Senior Supply Chain Manager in Abingdon

Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space is a trusted mission partner to the global space industry. A robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 55-year+ story of world firsts and more than 450 missions, MDA Space is a global leader in communications satellites, Earth and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure.

The global MDA Space team of more than 3,800 space experts has the knowledge and know-how to turn an audacious customer vision into an achievable mission – bringing to bear a one-of-a-kind mix of experience, engineering excellence and wide-eyed wonder that’s been in our DNA since day one. For those who dream big and push boundaries on the ground and in the stars to change the world for the better, we’ll take you there.

MDA Space’s international footprint in the UK creates opportunities to work with some of the most exciting space industrial players in the country. Delivering all three business area capabilities in Geointelligence, Robotics & Space Operations, and Satellite Systems, our UK team provides support to our European-based customers while specializing in the development of advanced space sensors for exploration missions as well as space-based communication technology.

As our presence grows overseas, so does our need for new ambitious team players to help us advance our place in the Universe and beyond. We're on the hunt for a Supply Chain & Procurement Manager.

Role Purpose

The Supply Chain & Procurement Manager will be responsible for leading and developing the MDA Space UK supply chain and procurement function, ensuring that the business has a robust, resilient, commercially effective and scalable supply chain capable of supporting current programmes and future growth. Reporting directly to the Operations Director, the role combines operational leadership, strategic supply chain development and transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and own the MDA Space UK Supply Chain Strategy, establishing a clear three-to-five-year roadmap that supports the company's growth plans, programme requirements and future operational capability.
• Develop the future supply chain operating model, assessing the current organisation, capabilities, processes, systems and resources and defining the structure and capability required to support the future growth of MDA Space UK.
• Translate business and programme requirements into supply chain strategy, ensuring that future demand, programme schedules, capacity requirements and technology requirements are reflected in supply chain planning.
• Provide strategic supply chain advice to the Operations Director and UK leadership team, identifying risks, opportunities, investment requirements and areas requiring management intervention.
• Lead and manage the UK Procurement and Buying function, providing clear direction, objectives, performance management and development for the Buyers reporting into the role.
• Develop and implement sourcing strategies, ensuring that key categories and areas of expenditure have appropriate sourcing, negotiation and supplier-management strategies.
• Develop a strategic supplier management framework, establishing appropriate segmentation of suppliers according to spend, criticality, risk, capability and strategic importance.
• Ensure that suppliers are measured against agreed cost, quality, delivery, responsiveness and risk objectives.
• Develop supplier resilience and continuity strategies, identifying single-source dependencies, capacity constraints, long-lead items and other supply risks and establishing appropriate mitigation plans.
• Develop the UK supplier network, identifying opportunities for new suppliers, alternative sources, dual sourcing and supplier development where required.
• Review and improve the existing supply chain processes, identifying inefficiencies, duplication, manual activity and areas where stronger governance or automation can improve performance.
• Drive improvements in ERP utilisation, ensuring that supply chain data, purchasing information, planning information and supplier information are accurate, timely and effectively used.
• Improve inventory management and control, ensuring that inventory levels are appropriate to programme requirements while minimising excess, obsolete and unnecessary stock.
• Working with Finance, Operations and ERP owners to ensure that system information accurately reflects the physical supply chain.
• Develop and deliver procurement cost-reduction and value-generation initiatives, identifying opportunities to reduce cost while protecting quality, delivery and programme performance.
• Support business bids and new programme opportunities, providing supplier strategy, sourcing information, cost estimates, capacity assessments and supply chain risk assessments.
• Develop and maintain a supply chain risk register, identifying critical supplier, capacity, financial, geopolitical, commercial and operational risks.
• Ensure procurement and supply chain activities comply with MDA Space UK policies and applicable legislation, including relevant aerospace, defence, space and export-control requirements.
• Work closely with Quality to ensure supplier compliance and capability, including supplier qualification, audits, corrective actions and performance improvement.
• Act as the Senior Supply Chain and Procurement representative for MDA Space UK, working as a strategic partner to Operations, Engineering, Programmes, Quality and Finance.
• Building strong cross-functional relationships, ensuring that supply chain considerations are incorporated into programme and operational decision-making at an early stage.
• Work collaboratively with MDA Space Canada and other MDA Space locations, identifying opportunities for global sourcing, supplier leverage, standardisation and sharing of best practice.

Key Deliverables

Within the first twelve months, the postholder will be expected to establish a clear baseline of current supply chain performance and capability, identify the principal supplier and operational risks, establish appropriate Supply Chain KPIs, implement a structured supplier segmentation and performance-management process, and develop the MDA Space UK three-to-five-year Supply Chain Strategy. The postholder will also develop the Supply Chain Transformation Roadmap, identifying the future operating model, organisational capability, systems, processes, supplier strategy and investment required to support the growth of MDA Space UK. The role will be expected to deliver measurable improvements in supplier performance, procurement effectiveness, supply chain visibility, inventory management, risk management and commercial performance.

Experience and Qualifications

The successful candidate will have significant experience in Supply Chain, Procurement or Strategic Sourcing within a complex engineering, manufacturing, aerospace, defence, space or technology environment. They will have proven experience managing and developing procurement or supply chain teams and will be comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels. They will have strong experience in strategic sourcing, supplier management, commercial negotiation, supplier performance, supply chain risk and inventory management. They will have demonstrable experience of developing and implementing supply chain strategies, process improvements or transformation programmes. Experience of ERP/MRP systems, supply chain data, KPI development and performance reporting is required. Experience within aerospace, defence or space would be advantageous, together with knowledge of AS9100 and the requirements of highly regulated engineering environments. A recognised procurement or supply chain qualification such as CIPS, MCIPS, CIPS Level 6 or an equivalent professional qualification would be advantageous.

Personal Profile

The successful candidate will be commercially astute, analytical and comfortable challenging existing ways of working. They will be a strong people leader who can develop the existing team while introducing greater accountability, structure and performance. They will be able to move comfortably between strategic discussions with senior leadership and detailed operational supply chain issues. They will be an effective communicator and stakeholder manager who can influence across functions and work effectively within an international organisation. Most importantly, they will be a change leader who can establish a clear vision for the future supply chain and translate that vision into a practical, measurable and deliverable transformation programme.

We’re a dream team of purpose-driven, collaborative and passionate people, and we are constantly looking for others to join #TeamMDA to ignite new and innovative approaches to problem-solving that push us forward to improve life on and above Earth. If you’re excited to expand our place in space and driven to inspire the next generation, we’ll take you there.

MDA Space is an equal opportunity employer prizing diversity and inclusion. We are committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity. If you require assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please feel free to notify us.