Sr. Buyer

Location: Irvine, United States of America

Thales people architect solutions that enable two-thirds of planes to take off and land safely. We create in-flight entertainment systems that engross 50 million fliers every year and we develop the avionics that control the world’s largest commercial aircrafts. Our simulators train the next generation of pilots for fighter jets, transporters and search and rescue helicopters. And, together, each and every member of our aerospace team makes a difference.

Sr. Buyer

Irvine, CA and or Orlando, FL (Hybrid)

Position Summary

Thales is looking for a Sr Buyer, whose role is to support the Thales IFEC division through the execution of tactical procurement activities, including the transformation of purchase requisitions into purchase orders, supplier follow-up, and day-to-day purchasing support. This role is responsible for ensuring procurement transactions are completed accurately, efficiently, and in alignment with service-level expectations, business requirements, and procurement strategies.

In this position, you will manage the procurement process from requisition through purchase order execution, ensuring accuracy of order details, general ledger accounts, project numbers, required documentation, supplier inputs, and relevant purchase order notes. You will request quotations, support pricing negotiations within Delegation of Authority thresholds, follow up on supplier deliveries, expedite orders when needed, and help resolve procurement-related disputes. Partnering closely with Category Buyers and cross-functional stakeholders, you will support sourcing activities through quote preparation, data analysis, quote summaries, and supplier input review, while helping secure the best procurement solution across quality, cost, and timing to meet customer and business needs.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Execute day-to-day purchasing activities by receiving and reviewing procurement requests, validating conformity to operating methods, transforming purchase requisitions into purchase orders, and ensuring all PO details are accurate, including GL account, project number, ship-to location, supplier information, quantities, pricing, and relevant notes or documentation.
• Manage purchase order lifecycle activity by handling PO acknowledgements, supplier delivery commitments, cancellations, reschedules, quantity or price changes, follow-up actions, and expediting efforts to support delivery timelines, service levels, and business priorities.
• Support supplier performance and issue resolution by monitoring assigned supplier activity, managing disputes, addressing Accounts Payable aging, helping prevent past-due supplier accounts, and driving timely corrective actions for shortages, delivery issues, and open procurement risks.
• Conduct tactical sourcing and negotiation activities by requesting quotations, managing RFx activity in e-ACQ within Delegation of Authority thresholds, preparing quote summaries and cost analysis, and supporting local negotiations to secure the best procurement solution across cost, quality, and timing.
• Ensure procurement governance and process compliance by following Thales procurement policy, Chorus 2.0 “Manage Acquisition” processes, PVet requirements, and required procurement tools, while maintaining transparency, audit readiness, and alignment with global procurement standards.
• Partner cross-functionally to support program and operational needs by working closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, Regional Procurement, Category Buyers, Procurement Product Project Managers, Quality, and Program Management to address priorities, roadblocks, customer order impacts, on-time delivery risks, project updates, escalations, and New Product Integration support.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Economics, Engineering, or a related field with 5+ years of supply chain experience working directly with suppliers; or a High School diploma with 7+ years of related experience.
• Strong technical and analytical skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Excel functions such as VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, and data analysis, as well as Microsoft Office and Teams.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, drive assignments to completion, resolve issues, and support successful business outcomes.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across a complex organization and build productive relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Strong sense of urgency, adaptability, and ownership, with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, respond quickly to changing business needs, challenge the status quo, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Commitment to Thales values and operational excellence, including integrity, accountability, servant leadership, teamwork, continuous improvement, and a willingness to go above and beyond to support business goals.

Special Position Requirements

• 3+ years of strategic sourcing experience, with the ability to support sourcing activities, supplier engagement, quote management, and procurement strategy execution.
• SAP experience preferred, with familiarity using ERP systems to manage purchase orders, supplier information, promise dates, procurement activity, and related reporting.
• Schedule: Core business hours, Monday through Friday; may be required to work outside of standard business hours as needed to meet business objectives.
•  Travel: Occasional travel to supplier locations may be required.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer at the time of hire. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or for assuming sponsorship of an employment visa now or in the future.

If you’re excited about working with Thales, but not meeting the requirements for this position, we encourage you to join our Talent Community!

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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.

We are an equal opportunity employer, including disability and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, 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 [email protected].

The reference Total Target Compensation (TTC) market range for this position, inclusive of annual base salary and the variable compensation target, is between

Total Target Cash (TTC) 82,731.00 - 139,525.00 USD Annual

This reflects how companies in a similar industry and geographic region generally pay for similar jobs. This range helps the Company make pay decisions as one data point among many. Where a position falls within this range is also dependent on other factors including – but not limited to – the employee’s career path history, competencies, skills and performance, as well as the company’s annual salary budget, the customer’s program requirements, and the company’s internal equity. Thales may offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s status protected by local, state, or federal law.

(For Internal candidate, if you need more information, please reach out to your HR Shared Service, 1st Point) 

Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 30 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following:

•Elective Health, Dental, Vision, FSA/HSA, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Whole Group Life w/LTC, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Plan, Identity Theft, and Pet Insurance

•Retirement Savings Plan after 30 days of employment with a company contribution and a match, and with no vesting period

•Company paid holidays and Paid Time Off

•Company provided Life Insurance, AD&D, Disability, Employee Assistance Plan, and Well-being Program