Supplier Development Manager - Riyadh

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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.

We have been present in Saudi Arabia for 40 years and with over 600 employees to date, we are growing rapidly. Together we are delivering our signalling, control and train protection systems for the North –South Railway (NSR), the longest system of it’s kind in the world. Together we are key suppliers of In-flight entertainment and connectivity systems as well as air traffic management solutions in Saudi. We are making Saudi Arabia a safer place by securing the country’s critical infrastructure and e-security solutions that secure the country’s electronic payment systems. Thales has been selected to supply major electronic systems for air defence and the Group also supplied communication and optronic systems for the Army, the Saudi Arabia National Guards and the Air Force.

Job Title: Supplier Development Manager 

Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia & Egypt

Our Opportunity:

The main missions of Supplier Development Manager are : 

• Define with the highest level of expertise within the industry, the concrete short term performances transformation plan (OTD, OCD) at supplier site (involving physical and information flow re-design), ensuring sustainable improvements for all Thales entities 

• Conduct change management at supplier to ensure long term improvement of supplier maturity 

• Influence the supplier on its innovation & strategy orientations vis a vis of Thales

• Coach Supplier organisation on implementation of best in class supply chain & quality processes (ad'hoc training, project management...)

• Act as an expert referent at group level for various supplier development tools & process and coach SPM in their implementation

• Operationally drive action plan implementation at supplier, in the name of all Thales entities

• Be accountable and responsible for the group of the achievements of Supplier Performance targets, including for actions linked to internal processes improvements

• Create conditions of success  to improve the business development with the selected suppliers

• Act as a single point of contact between Thales entities and his selected list of suppliers for managing operational issues 

• Leverage an SPM network at entity level, to implement internal action plans & collect operational datas 

Supplier Development mission may also rely on performing independent  assessment of industrial and engineering maturity  of Thales worldwide suppliers, in line with the strategy of the Global Category Manager (GCM), in order to identify findings, to be taken into account by suppliers through   an improvement/risk mitigation plan .

About You:

• Relevant experience of 10-15 years

• Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Supply Chain or Electronics/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering.

• Experience with End to End (from NPI (New Product Introduction) to production) supplier performance (supply chain & quality)

• Experience with production transfers

• Experience of end-to-end Part Development process & Manufacturing

• Should have handled Audits and engaged in Supplier Development activities. (Certifications will be added advantage)

• Well conversant with Quality Management System standards

• Should have exposure to Program Management tools

• Lean / Six sigma and Quality tools knowledge

• Analytical, Problem Solving, Inter-personal and Presentation skills

• Strong negotiation skills are required

• Strong written and verbal communication skills (Fluent in English- mandatory)

• Certification in Lean, Six-Sigma Green Belt will be an added advantage

• Exposure to Automotive & Aerospace / Defense Industry background.

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.

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At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working. Great journeys start here, apply now!