVet stage across multiple regions
• Manage supplier relationships and performance including quality, cost, delivery and innovation
• Develop and monitor category strategies with Global Category Managers
• Ensure governance and fair competitions following framework agreements and THALES tools
• Support supplier development actions with cross-functional teams

Education

Business/Procurement/ Supply Chain or Engineering degree

Job description

Location: Singapore, Singapore

Thales is a global technology leader trusted by governments, institutions, and enterprises to tackle their most demanding challenges. From quantum applications and artificial intelligence to cybersecurity and 6G innovation, our solutions empower critical decisions rooted in human intelligence. Operating at the forefront of aerospace and space, cybersecurity and digital identity, we’re driven by a mission to build a future we can all trust.

In Singapore, Thales has been a trusted partner since 1973, originally focused on aerospace activities in the Asia-Pacific region. With 2,000 employees across three local sites, we deliver cutting-edge solutions across aerospace (including air traffic management), defence and security, and digital identity and cybersecurity sectors. Together, we’re shaping the future by enabling customers to make pivotal decisions that safeguard communities and power progress.

The Category Buyer (CB) may support one or several procurement categories. He/She is accountable for end to end performance of the acquisition process, via the management of the RFI &/or RFP’s until the Pvet 4 stage (up to PVet 5 based on some Regions).

The Category Buyer is expected to lead supplier selection exercises to support business needs. He/She ensures the deployment, implementation and monitoring of agreed category strategies.

Furthermore, the CB is :

Responsible for supplier relationship management and continuous improvement of suppliers within his/her category (with the support of Supplier Performance Management Team if needed) and the management of suppliers performance including, but not limited to, quality, cost, delivery, contractual performance and innovation.

An essential element of his role is to ensure that the suppliers provide the competitiveness required to support the business and to introduce optimal supply base changes to support business winning capability.

Job Responsibilities:

The Category Buyer (CB) supports one or several procurement categories. He/She in close relation with the relevant Global Category Managers (GCM), the Categories Team leader (CTL), the Category Manager(CM) and the Tactical Buyer (TB). All actions have to be in line with the strategy defined by the Global Category Manager and the CM. The CB’s prime role is the management of the RFI or/and RFP’s until PVet 4 stage (up to PVet 5 based on some Regions) in order to provide the competiveness to the business.

In addition to this their main tasks are:

Operational Support :

• Ensure the BA’s (Business Admin/Users) receive all required information to raise the Procurement Orders.

Procurement Competitiveness Capture:

• Monitor the markets for defined categories including key players, newcomers, economic evolutions, market or regulation constraints, innovations and technology in order to support the development of the most up to date category strategies to the businesses.
• Based on the above provide insights as to how products / projects could be more competitive via the adoption of different suppliers / methodologies / technology etc.
• Governance, Leadership and Performance Management:
• Ensure appropriate governance is applied using KPI’s and root cause corrective actions

Supplier / Acquisition Management:

• Performance management of the supply base in line with the standards set out by the Global Category Manager .
• Ensure that supplier competitions follow the governance process and are balanced and fair in order to improve business and customer performance.
• Ensure that global contracts / framework agreements are adopted and utilized.
• Ensure that Thales e-Acquisition and all THALES procurement tools are fully used.
• Based on the performance management of the supply base identify the suppliers who require focused development actions and ensure that the Supplier Development Team have the required support / leverage in order for these actions to be successful.

Qualifications:

• Recognized professional qualification (CIPS, EIPM, ISM, MAI…) are desirable
• Business, Procurement, Supply Chain or Engineering degrees are desirable
• Experience working in project/program, design / product development with cross functional teams.
• IS/IT Category experience includes IS/IT hardware, software, network equipment, telco services and its equivalent.
• Demonstrates experience in negotiation projects &/or categories is desirable
• Ability to implement operational supply chain strategy
• Contractual knowledge especially of framework agreements, Liability & insurance.
• Ability to lead negotiation including import / export considerations
• Understanding of the market for the categories under his/her control but also ability to understand the customer’s needs and program issues
• Good knowledge of a best practice acquisition Process.
• Capability to work within cross functional and international multi organisational teams (teamwork)
• Open minded (listen, share ideas etc.) and able to bring added value and new ideas
• Ability to take initiatives with a good capacity of analysis and of synthesis
• Ability to prioritize tasks
• Ability to represent Thales and to demonstrate Thales values
• Good written and verbal communication skills

At Thales, we’re committed to fostering a workplace where respect, trust, collaboration, and passion drive everything we do. Here, you’ll feel empowered to bring your best self, thrive in a supportive culture, and love the work you do. Join us, and be part of a team reimagining technology to create solutions that truly make a difference – for a safer, greener, and more inclusive world.