Subcontract Manager

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.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

In this position you will be fully responsible for the management of subcontracted suppliers within a specified bid, product or project liaising with our suppliers. You will be working with them developing and delivering complex, high risk, high value equipment or services normally under specific terms and conditions in lieu of purchase orders.

The successful candidate may be responsible for subcontract management across the end to end life cycle ( e.g. development – bid – contract – execution) and this could involve frequent travel and close engagement of suppliers to ensure that requirements are executed in accordance with technical, program, cost and performance (quality and delivery) requirements.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks:

We are looking for an experienced Sub Contract Manager, who is used to working with Senior Stakeholders. You will be working on a large range of contracts for the business and may be required to commute on a regular basis. We are looking for an individual who has drive and gravitas to unlock savings/cost efficiencies and deliver performance from our major subcontractors and joint ventures through negotiation, joint working etc.

Responsibilities for Supplier Management

• Manage, and be accountable for, the overall performance and compliance of their Supplier(s).
• Ensure Supplier requirements are executed achieving favourable conditions and consistency with technical, program, cost and performance (quality and delivery) requirements.
• Manage the procurement of all requirements for allocated Supplier(s) in full compliance to processes.
• Be the sole point of contact for all communications between us and the Supplier(s)
• Generate/review RFQs, ensuring bid and program requirements are captured.
• Evaluate supplier proposals for compliance against requirements and identify areas of risk/concern
• Create accurate Procurement estimates, covering labour, material and Total Cost of Ownership to the bid team
• Manage the schedule and performance of allocated work packages, ensuring rigorous adherence to project management, quality and technical governance. Coordinate and lead subcontract review meetings including Identification and mobilisation of internal support to sub-contracts from other departments.
• Use negotiated sub-contracts, including appropriate Customer flow down, to support Project budget constraints and achieve timely performance whilst minimising programme risk and exploiting programme opportunities.
• Recognise export controls associated with supply chain architecture and program requirements including: ITAR(TAAs(& TCPs)/MLAs) EAR ECCN,UK & foreign Military and Dual-Use Controls
• Attend regular Progress Report Meetings with all Supplier(s) as part of managing performance and resolving issues in a jointly agreed and coordinated fashion.
• Monthly measurement of Supplier metrics and enforcement of contractual agreement where Key Performance Indicators are not being met.
• Review, monitor and communicate supplier financial stability, identify risk areas prior to engagement and recognise trigger points where further analysis would be required.

Right for this role?

Skills and Experience

• Broad range of Procurement skills focused on: Needs Analysis, Design to Cost, Make-Team-Buy, Technical Interface Management, Supplier Management, Risk and Opportunity Management, Subcontract Management.
• Convincing written and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Interpersonal skills to optimise cross organisation working and to work effectively with Supplier(s).
• Analytical skills
• Commercially astute with advanced negotiation skills and experience including differing contracting models
• Well-developed organisational skills
• Supplier Relationship and Performance Management techniques and measurement
• Desirable MCIPS or equivalent qualifications in other disciplines, particularly Project Management
• Uses full understanding of internal and external customer needs to build a strong customer first culture within the solutions they define and the team in which they work.

What We Can Offer

We’re committed to giving you opportunities to be your best We believe in embracing the passion and potential of our people, and to achieve this we offer market leading training, development and experiences, along with the opportunity to be mentored and coached by some of the smartest minds in the industry We hire from within as our first priority, so you’ll have a myriad of opportunities within our diverse, global organisation.

Flexibility

Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

We are an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to our success.

In line with Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With us 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.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

Great journeys start here, apply now!