Procurement Category Manager (Local Japanese)

Location: Tokyo, JapanThales is a global technology leader trusted by governments, institutions, and enterprises to tackle their most demanding challenges. From quantum applications and artificial intelligence to cybersecurity and 6G innovation, our solutions empower critical decisions rooted in human intelligence. Operating at the forefront of aerospace and space, cybersecurity and digital identity, we’re driven by a mission to build a future we can all trust.Present in Japan since 1970, Thales promotes technological innovation and is an active and recognised partner for the development of Japanese infrastructure. Our strategy focuses on strengthening local partnerships and collaborating with key Japanese industrial players to address global needs as we continuously establish a dynamic and skilled workforce.The position is responsible for leading supplier selection processes to meet business needs and for ensuring the effective deployment, implementation, and monitoring of agreed category strategies.Additionally, this role:Manages supplier relationships and drives continuous improvement within their category, with support from the Supplier Performance Management Team as necessary.Oversees supplier performance in areas such as quality, cost, delivery, contractual compliance, and innovation.A key aspect of this role is to ensure that suppliers deliver the competitiveness required to support the business and to implement optimal changes to the supply base in order to enhance the company’s ability to win new business.Reporting to the relevant Global Category Manager and / or Category(ies) Team leader (CTL) depending on geographic location.Key Figures: Annual volume of commitment and spend within relevant category (ies) and % of Savings Number of suppliers for the given category and the structured closure of legacy, close and disengage suppliers as defined by the category strategies Year on year competitiveness and cost reductions Category operational performance (quality, on-time delivery, supply risk assessment, ..) % Category compliance with policy suppliers based on both commitment and spend Involve in the creation of specific contract(s) where there is a business needThe Procurement Category Manager may support one or several procurement categories.The position is accountable for end-to-end performance of the acquisition process, via the management of the RFI &/or RFP's until the Pvet 4 stage (up to PVet 5 based on some Regions) - Pvet is a core component of the acquisition process.In addition to this their main tasks are:Operational Support: Ensure the BA's receive all required information to raise the Procurement Orders.Procurement Competitiveness Capture: Monitor the markets for defined categories including key players, newcomers, economic evolutions, market or regulation constraints, innovations and technology in order to support the development of the most up to date category strategies to the businesses. Based on the above provide insights as to how products / projects could be more competitive via the adoption of different suppliers / methodologies / technology etc.Governance, Leadership and Performance Management: Ensure appropriate governance is applied using KPI's and root cause corrective actionsSupplier / Acquisition Management: Performance management of the supply base in line with the standards set out by the Global Category Manager. Ensure that supplier competitions follow the governance process and are balanced and fair in order to improve business and customer performance. Ensure that global contracts / framework agreements are adopted and utilised. Ensure that Thales e-Acquisition and all THALES procurement tools are fully used. Based on the performance management of the supply base identify the suppliers who require focused development actions and ensure that the Supplier Development Team have the required support / leverage in order for these actions to be successful.At Thales, we’re committed to fostering a workplace where respect, trust, collaboration, and passion drive everything we do. Here, you’ll feel empowered to bring your best self, thrive in a supportive culture, and love the work you do. Join us, and be part of a team reimagining technology to create solutions that truly make a difference – for a safer, greener, and more inclusive world.