Senior Project Buyer

Ottawa ON. (CAN.) Hybrid

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 aerospace transportation defence security and space our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrows possible.

For decades Ottawa has been a global technology leader. Today Canadas capital holds one of the brightest and most diverse technological ecosystems in North America. The Thales Ottawa office has been a major supplier and long-term trusted partner to DND enabling the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Coast Guard to achieve mission success.

Thales has a vacancy for a Senior Project Buyer to support the AJISS Engineering Changes Team across the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship In-Service Support (AJISS) program. As a Senior Project Buyer you will translate engineering change requirements into purchasable executable work packagesensuring Purchase Orders (POs) are issued on time supplier commitments are aligned to delivery and milestone expectations and risks/issues are identified early and resolved decisively. You will also increase organizational knowledge by mentoring improving practices and strengthening end-to-end purchasing/supply execution. You will act as an experienced and independent owner for purchasing execution and supply readiness that enables engineering change delivery and act as the interface between the AJISS engineering team procurement and suppliers ensuring projects meet their targets risks are managed and communication remains transparent.

Regulatory Compliance Requirement

This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware software or technical information controlled under the Canadian Export Control List and /or the US the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be eligible or able to obtain authorization for such access.

• Own end-to-end AJISS engineering-change procurement/supply execution: manage sourcing PO creation/issuance supplier documentation and ensure technical/contractual alignment (scope quantities specs terms lead times quality/compliance delivery).
• Drive schedule and milestone performance: track work package progress proactively identify risks (lead time slippage capacity technical clarifications documentation readiness) and lead recovery actions/escalations to protect AJISS deliverables.
• Manage defense-approved/program-relevant suppliers: build and maintain relationships support readiness and delivery planning and ensure suppliers meet commitments for delivery dates quality and required documentation.
• Serve as cross-functional purchasing interface: partner with engineering program/project management category management quality operations finance legal and bid/capture; provide transparent status forecasts and risk reporting with timely escalation.
• Run post-award supplier execution & performance management (where applicable): monitor delivery performance execute supplier recovery/containment support conduct performance reviews and ensure corrective actions are initiated tracked and verified.
• Support change governance and continuous improvement: represent procurement interests in change review boards and cross-functional meetings; continuously improve purchasing/supply execution workflows to reduce cycle time rework and schedule variance (including lessons learned and templates).
• Ensure compliance and audit-ready evidence: maintain complete accurate and audit-ready records of orders compliance artifacts correspondence and acceptance evidence; ensure all interactions meet contractual ethical and regulatory requirements.
• Escalate and lead resolution of systemic issues: identify root causes of purchasing/supply bottlenecks and propose practical mitigations (alternative suppliers revised delivery sequencing PO scope/terms updates revised recovery plans).
• Be a go-to resource and (where needed) mentor others: support the team proactively reduce friction between functions and share process knowledge/best practices.

Engagement Points:
Internal:

• Work Package Manager (WPM) / Project Manager (PM):alignment on scope schedule risks issues and supplier performance; ensure purchasing actions support recovery and commitment management.
• Engineering Design Manager (EDM) / Engineering:Collaborate to clarify technical requirements manage Statement of Work (SoW) deliverables and ensure seamless management of technical interfaces.
• Procurement / Category Management:Ensure sourcing strategies are aligned coordinate handover from pre-award activities and provide feedback on supplier performance for future sourcing decisions.
• Project Manager:Track and forecast costs support and manage budgets/EAC and control milestones and payments related to supplier contracts.
• Quality / Safety / RAM / Industrial / Operations:Monitor and manage supplier performance in quality safety industrialization compliance and timely delivery.
• Legal / Commercial:Support contract variations claims disputes and escalations ensuring adherence to contractual and legal requirements.
• Bid / Capture Teams:Provide insights on supplier performance risks and costs to inform bids and proposals for future projects.

External:

• Key suppliers / subcontractors:Manage day-to-day commercial and performance relationships to ensure project success.
• Customer representatives (where appropriate):Coordinate supplier-related matters impacting project delivery and customer commitments.
• Auditors or regulatory bodies (as required):Provide evidence of supplier compliance with contractual ethical and regulatory requirements.

• 8 years relevant experience in procurement supply chain commercial or contract management with clear exposure to post award supplier management.
• Experience in procurement or supply chain within the defense or high-compliance industry ideally supporting in-service support or engineering change programs.
• Strong project management and milestone tracking skills using relevant tools (e.g. SAP MS Project).
• Excellent supplier engagement and relationship management abilities.
• Proactive risk identification and mitigation skills; able to challenge delays constructively.
• Effective communicator in cross-functional high-stakes environments.
• Working knowledge of defense industry regulations government contracting and AJISS program requirements is highly desirable.
• The candidate must meet all the following criteria:

a) possess a university degree in any field and possess a minimum of 2 years of demonstrated experience in a procurement and finance related activity within the last 5 years or possess a diploma from a recognized college program in procurement finance economics commerce accounting or materiel management and possess a minimum of 3 years of demonstrated experience in a procurement and finance related activity within the last 6 years; and

All applicants must be able to obtain a Canadian NATO Secret clearance and meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the Canadian Controlled Goods Registration Program and ITAR.

• Professional qualifications or training in one or more of the following:
  • Procurement / supply chain (e.g. CIPS or equivalent)
  • Project management (e.g. PRINCE2 APM or equivalent)
  • Commercial / contract management
• Degree (or equivalent experience) in business commercial engineering or related discipline.

Values & Behaviours

• Customer focused delivering on commitments to internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborative building strong relationships across functions and with suppliers.
• Accountable taking ownership for outcomes and driving issues to resolution.
• Agile adapting quickly to changing priorities scope and constraints.
• Innovative seeking continuous improvement in supplier performance and ways of working.
• Ethical and transparent acting with integrity in all supplier interactions.

• Role will require working from both office (3) and home (2) (hybrid).
• Schedule: 40 working hours per week Monday- Friday. Flexible time however accommodating core hours of 9 am-3 pm project needs and global/international time zones.

Pay Transparency

The anticipated Total Target Compensation (TTC) inclusive of annual salary and bonus eligibility for this role is $60000 to 100000 CAD Annual. The Company reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation depending on circumstances not related to an applicants status protected by local provincial and federal laws.

AI

We use artificial intelligenceenabled tools as part of our recruitment process to support activities such as candidate discovery résumé matching and interview scheduling. These tools may help screen and assess applications and recommend potential matches based on the requirements within the job description. All hiring decisions including candidate evaluation selection and disposition are made by human recruiters. Artificial intelligence does not make hiring decisions on our behalf.

What We Offer

• Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 24 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents including the following:
• Company paid Extended Health Dental HSA Life AD&D Short-term Disability Cancer Care Program travel insurance Employee Assistance Plan and Well-Being program.
• Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP DCPP TFSA) with a company contribution and a match to a DCPP with no vesting period.
• Company paid holidays vacation days and paid sick leave.
• Voluntary Life AD&D Critical Illness Long-Term Disability.
• Employee Discounts on home auto and gym membership.

Why Join Us

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Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 24 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents including the following:

Company paid Extended Health Dental HSA Life AD&D Short-term Disability Cancer Care Program travel insurance Employee Assistance Plan and Well-Being program.

Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP DCPP TFSA) with a company contribution and a match to a DCPP with no vesting period.

Company paid holidays vacation days and paid sick leave.

Voluntary Life AD&D Critical Illness Long-Term Disability.

Employee Discounts on home auto and gym membership.

Thales is an equal opportunity employer which values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. Thales is committed to providing accommodations in all parts of the interview process. Applicants selected for an interview who require accommodation are asked to advise accordingly upon the invitation for an interview. We will work with you to meet your needs. All accommodation information provided will be treated as confidential and used only for the purpose of providing an accessible candidate experience.