Category Buyer

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

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 has built a presence in the United Arab Emirates for over 35 years, and today has over 300 employees. Thales in the UAE is part of our Middle East business that has 1,800 people across Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, KSA, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar and UAE. Together we delivered technology for the Dubai metro, the longest driverless metro network in the world and a fare collection system that processes up to 250,000 transactions per day. We make UAE a safer place by providing secure electronic payment solutions, cyber security systems and communications as well as security systems for Dubai International Airport and air traffic management and navigation systems for Abu Dhabis airport.

JOB OBJECTIVE:

The Category Buyer supports one or several procurement categories.
The CB works in close relation with the relevant Global Category Managers, the Category Team Leader, Supplier Performance Manager and the Tactical Buyer.
All actions have to be in line with the strategy defined by the Global Category Manager and the regional CM.
The 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 bring competiveness and performance to the business. CB role is accountable of the relationship with the panel of supplier within his/her perimeter.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Ensure the BA's receive all required information to raise the Purchase Orders

Procurement Competitiveness Capture:

Sourcing activities and market monitoring 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.
Ensure appropriate governance is applied using KPI's and root cause corrective actions
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.
Lead contract activities with supplier and ensure that compliance assessment of the supplier is matching Thales group rules
Ensure that global contracts / framework agreements are adopted and utilised.
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.

WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

3+ years experience in Mechanical Engineering or Procurement.
Experience working in project/program, design / product development with cross-functional teams.
Demonstrable experience in bids/project or procurement topics (e.g. negotiation, supplier meetings, visits) is desirable.
English language fluency is required
Arabic language is desirable
Diploma in Engineering Mechanical field preferred
Experience/Diploma in Procurement desirable

PREFERRED SKILLS:

Skills in the field of market survey / sourcing experience desired.
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 customers needs and program issues
Good knowledge of a best practice acquisition Process.
Capability to work within cross functional and international multi organizational teams.

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