The Category Manager (CM) supports one or several procurement categories and works in close relation with the relevant Global Category Managers (GCM), the Categories Team Leader (CTL) and the Tactical Buyer (TB). All CM actions have to be aligned with the strategy defined by the GCM, and the CM will have a regular feedback loop with the GCM. The CM’s prime role is the management of the RFI or/and RFP process until PVet 4 stage for business‑critical work packages (up to PVet 5 in some regions) to provide competitiveness to the business.
Key Figures
- Annual volume of commitment and spend within relevant categories and % of Savings
- Number of suppliers for the given category and the structured closure of legacy, close and disengage suppliers as defined by the category strategies
- Year‑on‑year competitiveness and cost reductions
- Categories operational performance (quality, on‑time delivery, supply risk assessment, …)
- % Categories compliance with policy suppliers based on both commitment and spend
- Implementation of framework agreement(s) or specific contract(s) where there is a business need
Responsibilities Strategy
- Provide input into worldwide category strategies for short, medium and long term needs
- Ensure the relevant players have a good knowledge of Thales needs and support the category strategy so that the business secures targeted projects and customer competitive advantage
- Ensure that clear and measurable savings targets are identified and delivered by category and endorsed by business / project
- Ensure category commitment and spend compliance tracking is well reported
Procurement Competitiveness Capture
- Monitor category markets on an ongoing basis to identify and understand key players, newcomers, economic evolutions, market or regulatory constraints, innovations and technology in order to support the development of the most up‑to‑date category strategies for the businesses
- Provide insights as to how products / projects could be more competitive via the adoption of different suppliers / methodologies / technologies, etc.
- In conjunction with the Procurement Product, Bids and Project Managers (PPM) and cross‑functional teams, the CM supports the preparation of Make / Buy decisions (lead by the PPM) to optimise business performance
Governance, Leadership and Performance Management
- Ensure THALES governance is applied using KPIs 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 to improve business and customer performance
- Ensure that supplier contracts and framework agreements are negotiated when required in line with the category strategies
- Ensure that global contracts / framework agreements are adopted and utilised
- Ensure that specific legal compliance, government or special customer requirements are taken into account during conception / implementation of category strategies
- Ensure that Thales e‑Acquisition and all THALES procurement tools are fully used according to governance procurement work packages at global level
- Ensure that the risks, opportunities and Tier supply chain mapping is understood and managed to optimise business performance
- Based on performance management of the supply base, identify suppliers who require focused development actions and ensure that the Supplier Development Team has the required support / leverage to conduct these actions successfully
Operational Support
- Ensure the Tactical Buyers receive all required information to raise the Procurement Orders
Seniority level
Not Applicable
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Marketing and Sales
Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing and Defense and Space Manufacturing
At Thales Alenia Space we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales Alenia Space employing around 8,900 employees in 10 countries with 17 sites in Europe and a plant in the US, our mobility policy enables employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth #SpaceForLife. Great journeys start here, apply now!
#J-18808-Ljbffr