Head of Procurement- Mechanical - #1792879

Location: Manor Royal Crawley, 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.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career 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 the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Location: Can be based either Crawley, Templecombe, Glasgow, Reading, Cheadle or Belfast

Hybrid working

We have a great opportunity for a Head of Procurement to lead the Mechanical Segment sourcing activity for Thales UK.

Leading the sourcing and contracting activity of the mechanical segment ensuring minimized exposure to supplier risk through double sourcing, best cost country sourcing and leading the generation, negotiation and execution of robust supplier contracts. This role also acts as Lead for key supplier relationships, negotiation and issue resolution.

You'll be responsible for a team of Category Buyers and Manager and works closely in matrix environment with the Mechanical Global Segment Directors and Global Sourcing Directors/Managers.

The role is responsible for supplier strategy, sourcing and drafting a suite of appropriate contracting frameworks, leading the Mechanical Category team through the review, negotiation and execution process through to handover to SCMs.

This role will require frequent and close relationship with other functions and stakeholders, and in particular, with Global Segment Team, BL Procurement Directors, Bids Procurement Manager (PPM), Supplier Contract Manager (SCM), Category Managers (CM), and Legal & Contracts ensuring contracts are executed in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations and in compliance with the flow down terms of Customer contracts and Thales policies and directives.

Key Responsibilities And Tasks

• Generate Contract plan: Assess contract coverage, generate & manage prioritised implementation plan to ensure full framework contractual commitment and reduce Thales risk and exposure.
• Lead Supplier Contract Coverage: Work with the Category Managers and L&C Department to ensure that robust supplier contracts or are being progressed in accordance with Thales procurement process and governance.
• Draft and negotiate a suite of supplier frameworks to suit the various procurements which drives performance through incentivisation. Lead negotiations for all high risk procurements.
• Ensure appropriate performance mechanisms (KPI/SLA’s/) are negotiated as part of the contract framework allowing robust performance and claim/recourse management.
• Lead and implement Segment C Mechanical Local and BCC Strategy to ensure competitiveness and risk mitigation.
• Ensure appropriate double sourcing of high risk supplier to ensure risk mitigation and capacity ramp up achievement.
• Lead Category Management through the Sourcing Process for high-risk RV2 projects: Lead negotiations through PVET 1 through to PVET4 (award). Ensure all risks are identified and captured and appropriate supplier mitigation plans are in place.
• Lead direct relationships with the key supplier/s, through the negotiation process acting as commercial/contractual point of contact, dealing with all supplier contractual queries.
• Provide support for Make V Buy Reviews to identify and facilitate outsourcing of internal capacity & conduct sourcing activity to support process.
• Act as Business Partner for all Mechanical Supply Chain Ramp Up activity for IAS and provide sound advice to all stakeholders.
• Ensure maintenance of appropriate contractual records and files as well as provide regular reports/briefs as required.
• Provide support to projects, bids and functions; liaise within Procurement function to feed any lessons learned into future bids and projects.
• Support CLM roll out, ensure all Supplier Contracts are generated and stored in the tool and responsible for Category Management training and compliance.
  
  
  

Right for this role?

We are looking for candidates who have experience of:

• Drafting of large high value, complex and high-risk contracts & a range of procurements covering both goods and services.
• Prime Contract flow down through the supply contact to protect against risk and exposure
• Drafting KPI’s, SLA’s and incentive based agreements to ensure performance
• Relevant procurement experience, incl. sourcing/ negotiation.
• Working in a major programme/ project environment
• Working in a multi-discipline team environment
  
  
  

You also would have:

• Worked in in an environment with frequent changes, and to shape solutions out of complexity.
• A problem-solving thinker who confidently solves issues with informed, timely decision making whilst maintaining integrity and transparency.
• Thrives on performing through teamwork, managing different types of stakeholders.
• Ability to interface well and influence effectively at senior levels including internally and externally
  
  
  

In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

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