Procurement Project Manager

Location: Austin, United States of America

Thales people architect identity management and data protection solutions at the heart of digital security. Business and governments rely on us to bring trust to the billons of digital interactions they have with people. Our technologies and services help banks exchange funds, people cross borders, energy become smarter and much more. More than 30,000 organizations already rely on us to verify the identities of people and things, grant access to digital services, analyze vast quantities of information and encrypt data to make the connected world more secure.

Position Summary

Austin, Texas, Hybrid

We are seeking a Procurement Project Manager (PPM) to join the Thales CDI IBS organization in Austin, Texas.

As the key liaison between business stakeholders and the Global Procurement team (including Global Category Managers, Category Managers, and Category Buyers), the IBS PPM will ensure early procurement involvement.

The PPM will serve as the primary point of contact for stakeholders on projects, bids, process and product improvements, and cost-reduction initiatives. In this role, the PPM will advocate for the Procurement organization, driving the delivery of optimal solutions that balance competitiveness, quality, and on-time delivery, while aligning with the procurement strategy led by Global Category Managers. Additionally, the PPM will be expected to bring innovative ideas, contributing to business line profitability and competitiveness by providing value-added procurement support

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Develop and promote Thales procurement competitiveness both internally and externally, ensuring solutions meet customer needs and align with business objectives.

• Collaborate & influence key business stakeholders to develop procurement strategies and work packages that align with bids/projects/products requirements, customer contractual obligations, and Thales Group procurement policies & strategies. Ensure the procurement strategy considers market offers, innovations, and breakthroughs, and integrates the Make/Buy analysis, legal/regulatory requirements (e.g., export control, environmental, and social regulations), and prime contract flow-downs.

• Challenge acquisition needs and promote design-to-cost analysis during the definition phase to optimize costs and enhance solution competitiveness.

• Ensure early involvement on projects to drive cost optimization (against budget), on-time delivery, and quality optimization with the right supplier panel and consequently ensure execution happens accordingly.

• Validate the availability of market offers and identify opportunities for leveraging innovations to influence product design.

• Develop acquisition plans that optimize the cost of purchased goods & services in collaboration with Global Category Managers/Category Buyers.

• While tracking procurement costs and project Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), develop and implement a savings opportunities plan (competitiveness plan) to reduce costs and improve procurement efficiency throughout the project.

• Ensure compliance with relevant governance, including delegation of authority, acquisition log, purchasing summary sheets, procurement vetting, and gate reviews.

• Identify procurement and supplier opportunities and risks and develop and implement risk mitigation strategies.

• Ensure adherence to Thales' acquisition processes, such as the Manage Acquisition process under Chorus 2, and utilize acquisition tools like e-Acquisition and ERP systems (Oracle).

• Monitor progress through the procurement dashboard and liaise with operational teams and Category Buyers to ensure effective execution of procurement activities.

• Ensure the proper adoption of Global Category Manager strategies by stakeholders, with clear communication of procurement objectives and progress.

• Monitor and report on procurement work package performance, escalating issues as needed including with SPM organization.

• Conduct post-mortem analysis (lessons learned) with procurement teams, PMO, and engineering to evaluate the performance of procurement work packages in the project.

• Lead and manage the IBS NORAM procurement team (Procurement Project Manager and Tactical Buyers), setting clear objectives and ensuring they adhere to procurement rules and best practices. Monitor team performance regularly, provide guidance and support to ensure continuous improvement, and drive the effective execution of procurement processes to meet project goals and business objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Business, Procurement, Supply Chain or Engineering

• 8+ years of experience in procurement and/or project management

• Proven experience in leading and managing teams

• Strong written and verbal communication

• Experience with savings delivery & competitiveness plans

• Demonstrable knowledge in Cost evaluation, Design to Value, Lean approach

• Experience with Make or Buy and Total Cost of Ownership analysis

• Ability to navigate complex organization and influencing skills (including actively listening, rapport building, persuasion) at all organization levels internally and externally

• Experience to animate international cross-department teams

• Ability to prioritize tasks while meeting deadlines and fulling our commitments

• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite

• Ability to speak out and to handle conflicts / manage problem resolution

• Ability to synthetize and map a complex situation to bring solutions/ideas

• Proven experience and competencies in Procurement and Bid and Project Management

• Demonstrable skills in trade compliance and regulations (export control, Reach, conflict minerals, etc...)

• Strategic thinker who confidently solves problems timely and makes informed decisions whilst maintaining integrity and transparency

• Persistent and tenacious high achiever, with the ability to quickly learn new skills and concepts with the desire to become an organizational leader.

If you’re excited about working with Thales, but not meeting the requirements for this position, we encourage you to join our Talent Community!

Special Position Requirements

Travel: on average of one week of travel per quarter.

Why Join Us?

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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 talentacquisition@us.thalesgroup.com.

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

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.

(For Internal candidate, if you need more information, please reach out to your HR Shared Service, 1st Point) 

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