Industrial Manager - Transfer of Production

Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

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Thales has been present in the Republic of Indonesia for 45 years in the defence, aerospace and space domains, delivering a wide range of civil and defence solutions that highlight our strong commitment to working with the Indonesian government and local stakeholders. In recent years, our innovative solutions in air traffic management systems and telecom satellites have further strengthened our presence in the country alongside our digital portfolio of solutions such as biometrics, data protection and cybersecurity now serving the needs of diverse customers in civil sectors.

PT Thales Indonesia, working in close partnership with Thales Europe Group IAS UK (Industrial Cooperation & Offset group), has an opportunity for a TOP Industrial Manager to join the in-country team supporting the Weapon Systems programme for Air Defence and Surface Attack capabilities. (Role based in Indonesia)

You will be responsible for assisting the Thales Europe Group IAS UK team in the transfer of production, maintenance and associated technology and knowledge for specific Work Packages within the Indonesian defence programme. In addition, you will work with the regional company to develop and manage the KIP (Key Industrial Partners) development action plan. These programmes are critical to business winning and project delivery in country.

You will be working within the Thales Europe Group IAS UK Industrial Cooperation and Offset group to advance the Industrial needs of these critical programmes within Indonesia by supporting the development of and delivery of local solutions through KIP within supply chain technology transfer Work Packages.

The industrial capability and maturity of the defence industry within Indonesia is developing, and you will be responsible for working with local industrial partners (KIP) to mature both their product-specific capability and the wider maturity of their industrial organisation.

This will include optimising local supply chain knowledge and maximising product manufacturability by applying and promoting effective co-operation and co-manufacture with industrial partners on behalf of Thales Europe Group.

To help implement these core objectives, Thales is setting up in-country and looking for a candidate with the following:

• Under the direction of Thales IAS UK - Assist them in the local industrialization of Indonesian KIP and their supply chains that will ultimately support full-rate production, service entry and ongoing after-sales support in country.
• Be part of the Thales Europe Group IAS UK ICO team as they deliver key industrial plans of the region – including test specifications for in-country manufacturing scenarios where Thales retains design authority & holds important Intellectual Property (IP) on the product(s).
• Work with a strong collaborative approach within the Thales Europe Group team as they look to implement change proposals and solution development in the region alongside KIP.
• Be part of the Thales IAS UK a team driving KIP capability development through local industrialization, product and supplier qualification, and product launch.
• Help understand KIP capabilities and contribute to improvement actions that strengthen procurement strategies in the region, including obsolescence management. Then working with Thales Indonesia and Thales Europe Group IAS UK to deliver these plans.
• This role requires strong key stakeholder management. Team-orientated thinking and a degree of hands-on execution. Focus on cross-functional collaboration to enable the successful localization and transfer of critical technologies.
• Represent When requested and working under the clear direction of Thales IAS UK Europe Group represent them at customer meetings and complete general programme management tasks in-country.
• Act as part of the Thales IAS ICO Team to provide the primary in-country liaison between PT Thales Indonesia, the local Key Industrial Partner (KIP), and the Thales Europe Group IAS UK  Technology Transfer Project Manager, ensuring all Work Packages are delivered on time, to quality, and in compliance with contractual requirements.

Key responsibilities and tasks:

Project Coordination & Industrial Liaison

• Serve as the primary in-country interface between PT Thales Indonesia, the local Key Industrial Partner (KIP), and the Thales Europe Group Project IAS UK Technology Transfer  Manager for all TOP-related activities.
• Facilitate clear and consistent communication across stakeholders, including weekly written updates and bi-weekly formal progress reports to the Thales Europe Group Project IAS UK Technology Transfer Manager.
• Organise and chair coordination meetings, technical reviews, and stakeholder briefings with local industrial partners and end users.
• When requested by Thales IAS UK Rrepresent Thales Europe Group them at customer meetings and complete general programme management tasks in-country.

On-Site Oversight & Production Monitoring

• Spend three days a week in the KIP site, to assist with production preparations.
• When requested by Thales IAS UK conduct Conduct regular (minimum weekly) visits to KIP production facilities and end-user defence sites to monitor progress, address issues promptly and facilitate problem-solving.
• Monitor progress across all relevant Transfer of Production Work Packages and verify that production activities meet Thales Group drawing standards, quality requirements, and offset compliance criteria.
• Optimise local supply chain knowledge and maximise product manufacturability by applying and promoting effective co-operation and co-manufacture with industrial partners.

Risk & Issue Management

• Working with the Technology Transfer Manager, pProactively identify, assess, and manage programme risks and issues in-country.
• Escalate unresolved risks and blockers to the Thales Europe Group Project  IAS UK Technology Transfer Manager in a timely manner.
• Maintain a live risk register and action tracker for all Work Packages.

Industrial Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Take part in the Monitor / Reporting & control of KIP performance (after entry into production) in conjunction with Thales Europe Group  IAS UK ICO Manager. (close co-operation with PT Thales Indonesia).
• Contribute to the identification and qualification of the greater local supply chain (Industrial partner audit & qualification) for Thales Europe Group IAS UK .
• Manage and report on supplier performance in accordance with Thales Group requirements, including ERP-based tracking and quality control monitoring.
• Provide bi-weekly progress reports to the Thales IAS UK ICO Management team.

Acceptance, Demonstration & Training Support

• Support local demonstrations, factory acceptance tests (FAT), and end-user acceptance events.
• Assist in the organization and delivery of technical training provided to local partner personnel.
• Ensure all acceptance documentation is completed accurately and submitted on time.
• Be part of the Thales Europe Group IAS UK team as they deliver key industrial plans of region, including test specifications for in-country manufacturing scenarios where Thales retains design authority and holds important Intellectual Property (IP) on the product(s).

Transfer of Production Compliance

• Monitor and track TOP progress across all applicable Work Packages.
• Ensure evidence of technology/knowledge transfer is documented and reported in accordance with offset programme requirements.
• Act as the locally based team member of Thales Europe Group IAS UK for bid and project execution activities in Indonesia.

Skills & Knowledge Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Aerospace, Defence Studies, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical or Test Engineering, or a related discipline (B.E. / B.Tech preferred).
• Mandatory knowledge of business and manufacturing systems (ERP, TQM, Quality Control, etc.).
• Hands-on experience in production safety, product test and process engineering protocols.
• Understand the requirement for management of supplier performance reporting.
• Good knowledge of project management processes, tools, planning & tool set.
• Experience in industrial transfers and setting up of industrial capability preferred.
• Strong understanding of Transfer of Technology (ToT) / Transfer of Production (TOP) programme requirements and offset obligations.
• Demonstrated high level of examples of working within a team where efficiency and direction is required.
• Demonstrated history of willingness to interact with key stakeholders of different cultural, religious and race beliefs.
• Ready to travel within Indonesia and overseas for training.
• Ability to speak English is essential based on nature of the work; ability to also speak Indonesian preferred.
• Minimum 8 to 12 years of experience in industrial management, production coordination, or related defence roles.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with deadlines and without supervision.
• Analytical and problem solving skills; Logical thinking.
• Adaptability and learning skills.
• Negotiation and networking skills.
• Cost conscious and frugal thinking.
• Ability to work in complex matrix organizations.
• Multi-cultural awareness.
• Based in Jabotabek, Indonesia.

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.