Tactical Buyer at Thales USA, Inc. (ATM) in Shawnee, Kansas

Job Description:

Location: Overland Park, United States of America

Thales people architect solutions that are relied upon to deliver operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defensive systems for land, sea, and air. From early warning, to threat neutralisation, our platforms cover all levels from very short-range systems, to extended protection across the entire battle-space including Airspace Mobility Solutions, Vehicles and Tactical Systems and Missile Defence, Optronics, and Radar.

The Tactical Buyer will be responsible for the day-to-day execution of the essential workload including but not limited to requesting quotations, negotiating pricing (within the Delegation of Authority thresholds), issuing and ensuring accuracy of the order, GL account, project number, relevant notes and requirements for the Purchase Order and any related documentation. Incumbent is responsible for securing the best procurement solution (quality, price and timing), meeting the customer needs while aligning with relevant strategy.  Buyers also have the responsibility of managing disputes that may arise throughout the process.

Essential Functions / Key Areas of Responsibility

• Receiving procurement requests and verifying their conformity to operating methods.


• Transforming procurement requests into procurement orders.


• Managing purchasing order cancellation, rescheduling or PO information change (quantity, price).


• Make sure that suppliers acknowledge P.O. receipt and provide delivery commitment.


• Follow-up and expediting of Procurement orders.


• Ensuring accuracy of the order, GL account, or project number, ship to location, supplier information on Procurement order, and relevant notes/comments on the Procurement order document.


• Responsible for ensuring all Supplier Accounts Payable do not fall into past due status. Assists the Finance department by resolving invoices issues/discrepancies to ensure timely accurate payment


• Managing disputes and problem resolution


• Managing local negotiations within the DoA threshold.


• RFx management in e-ACQ under DoA.


• Prepare reports on Procurements, including cost analysis.

• Convert all purchase requisitions to purchase orders on time


• Buyer Shortages – manage, action and escalate shortages.


• As part of the integrated project/program team, perform assigned roles and responsibilities


• Lead actions to improve customer OTD.


• Maintain aging for all suppliers assigned < 2 days


• Manage workload while being compliant to established department KPIs


• Provide updates as requested: Collaborates with any required internal areas (Engineering, Repairs, Planning, Warehouse, QA, etc.) providing updates as requested


• Implement and lead recovery meetings/ Tiger teams.


• Communicate to management and leadershipproject actions, owners, due dates, timelines, escalations as requested


• Ability to drive issues to closure with minimal supervision


• Interface regularly with Engineering, Supply Chain Operations, Regional Procurement Managers, Quality, and Program Management

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Economics, Engineering or a related field of study is required with a minimum or 1-4+ years of relevant work experience, or a Master’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Economics, Engineering or a related field of study with 0-2+ years of relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.


• 1-5 years of experience requesting quotations, negotiating pricing (within the Delegation of Authority thresholds), issuing and ensuring accuracy of the order, GL account, project number, relevant notes and requirements for the Purchase Order and any related documentation


• 1-5 years of experience responsible for securing the best procurement solution (quality, price and timing), meeting the customer needs while aligning with relevant strategy.  Buyers also have the responsibility of managing disputes that may arise throughout the process.


• Strong analytical skills


• Must have strong problem-solving and organization skills and be able to drive assignments to successful conclusion.


• Extensive Proficiency with MS Office, especially Excel


• Hard work – tackle each task with determination, passion and creativity; the willingness to put in whatever effort is required to successfully complete the job at hand


• Pursuit of Excellence – strive to consistently exceed expectations in our day-to-day work and outperform our competitors in the marketplace, regarding work and company achievements as a collaborative goal with the desire to go above and beyond


• Integrity - treat the company and teammates with upmost respect, operating on strong moral codes to drive company values and culture


• Sense of Urgency – drive forward each day with speed, agility, and flexibility to capture unrealized opportunities and avoid potential risks for the business


• Entrepreneurial Spirit – act like an owner, challenging the status quo, asking the right questions, and actively seeking ways to innovate and improve


• Adaptability – be fluid with Thales’s continuous evolution while driving change in a fast-paced environment, equipped with the ability to acclimate quickly.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1-3 years of strategic sourcing or supply chain experience


• SAP Experience


• Aviation supply chain experience


• Master’s Degree


• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills within a complex organization


• Able to interpret engineering parts list, drawings and BOM.

Special Position Requirements:

• Schedule: 9/80 or 5/40 work schedules available


• Travel: Travel may be required on occasion, anticipated to be less than 5% travel annually.

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.

Successful applicant must comply with federal contractor vaccine mandate requirements.

Thales champions inclusion and we believe diversity strengthens the fabric of our culture. We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law

If you need an accommodation or assistance in order to apply for a position with Thales, please contact us at talentacquisition@us.thalesgroup.com.

Salary: