Supply Chain Manager
Forres, Scotland, United Kingdom
Full Time
Manager/Supervisor
Orbex are looking for an experienced individual to lead our Manufacturing Engineering & Supply Chain activities in Scotland and Denmark.
You will be responsible for leading and planning the overall supply chain process, working with the suppliers, and owning the product management. You will be an integral part of our manufacturing function, working alongside our purchasing and quality teams, and reporting at a C-Suit level.
As Europe's leading private launch services provider, Orbex is an innovative, fast-paced, and ambitious company. The successful candidate will work closely with the rest of the senior leadership team and other key stakeholders to develop and build our capability.
Orbex
Orbex is a leading micro-launch company with our Prime vehicle being prepared to launch from our home spaceport, Space Hub Sutherland. We are well placed to be one of the first operational micro-launch companies in Europe with over €85m of project financing secured, a number of customers signed up, our launch licence application submitted, and backing from organisations including UKSA and ESA.
We are a rapidly growing company with staff located between our production and test facilities in Forres, Scotland and Copenhagen, Denmark. Working on cutting-edge advances in rocket fuel technology, Prime’s carbon footprint is up to 96% lower than comparable vehicles, leading to innovations in propulsion and tank structures. A state-of-the-art re-flight system means we can recover and reuse our technology, and innovations in separation mechanisms mean we leave no debris in space.
Having developed in-house production capability, we can 3D print complex engines, produce full-scale carbon composite fuel tanks, and have avionics and software testing labs in both Scotland and Denmark. Based in Forres, you will be right in the heart of this fast-paced cutting-edge company, gaining a unique insight into what it takes to build a new launch vehicle for a buoyant commercial market.
The Position
The position includes the following tasks and responsibilities:
Key Qualifications and Experience
Orbex is a high-paced, startup culture where you will be encouraged to take assume responsibility for tasks and see them through.
It is imperative that you take initiative, communicate openly, and can collaborate with technical and non-technical team members.
You must be able to thrive in an international, diverse, and multicultural environment.
Location
This role is based in Forres at Orbex’s headquarters.
Orbex Forres is located at the foot of the Scottish Highlands, near Inverness. It's close to the spectacular coastline, wild beaches, and amazing wildlife of the Moray Firth, as well as being a short distance from the world-famous Loch Ness, and Aviemore ski resort.
If you enjoy adventurous outdoor pursuits in extraordinary natural environments, the coast, and highlands around Forres offer an ideal location.
Mountaineering, rock climbing, abseiling, hiking, mountain biking, cycling, camping, sailing, surfing, motorbiking, and skiing are all within easy reach of our main UK factory, and many members of our team participate in adventure sports in the vast, beautiful settings of Sutherland.
If you enjoy drone flying, wildlife or landscape photography, some of the most spectacular vistas in the world are directly at your doorstep.
Security
You must be a UK or European citizen or from a country that is a signatory to the MTCR convention. You will be required to obtain CTC clearance for the role.
Benefits
For the right candidate, we offer an excellent benefits package that includes:
You will be responsible for leading and planning the overall supply chain process, working with the suppliers, and owning the product management. You will be an integral part of our manufacturing function, working alongside our purchasing and quality teams, and reporting at a C-Suit level.
As Europe's leading private launch services provider, Orbex is an innovative, fast-paced, and ambitious company. The successful candidate will work closely with the rest of the senior leadership team and other key stakeholders to develop and build our capability.
Orbex
Orbex is a leading micro-launch company with our Prime vehicle being prepared to launch from our home spaceport, Space Hub Sutherland. We are well placed to be one of the first operational micro-launch companies in Europe with over €85m of project financing secured, a number of customers signed up, our launch licence application submitted, and backing from organisations including UKSA and ESA.
We are a rapidly growing company with staff located between our production and test facilities in Forres, Scotland and Copenhagen, Denmark. Working on cutting-edge advances in rocket fuel technology, Prime’s carbon footprint is up to 96% lower than comparable vehicles, leading to innovations in propulsion and tank structures. A state-of-the-art re-flight system means we can recover and reuse our technology, and innovations in separation mechanisms mean we leave no debris in space.
Having developed in-house production capability, we can 3D print complex engines, produce full-scale carbon composite fuel tanks, and have avionics and software testing labs in both Scotland and Denmark. Based in Forres, you will be right in the heart of this fast-paced cutting-edge company, gaining a unique insight into what it takes to build a new launch vehicle for a buoyant commercial market.
The Position
The position includes the following tasks and responsibilities:
- Develop the Orbex sourcing strategy for our sites and products in the UK and Denmark
- Monitor the supplier market and create a comprehensive supplier database, considering strategic, export, financial, quality, and programmatic boundary conditions
- Investigate identified suppliers and initiate business partnership relationships
- Establish a process for new suppliers to be included in the database
- Evaluate and test existing contracts and initiate improvement programs and lessons learned
- Negotiate with external vendors to secure favourable terms
- Organise and lead strategic make/buy decisions within the company
- Track and report key functional metrics on procurement activities, purchase requests, and order processing
- Monitor and report key functional metrics to reduce expenses and enhance overall procurement effectiveness
- Collaborate with key individuals to ensure clarity of the specifications and expectations of the company versus external suppliers
- Anticipate unfavourable events through data analysis and prepare control strategies
- Manage risks associated with supply contracts and agreements
- Control expenses and foster a culture of long-term cost savings in procurement
- Monitor supplier performance using key metrics and develop and lead a supplier performance improvement program
- Monitor supplier purchase requisition delivery dates and their evolutions as part of daily work
Key Qualifications and Experience
- Demonstrated working experience as a Procurement Manager, Procurement Officer, or Head of Procurement
- Technical knowledge gained from the space, aerospace, or a related industry
- Familiarity with sourcing and procurement techniques, as well as the ability to assess market conditions
- Proficiency in the use of supplier or third-party management software
- Experience in data-led decision-making and working with numbers
- Recognised qualifications in Aerospace, Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, or Logistics would be advantageous
- Understanding and experience of working within export control restrictions, ideally in an avionics, defence, or production environment
- Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organisation
Orbex is a high-paced, startup culture where you will be encouraged to take assume responsibility for tasks and see them through.
It is imperative that you take initiative, communicate openly, and can collaborate with technical and non-technical team members.
You must be able to thrive in an international, diverse, and multicultural environment.
Location
This role is based in Forres at Orbex’s headquarters.
Orbex Forres is located at the foot of the Scottish Highlands, near Inverness. It's close to the spectacular coastline, wild beaches, and amazing wildlife of the Moray Firth, as well as being a short distance from the world-famous Loch Ness, and Aviemore ski resort.
If you enjoy adventurous outdoor pursuits in extraordinary natural environments, the coast, and highlands around Forres offer an ideal location.
Mountaineering, rock climbing, abseiling, hiking, mountain biking, cycling, camping, sailing, surfing, motorbiking, and skiing are all within easy reach of our main UK factory, and many members of our team participate in adventure sports in the vast, beautiful settings of Sutherland.
If you enjoy drone flying, wildlife or landscape photography, some of the most spectacular vistas in the world are directly at your doorstep.
Security
You must be a UK or European citizen or from a country that is a signatory to the MTCR convention. You will be required to obtain CTC clearance for the role.
Benefits
For the right candidate, we offer an excellent benefits package that includes:
- Competitive salary
- An equity stake in the company so you will really benefit from your hard work as the company grows and is successful.
- Our roles need to be on-site in Scotland due to the nature of the position, export controls and security, but we are happy to sponsor visas for you and your family and provide relocation assistance as required.
- Company Cycle to Work scheme
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