Product/Project Procurement Manager

Start Date

10/15/2026

End Date
4/30/2027

% Allocation
100%

Engagement Type
Vendor Sourced

Business Days
140.00

Payment Structure
Hourly

Days per Week
5

Unit Type
Hourly

Units per Day
8.00

# of Openings
1

Job Title
Product/Project Procurement ManagerDescription

TOGETHER WE ENTERTAIN MORE THAN 750,000 PASSENGERS A DAY WHILE IN-FLIGHT

Thales InFlyt Experience products offer end-to-end solutions that support our customers before, during and after the flight.
Thales supplies in-flight entertainment and connectivity experiences to more than 60 airlines around the globe and as a trusted airline partner is committed to building its position as an industry leader.
We are proud that our InFlyt Experience systems are used by over 274 million passengers a year.

We are currently looking for a Product /Project Procurement Manager to join the Thales Avionics, a subsidiary of Thales USA team in Irvine, CA.

Key Responsibilities:

To challenge the acquisition needs and requirements and to promote design to cost analysis with the suppliers, during the definition phase of the solution, in order to increase the competitiveness of the solution and to define the acquisition strategy whilst taking into account:

• The offer available on the market / the accessible innovations or breakthroughs on the market
• The Make or Buy analysis (both structural and project-oriented)
• The prime contract requirements, with an appropriate flow down according to the acquisition context
• The access to Market criteria (KIP, partnership,,...)
• The Thales Group purchasing policies
• The acquisition needs within the Bid/ Project / Product , to organize these needs into purchasing work packages and
• The legal and regulatory requirements (export control, environmental rules, social regulations...).
• To validate the procure-ability aspects of the product or project design.
• Define the resulting acquisition plan, in order to optimize the cost of the purchased part, with the support of the Family Buyers
• Commit the Purchasing Directorate to the cost and competitiveness of the purchased part (in BID phase) through the Purchasing Executive Summary (PES) presented at Gate 2
• Execute the acquisition plan (in project phase / product development and production phase) in accordance with the allocated targets ( Time, Quality, Total Cost of Ownership, Risks & Opportunities, )
• Liaise with technical teams and Family Buyers to monitor the execution of the purchasing plan
• Define and monitor the contractual requirement of the acquisition
• Comply with the "Manage Acquisition process as per Chorus 2 and use the acquisition tools in place in the organization ( e-Acquisition, ERP,...) for all activities
• He/She has a strong impact on the definition of the solution in order to increase the competitiveness of our solutions.
• He/She is the link between the Thales business and the family buyers. He/She has to provide all the information regarding customers and operational needs. He/She is able to present the innovations of our suppliers in order to influence the design of the solutions.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, supply chain, or business with 8-12+ years' experience or Master's degree in field with 6+ years' experience
• Understanding of the in-flight entertainment and aerospace connectivity industry and of products' lifecycles a plus
• Understanding of Make/Buy approaches and inputs as well as supplier risk assessment and mitigation planning
• Ability to capture the long term vision of a product or strategic objectives of a project and apply procurement expertise to aid in meeting the same
• Ability to make commitments and delivery what they promise
• Bid and Program management competencies
• Ability to provide added value to product/project solutions through their experience and background
• Experience in designing solutions for customers is necessary
• Capability to manage by influence and to convince
• Open minded (listen, share ideas) and bring added value / capture innovation
• Capability to handle conflicts / problem resolution
• To be agile (adapt in a complex environment, multi-cultural aspect open )
• Excellent intercommunication in written and verbal formats in his environment
• Ability to prioritize tasks while meeting deadlines in high-pressure environment
• Able to synthetize a global view of a complex problem

DeliverablesAdditional TermsSupplier Comments

Work Location: In Office Orlando on site is preferred Please source Orlando primarily. Irvine, CA is a back up location, but this person will work East Coast hours.

Interviews: Teams

Thales is looking for a Procurement Manager, who will be responsible for all Procurements that are part of several Bid / Project / Product delivery project.

This person is the lead PPM on specific projects that are product based.

Must have the confidence and proven ability to lead internally as well as suppliers.

This person will be managing stakeholder expectations, challenges, & frustrations coming from procurement. They must be able to manage troubled waters with people they have no authority over (suppliers).

They will maintain process while supporting the business needs.

This person is responsible for tight schedules

Top must haves:

Global supply chain experience

Product development from procurement perspective

More PM experience over tactical procurement role is strategic - not tactical buying

Supplier Database experience

SAP is preferred but not required

Engineering databases and multilevel BOMs (BOMs change frequently. They need to review revisions).

Top nice to haves:

Total cost analysis

Strategic sourcing or competitive RFQs

Cost savings initiatives

Aerospace/Avionics experience is a huge plus

Country
United States of America

Province/State
California

City
Irvine