Program Demand Specialist

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.

Program Demand Specialist

Irvine, CA or Melbourne, FL (onsite)

Position Summary

Thales is looking for a Program Demand Specialist who is responsible for moderate to complex program management activities and coordinates the development and execution of various project tasks that support commitments involving airline customers & aircraft manufactures. The Program Demand Specialist shall be familiar with various WBS, PBS, and BOM structuring methodologies and how they impact MRP scheduling systems; and is able to perform the “Essential Duties and Responsibilities” listed below autonomously.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Functions as the single Point of Contact for their respective customer programs & associated work stream. Develops and maintains the customer project’s revenue/billing plan, COGS forecast, and project’s ship-set delivery information.
• Develops and maintains the project’s Program file/portfolio and manages it throughout the project’s duration. Coordinates and monitors the release of drawings and technical documentation, and the timely sourcing and costing of materials necessary to meet project deliverables. Coordinates and monitors project deliverable activities to ensure completion per contractual commitments. Responsible for the timely entry and the accuracy of the hardware demand in to the Thales ERP system (SAP).
• Monitor and resolve rescheduling errors and inconsistencies. Leads IPT meetings to coordinate with Stakeholders on the status of project deliverables and assists with mitigating risks and resolving issues that arise. 
• Ensures that all project deliverables are driving requirements correctly on a consistent and on-going basis. Responsible for coordinating the timely receipt and entry of Customer Purchase Orders (PO’s) to meet planned Customer On-Dock Dates (CODD’s) including the timely resolution of any PO discrepancies.
• Recommends, implements, and monitors data collection & validation best practices to ensure data integrity & continuity. Supports leadership with risk assessments and mitigation activities.
• Proposes and implements solutions to improve demand forecast accuracy based on industry trends and demand patterns. Drives process/procedural automation to create synergies and improved operational efficiencies. Supports various process improvement & Tiger Team initiatives as well as provides audit support.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 - 8 years of prior relevant experience or an Advanced degree with 3 – 5 years of prior relevant experience. Understand the mechanics of a global supply chain and the correlations between demand, inventory, procurement activities and cash flow. Experience with ERP systems (SAP preferred).
• Read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, proposals, contracts, technical specifications, drawings, procedures, quality and regulatory requirements, and financial reports. Analyze financial variances between actual billings, forecast revenue and target EAC (Estimated at completions) and make adjustments accordingly without direction from PM.
• Understand how to account for COGS and process commercial rebates, discounts & credits to ensure alignment with project P&L. Understand scope, schedule & risk management and support Program Managers in the preparation of program and financial reviews with upper management. Skills: Project management: Solid capability of project management with proven ability and skills to track and report project performance on scope, technical details, schedules, and financials. Ability to develop project plan, quality control goals as well as lessons learning opportunities. Communication skills.
• Demonstrates effective consulting, negotiating, influencing and persuasive skills to diverse audiences. Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and written, with all levels within the organization. Executive-level presentation skills. Problem solving skills.
• Possess a combination of characteristics, including strong strategic, critical and problem-solving thinking; strong detail- and results-orientation; and decisiveness. Analytical, able to simplify complex problems, develop and drive resolution to implementation and deliver results. Ability to think "outside the box" and leverage data responsibilities to help drive performance improvements. Problem resolution ability with a high degree of motivation, thoroughness, integrity, and reliability. High proficiency of Microsoft Office to include PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook, SharePoint, MS Teams, etc. Visio, MS Project/Primavera (is a plus).
• People skills: High degree of personal accountability and be able to manage self emotionally and professionally, as well as able to hold other people accountable. Possess demonstrated leadership and collaboration with functional teams to deliver results. Constructive confrontation and issue resolution capability. Resilience: Proven self-starter, with a positive “can do” attitude and a high learning capacity. Capable to challenge the status quo and asking common sense questions. Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks while dealing with disruptions and change in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment; someone who sees ‘ambiguity’ as an opportunity rather than a hurdle. Agility, able to quickly adapt in a complex, multi-national, multi-cultural environment.

Special Position Requirements

• Project Management (PMP) certification.
• APICS CPIM certification.
• Six Sigma Green or Black Belt or equivalent Lean problem solving skills preferred.
• Strong Aviation background and experience particularly in the field of In-Flyt Experience and/or Aviation connectivity.

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

What We Offer

CA: The anticipated TTC range for this role is $80,883.00 – 134,805.00 USD 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 applicant’s status protected by local, state, or federal law. 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 applicant’s status protected by local, state, or federal law.

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 and Dental plans. 
• Retirement Savings Plan with a company contribution and a match, and without vesting period. 
• Company paid holidays, vacation days, and paid sick leave. 
• Company provided Life Insurance.

Why Join Us?

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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.

Thales champions inclusion and we believe diversity strengthens the fabric of our culture. Thales is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.

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

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