Category Manager Travel, Cont Labor & HR Services

Thales; Orlando (FL); Hybrid; USD 91,000 - 176,000; Full time

Job summary

Thales Group in the United States seeks a Category Manager to lead procurement for the Travel, Events, Contingent Labor and HR services category across NORAM & LATAM. You will define strategy with GBUs, select suppliers, and drive regional initiatives to optimize performance and risk management.

The role emphasizes negotiations, supplier relationship management, and cross-functional collaboration with regional stakeholders to ensure quality, cost effectiveness, and timely delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required with 8+ years in Procurement or related experience.
• Minimum 5 years of strategic sourcing and category/commodity management experience.
• Experience leading P3 sourcing projects > $300k spend and High Risk.
• Foundational knowledge of regional market for Travel, Contingent Labor and HR Services (C10).
• Experience evaluating financial performance and risk mitigation.

Responsibilities

• Define procurement strategy for Travel, Events, Contingent Labor & HR Services category for NORAM & LATAM.
• Select suppliers and manage relationships to meet Quality, Price and Timing requirements.
• Interact with GBUs/BLs and GCMs to align regional strategy and enforce procurement policies.
• Develop and enrich regional strategy for the C10 category mid-term and long-term.
• Organize supplier competitions, assess and select best suppliers with stakeholders.
• Negotiate contracts and own supplier relationships for the category.
• Assess and manage supplier risks.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier management

Stakeholder management

Risk assessment

Financial analysis

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Location: Orlando, United States of America

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.

When you rely on airlines to connect you in flight, you rely on Thales. In an increasingly fast paced world, we make the unpredictable, predictable by connecting and entertain passengers to make your life better. Combining a diversity of talents, we master the decisive moments that matter to passengers and airlines. Whatever it takes.

Category Manager

Orlando, FL/ Austin, TX / Irvine, CA / Arlington, VA – Hybrid

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer at the time of hire. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or for assuming sponsorship of an employment visa now or in the future.

Position Summary

The Category Manager is in charge of one or several procurement categories and/or sub-categories for the entire region (NORAM & LATAM) in which they operate. This position is specifically for General Expenses with experience in , Travel, Events, Contingent Labor, etc.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Define, in close collaboration with the Global Business units (GBUs) / Business Lines (BLs) and Global Category Managers (GCMs), the procurement strategy for the Travel, Events, Contingent Labor & HR Services (C10) category and ensure their strategy is enforced and meets entities’ / countries' requirements.
• Responsible and accountable for selecting suppliers and managing supplier relationships in order to guarantee that the level of performance (such as Quality, Price and Timing) meet the requirements of the businesses and the best interests of the GBUs.
• Cover the entire region and as such requires an excellent view of the organization as well as a strong ability to interact with many stakeholders while maintaining a clear regional strategy.
• Permanently develop and enrich the regional strategy for the C10, Travel, Events, Contingent Labor & HR Services category short, mid and long term, based on entities' needs
• Organize competitions, assess and select best suppliers for the category, in close collaboration with entities / regions and with regular feedback loops
• Negotiate contracts and own the relationship with the suppliers for the category
• Assess and manage suppliers' risks

Key Performance Indicators for the position are:

• Annual volume of purchases within the category
• Number of suppliers for the given category
• Price reduction and T&C's negotiated
• Category operational performance (on-time delivery, quality, supply risk assessment KPI...)
• Supplier's cost of non-quality
• % of commitments with suppliers in the strategy

Impact

The Category Manager is in charge of the procurement portfolio of C10, Travel, Events, Contingent Labor & HR Services category for the entire region, building best balance between business requirements, expected performance and group interests. He/she hence has a regional impact on the category he/she is in charge of, and should be able to foster the evolution of their procurement portfolio within their perimeter, to ensure products are more competitive.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree plus 8 or more years of experience in Procurement or a combination of education and / or relevant experience as equivalency.
• At least 5 years of strategic sourcing and category/commodity management experience, and leading P3 sourcing projects greater than $300k spend and High Risk
• Manager is a primary responsible to identify, negotiate and award contracts; manage risks and conflicts; monitor performance and enforce service level
• Have a foundational knowledge of the regional market for the Travel, Contingent Labor and HR Services (C10) category
• Knowledge of value analysis methods
• Prior experience evaluating financial performance
• Ability to evaluate risks and propose a mitigation plan
• Take ownership and able to drive project to completion in a timely manner
• Lead negotiations with Suppliers on P2 and P3 projects

The ideal candidate will also have a Master’s degree, solid experience on complex contract negotiations, a professional procurement certification and were bilingual in Spanish and /or Portuguese.

Special Position Requirements

Travel: Ability to travel domestically and internationally, up to 15% annually.

This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with [a] criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal law, state law, and local ordinances.

Thales champions inclusion and we believe diversity strengthens the fabric of our culture. Thales is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.

If you need an accommodation or assistance in order to apply for a position with Thales, please contact us at [e-mail].

The reference Total Target Compensation (TTC) market range for this position, inclusive of annual base salary and the variable compensation target, is between

Total Target Cash (TTC) 91,282.00 - 176,381.00 USD Annual

This reflects how companies in a similar industry and geographic region generally pay for similar jobs. This range helps the Company make pay decisions as one data point among many. Where a position falls within this range is also dependent on other factors including – but not limited to – the employee’s career path history, competencies, skills and performance, as well as the company’s annual salary budget, the customer’s program requirements, and the company’s internal equity. Thales may offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s status protected by local, state, or federal law.

Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 30 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following:

• Elective Health, Dental, Vision, FSA/HSA, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Whole Group Life w/LTC, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Plan, Identity Theft, and Pet Insurance
• Retirement Savings Plan after 30 days of employment with a company contribution and a match, and with no vesting period
• Company paid holidays and Paid Time Off
• Company provided Life Insurance, AD&D, Disability, Employee Assistance Plan, and Well-being Program