NPI Buyer

Thales 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 India since 1953, Thales is headquartered in Noida and has other operational offices and sites spread across Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru and Mumbai, among others. Over 2200 employees are working with Thales and its joint ventures in India. Since the beginning, Thales has been playing an essential role in India's growth story by sharing its technologies and expertise in Defence, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital sectors. Thales has two engineering competence centres in India - one in Noida focused on Cyber & Digital business, while the one in Bengaluru focuses on hardware, software and systems engineering capabilities for both the civil and defence sectors, serving global needs. The Group has also established an MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) facility in Gurugram to provide comprehensive avionics maintenance and repair services to Indian airlines and support the growth of the local aviation industry.

The New Product Introduction (NPI) buyer is responsible to drive electronic components, cables, mechanical prototype parts and materials in SAP ERP system and manage material logistics during NPI product development phase. Communicates with procurement, industrial operations and supply chain management for seamless transition from prototype builds to production builds, responsible for risk analysis on advance order of parts/materials prior to being qualified for production.

NPI buyer is responsible for the DTC (design to cost) processes. Works closely with IFEC LRU HW development leadership team across the globe. Communicates and interacts with the Product Mangers (PM), Project Engineer (PE), Industrial Engineer (ILE), to present material status, progress, risks, opportunities, action plan as necessary.

Internal customers:

• Project Manager, Product management, Industrial OPS, Purchasing and Procurement, Customer Program management.

Managing:

• Development partners, contract manufacturers, suppliers and vendors.

• Oversees embedded hardware development material planning and creates purchase requisitions (PR) in SAP ERP system and work with Procurement to ensure purchase order (PO) based on PR from NPI are submitted and processed.
• Ensures that material inventory is received and managed for prototypes, pre-production and initial mass production embedded electronic HW, cables, avionics racks and cabinets. Maintains material costs database and updates management on a regular basis.
• Identifies cost drivers for DTC (Design to Cost).
• Implement cost savings initiatives on sustaining customer programs utilizing competitive quoting and analysis of alternate solutions and part numbers.
• Maintains the Recurring Cost Budgets with third parties suppliers and vendors
• Collects various engineering development teams, programs, sales, services, etc. material demands and submits to Supply Chain Management for input into SAP.

Technical skills:

• Bachelor's degree or associated degree in relevant field
• Minimum of 3 years of experience and proven track record in New Product Introduction (NPI) activities in high tech electronic industries
• SAP knowledge - intermediate level inquiry and report generation is a must
• Evidence of excellent communication skills, effectively managing projects and working with global cross-functional teams
• Must be very good with materials, mechanical parts and electronic components logistics, planning, well organized and resourceful
• Working with multiple program tasks, setting the right priorities and understanding program needs
• Expert skills in Microsoft Excel, including lookup tables and other advanced features is a must
• Skills in Microsoft Office use: Project, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint
• Leadership skills / Personal skills:

  Self-starter with the ability to work through ambiguity and evolving requirements

  Must be able to multitask in an environment requirement a high level of detail and accuracy, work independently with guidance and take ownership of all assigned tasks

  Capable of presenting information to management team and influencing key stakeholders

  Ability to prioritize tasks while meeting deadlines in a high-pressure environment

  Ability to relentlessly track and follow-up on open issues and action items

  Ability to drive for results, hold self and others accountable, and continuously improve

• Understanding and experience within aerospace industry
• Knowledge of the RFI, RFQ processes
• Understanding of make/buy approaches and inputs as well as supplier risk assessment and mitigation planning,

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.