Tactical Buyer

Location: Ottawa, Canada

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.

For decades, Ottawa has been a global technology leader. Today, Canada’s capital holds one of the brightest and most diverse technological ecosystems in North America. Voted as Canada’s best place to live 2017 by Maclean's, Ottawa offers a low cost of living with a high quality of life. The Thales Ottawa office has been a major supplier and long-term trusted partner to DND, enabling the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Coast Guard to achieve mission success.

**Position Summary**

**This is a hybrid position located in Ottawa, Ontario or Halifax, Nova Scotia.**

Thales is looking for a **Tactical Buyer** (TB) who is involved and responsible for the transactional procurement process of RFX, Purchase Requisition and Purchase Order (PR/PO) lifecycle. They are required to expedite, follow-up on purchase orders to ensure delivery to support internal priorities and quality requirements are in accordance with terms and conditions issued. Drive continuous improvement of supplier performance and commodity cost. Collaborate internally with project management and senior leaders to achieve desired business outcomes. Own all aspects of part management as it relates to sourcing. Requires developed and strong foundation of function skills and knowledge of relevant purchasing and sourcing concepts.

In this position, you will be responsible for ensuring the effective and timely execution of purchasing activities. This function shall strive to provide an uninterrupted flow of goods and/or services required by the organization.

**Key Areas of Responsibility**
- Lead weekly fulfillment execution activities with broader team.
- Mentor other tactical buyers.
- Execute and own the fulfillment process from order creation to invoice.
- RFx management under Delegated threshold.
- Managing local negotiations within the Delegated threshold.
- Receiving purchase requisitions (PR) and transforming them into purchase orders (PO).
- Ensuring accuracy of the order, commodity code, ship to location, supplier information on PO, and relevant notes/comments on the PO document.
- Manage orders and meet with internal teams weekly to review priorities and provide status updates on open orders.
- Engage with Suppliers and ensure they acknowledge PO receipt and provide delivery commitment.
- Follow-up and expediting of purchase orders.
- Managing disputes and medium & high-level problem solution.
- Reporting medium & high-level procurement issues to Supply Chain Manager /Category Buyers/Managers (CB/CM).
- Prepare reports on purchases, including cost analysis.
- Works in an integrated team within Industry and in close contact with CB/CM and Procurement Project Managers (PPM).
- Maintain close relationship with Suppliers and other Tactical Buyers.
- Collect, challenge and master PRs priorities in coordination with Project Planning and industry requirement.
- Support KPIs for the role in coordination with Supply Chain Manager.
- Monitor performance of the role according to the best practices in place in Industry.
- Works proactively with tactical team to enhance performance of the Function.
- Provide support in the implementation of improved SAP functionality to improve purchasing efficiencies.
- Becomes knowledgeable about company purchasing policies/procedures and continually monitors day-to-day activities for compliance. Also recommends changes as appropriate to procurement management on policies and/or procedures to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the department.
- Supports activities to ensure compliance with ISO series quality accreditation and Defense regulatory requirements.
- Maintain an ethical approach to tasks and relationships in accordance with relevant Thales policies.

**Minimum Requirements**
- Minimum 5 years of relevant experience performing similar activities within a supply chain environment.
- Experience and ability to understand contract terms & conditions.
- Previous experience using of SAP or other Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
- Able to prioritize tasks while meeting deadlines in high-pressure environment.
- Ability to work individually and as part of a team & cross-functional team.
- Open minded and able to listen, share ideas while bringing added value / capturing innovation.
- Proficient in MS Office Suite.
- Excellent communication and people skills.

**Preferred Qualifications**
- Bachelor’s Degree, Purchasing Certification and/or 5 years of Procurement/Purchasing experience.
- Knowledge of Export regulations.
- Bilingual: English/ French.
- Knowledge of Industrial Technical Benefits, Canadian Content Value.
- Previous experience in the Defe