Category Buyer For On Board Electrical Systems/Equipments

Job Description Category Buyer for Electrical Products
Category Buyer activities:
1. Perimeter of the position: Electrical Units (sensors and actuators) of AOCS (Attitude orbit
control system), Power systems and Power distribution systems for Satellites. Equipment of
Data Handling Subsystem. Build to Specification approach
Activities details:

• Negotiate, write, implement and follow the contract with suppliers as per Thales Alenia

Space (Terms & Conditions) or Customer Contract flow down when mandatory.

• Analyse business needs and challenges demand as related to his/her contract perimeter.
• Manage the Acquisition Process in accordance with product strategy (e.g. Multi-Annual

Supplier Strategy) till contract signature or the issuance of the Purchase Order.

• Ensure fair competition through appropriate RFIs and Request For Proposals.
• Contribute to global category strategies for short, medium, long term
• Anticipate relevant market trends and monitor innovation in the market
• Manage Bids and programs PVET (Evaluation/selection/negotiation) process and Tender

Evaluation Board.

• Monitor global markets for their categories, including key players, suppliers, economic

evolutions, innovations and technology; in order to propose optimum solutions.

• Contribute to global category strategies for short, medium, long term
• Anticipate relevant market trends and monitor innovation in the market
• Ensure strategy is applied at JV level. Define and apply the roadmap and related actions

supporting the category's strategy

• Ensure buy-in and application of category strategy by relevant stakeholders, and by

entities/countries

• Define Total Cost of Ownership and savings (UPD, PPV, rebates, avoidance) targets by

category/supplier and also by Domain/CC and project.

• Organize competitions, assess and select best supplier for its category, in close collaboration

with entities/countries and with regular feedback loops.

• Ensure application of consultation process (i.e. PVet 1 to 3) and the use of relevant tools

(e.g. e-ACQ) to ensure clear transparency of all activities at global level Implement the
purchase contract:
 Consult with suppliers: send or coordinate RFx; analyse proposals; enrich
and validate the expression of need; prepare risk and opportunity analysis;
finalize proposal analysis; prepare and propose negotiation tactic
 prepare the contract summary sheet; sign the contract; communicate the
contract terms; inform non-selected suppliers; and update the information
system
 Guarantee the conformity of procurement contracts with relevant
international/national laws, Thales regulations and customers' requirements
 Archive the contract; check the execution of post-delivery obligations; close
Acquisition Log; record the settlement of the acquisition/lessons learnt, close
and archive the Acquisition follow up (Acquisition Log).
 Organize the Hand Over with Execution and Performance Manager
 Ensure application of claim management in coordination with Execution and
Performance Managers and Supplier Performance Manager
o Negotiate Price lists and Frame agreement with supplier at TAS JV level based on
consolidated forecast received by the CCs
o Manage Co-Development plateau with suppliers

• Provide competitive solutions for our products/projects based on the implementation of

different suppliers/methods/technologies

• Contribute to Acquisition Plan through e-Acquisition tool.
• During the execution of the program and under the support of the Supplier Operation, ensure

the maintenance of the contract and negotiate changes (Contract Changes) when they have
an economic.

• Contribute to SPA (Supplier Performance Assessment) leaded by Supplier Operations

Support the preparation of Supplier Business Reviews and participate when requested by the
SAM or the Segment Leader.

• Organize SBR (Supplier Business Review) process, in coordination with relevant TAS

and/or Thales SAM (Supplier Account Manager). Lead the SBR process if appointed as
SAM.

• Ensure that the agreed T&C of Purchase include all statutory and internal rules and

regulations in particular on Export Control and Health, Safety & Environment, REACH and
Code of Ethics.

• Collect all data and documentation related to issues of national and international regulations,

including Export Control, Health Safety & Environment, REACH and Italian Law 136.
Activity for the strategies on his/her portfolio:

• Define the purchasing strategy at J/V level on his/her Product portfolio (Multi Annual

Strategy);

• Monitor and understand the supplier panel;
• Anticipate relevant market trends and monitor innovations in the market;
• Analyses business needs and challenges demand;
• Maximizes Supplier Relationships:
• Create a preferred customer relationship with strategic suppliers Develop strategic suppliers

to sustain growth

• Ensure the purchasing contribution to TAS Road Maps and product tree for the assigned

commodity providing a benchmark on current solutions including company internal
products;

• Manage the competitiveness plan;
• Lead and run Product Cost Down efforts with suppliers;
• Lead and run Co Development plateau with suppliers;
• Manage generic PVETs process on relevant perimeter;
• Manage Frame Agreement negotiation with suppliers with support of buyers if relevant;

Drive economic performance during contract negotiation, by pulling all the relevant
purchasing levers;

• Contribute to the Acquisition Plan through e-Acquisition tool;

participate to SBR (Supplier Business Review) process, in coordination with relevant SAM
(Supplier Account Manager). Lead the SBR process if there is no a SAM appointed;
Promote strong network between TAS & Corporate by products, taking into account
company mid- and long-term basis needs.

• Create alignment on key strategic supplier-related decisions by being the privileged meeting

point of all key functions related to one specific commodity

• Define and maintain commodity Multi-Annual Supplier Strategy, including supplier panel

recommendation and purchasing strategy

• Decide on the need of performing co-engineering in plateau, in both pre-bid (offcycle

or in anticipation of bid) and bid phases

• Own the supplier selection process, and as such perform all PVETs
• Be informed of supplier performance during execution, and adjust supplier choice and

strategy consequently when necessary
Job position for Rome
Profile
Essential

• Master in technical background (Engineering)
• Procurement experience within international context
• Experience in direct purchasing
• Experience in contract management
• Excellent relationship skills with project teams and with the various company structures
• Able to work in global procurement environment and Fluent English

Assets

• Open minded and proactive
• Curious with the willingness to improve / develop
• Technical and commercial background gained in the companies or general knowledge in

materials and processes and in the procurement of General Expenses

• Strong predisposition team work and availability for short-term trips (2/3 days max)
• Organizational, priority management and progress control skills
• Perseverance in achieving and maintaining the commitments made
• Ability to manage changes in the context, tasks and workloads
• Knowledge of the main regulations and certifications applicable in the space sector and

special processes

• Experience in evaluating offers / proposals and KPI
• Supplier management
• Knowledge Microsoft Office application systems