Tactical Buyer

Tactical Buyer | Space & High-Technology Procurement

📍 Tres Cantos, Madrid 

At Morgan Philips, we are partnering with our client Thales Alenia Space, a global leader in the space industry, to recruit a Tactical Buyer.

This is an excellent opportunity for a procurement professional to manage the complete operational purchasing cycle within a complex, international and highly regulated environment.

The successful candidate will act as the main point of contact between Thales Alenia Space and its suppliers, taking end-to-end ownership of purchase orders and ensuring delivery, cost, quality and contractual commitments are achieved.

The Opportunity

As Tactical Buyer, you will convert procurement requirements into purchase orders, manage local requests for proposals and negotiations, and monitor supplier performance throughout the order lifecycle.

Working closely with Category Buyers, Supplier Performance Management, Finance, Operations and internal stakeholders, you will ensure purchasing activities are aligned with procurement strategies, contractual conditions and business priorities.

The role combines operational execution, supplier management and commercial negotiation, with direct responsibility for maintaining accurate information in the ERP and resolving delivery, invoicing or compliance issues.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage purchase orders from purchase request through delivery, invoicing and closure.
• Analyse demand and ensure alignment with category strategies, framework agreements and approved suppliers.
• Run local RFPs and negotiate pricing, delivery schedules and commercial conditions.
• Monitor supplier deliveries, expedite delays and resolve operational issues proactively.
• Track supplier performance and contribute to recurring operational KPI reviews.
• Ensure compliance with contractual, legal, export control, environmental and internal procurement requirements.
• Resolve invoicing discrepancies, non-conformities and order confirmation issues.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date procurement data in the ERP.
• Identify purchasing synergies and support cost, cash and competitiveness objectives.

Your Background

• Degree or professional training in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience in tactical buying, operational procurement, order management or supplier management.
• Confidence managing RFPs, supplier quotations and commercial negotiations.
• Knowledge of contracts, purchasing terms and conditions, payment terms and Incoterms.
• Experience using procurement ERP systems, particularly materials management modules.
• Strong command of Microsoft Office and supplier performance KPIs.
• Knowledge of aerospace, defence, industrial or highly regulated environments would be valuable.
• Familiarity with export control, REACH or aerospace quality requirements would be an advantage.
• Native or fluent Spanish and professional English are essential. French would be a plus.

What Will Make You Successful

• Strong organisation and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proactive approach to supplier delays, risks and operational issues.
• Commercial confidence to challenge and negotiate with suppliers.
• Accuracy and discipline when managing orders and ERP data.
• Ability to influence stakeholders outside the procurement function.
• Collaborative and solution-oriented mindset.
• Adaptability within an international and changing environment.
• Strong commitment to ethics, compliance and accountability.

Why Join Thales Alenia Space?

Thales Alenia Space is a joint venture between Thales and Leonardo, delivering advanced space solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructure.

Joining the company means contributing to international space programmes where supplier performance, procurement discipline and operational excellence are essential to successful delivery.

The successful candidate will benefit from:

• End-to-end responsibility within a global procurement organisation.
• Exposure to specialised suppliers and advanced space technologies.
• Collaboration with international teams and procurement stakeholders.
• A flexible and smart working environment.
• Competitive compensation and benefits.
• Individual learning and development opportunities.
• An innovative and multicultural working environment.
• Long-term career development within the global space industry.

At Thales Alenia Space, space is more than a destination. It is an opportunity to connect, protect, explore and help build a more sustainable future on Earth.

If you are ready to take ownership of the purchasing cycle and build strong supplier relationships in one of the world’s most advanced industries, we would like to hear from you.

Great journeys start here. Apply now.

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