Regional Category Manager

**Position Summary**

This is a hybrid position located in Cuernavaca, Morelos or Mexico City with 3 days in the office.

Thales is looking for a **Regional Category Manager **who is in charge of one or several procurement categories and/or sub-categories for the entire region in which they operate. This position is specifically is to lead the procurement of Supply Chain Services (C15) - Logistics, Freight Transportation, Integrators, Packaging category across various market sectors within the region covering the needs/suppliers in the North and Latin Americas region.

In this role, you will ensure that the execution of bids and projects in addition to enterprise requirements are in line with the business and corporate objectives, and that timeframes and deliverables align in order to deliver the best overall outcome for Thales in terms of cost, service and quality of products/services from suppliers/subcontractors.

The role covers all the market sectors within Thales, and as such requires an excellent view of the organization as well as a strong ability to interact with senior stakeholders. You will be knowledgeable of the Supply Chain Services and possess the necessary leadership behaviors to develop and drive category strategy.

**Key Areas of Responsibility**
- Develop a category strategy, which meets the regional and global business objectives.
- Actively sourcing, assessing and qualifying potential suppliers.
- Understand the demand for this type of activities across Thales.
- Set up contractual agreements.
- Analyze and report on Spend Management.
- With the support of the Global Category Manager, keep abreast of industry/ family best practices.
- Execute the sourcing strategy through a disciplined RFI/ RFQ tendering process.
- Manage the RFQ process, which includes creation of RFQ package, release to market, review supplier responses, provide recommendations.
- Identify risks and opportunities.
- Influence the design and/ or specification to generate additional savings.
- Propose a negotiation strategy and lead the negotiation.
- Coordinate closure on the final decision.
- Execute the procurement contract.
- Manage the supplier’s performance (quality, cost and timely delivery), including risks and opportunities.
- Lead the supplier performance review program.
- Manage key Project stakeholders.

**Minimum Requirements**
- Solid Procurement experience of the Freight Transportation, Logistics, Brokerage, Packaging Categories gained within a large blue chip organization within the North & Latin American countries.
- Bachelors in Supply Chain, Procurement and/or Masters in Business.
- 7+ Years Procurement, Contract Management or Commercial experience
- Experience working in a complex Project environment.
- Experience working within a large organization and dealing with all levels of management.
- Strong Communication skills, both written and verbal in English.
- Ability to develop strong relationship with internal stakeholders and influence decisions.
- Displays passion, energy, drive, agility and resilience in achieving work-related goals under difficult circumstances.
- Team player and ability to interface well and influence effectively at all levels with internal customers, partners and suppliers.
- Ability to work under their own initiative and within agreed frameworks.
- Business aware and customer oriented with organization and commercial awareness.
- Manage time effectively and prioritize workload.
- Flexible and open to change.
- Pro-active and enthusiastic attitude

**Special Position Requirements**

Travel: Regular domestic and moderate intercontinental travel may be required.

LI-Hybrid