At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and build a resilient global supply chain for cutting-edge defence technology.
- Company: UFORCE, a pioneering defence-technology company with a mission to make aggression unaffordable.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunities for travel, and the chance to shape a vital industry.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to advancing autonomy and adaptability in combat.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence technology while leading innovative supply chain strategies.
- Qualifications: Experience in global sourcing and supply chain management across multiple countries.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
UFORCE exists to make aggression unaffordable. Founded in Ukraine and headquartered in London, UFORCE is a defence-technology company with operations across Europe, the United States and Asia. UFORCE builds uncrewed vessels, ground robotics and aircraft, autonomy software, and the command-and-control layer that operates them together. Each platform is deployable on its own, and stronger as part of the system. Its product lines include the MAGURA family of uncrewed surface vessels, the NEMESIS family of strike platforms, the LIUT family of ground robotic platforms, and counter-UAS systems.
UFORCE is looking for a VP Global Supply Chain to build and lead a resilient, compliant supply-chain function across the US, UK and Europe. You’ll connect global sourcing strategy with the realities of production: qualified suppliers, reliable material plans and the right parts arriving when they’re needed. This is a strategic leadership role with hands-on ownership. You’ll set global sourcing direction, build the team and establish shared standards across sites. You’ll also work directly with engineering, production and suppliers to resolve shortages and keep programmes moving. A key part of the role is establishing the US supply chain and connecting it to global planning. Your work will make supply risks visible earlier, strengthen supplier performance and help UFORCE scale without every site having to solve the same problems alone.
What you’ll do:
- Build category and supplier strategies that balance cost, quality, lead time and resilience across countries and programmes.
- Establish the US supply chain: qualify suppliers, put sourcing and logistics arrangements in place, and build material plans aligned with programme and production milestones.
- Create a cross-site view of material readiness, critical shortages and recovery plans, with clear owners and timely escalation.
- Identify single-source, long-lead and capacity constraints, and put dual-sourcing, buffer-stock or supplier-development plans in place where needed.
- Lead commercial negotiations, introduce supplier scorecards and hold partners accountable for delivery, quality and corrective actions.
- Establish consistent supplier qualification, traceability and counterfeit-part avoidance controls, working with Quality, Legal and Export Compliance on applicable requirements and specialist decisions.
- Connect demand, bills of materials, supplier lead times and production schedules through a practical sales and operations planning rhythm, supported by shared enterprise resource planning standards and reliable data.
- Define the global team structure, hire and develop people, and establish clear responsibilities and ways of working with site supply-chain leads.
- Use agreed baselines and targets to improve supplier delivery, material availability, lead times, inventory performance and landed cost.
Required Skills:
- Experience leading sourcing and supply-chain activity across multiple countries or manufacturing sites, with measurable delivery, cost or resilience improvements.
- A strong understanding of complex hardware manufacturing and the connection between engineering changes, material availability and build schedules.
- A track record of identifying supplier risk and implementing practical mitigations that protected production.
- Experience translating demand and production priorities into credible material plans, including sales and operations planning or an equivalent cross-functional process.
- Strong commercial judgement and negotiation skills, with the ability to resolve supplier quality, delivery or capacity issues while maintaining long-term relationships.
- Experience building or significantly improving a supply-chain function in a growing organisation, rather than only operating an established system.
- Experience building, developing and leading teams across locations, setting shared standards and delivering through site stakeholders.
- Working knowledge of supplier assurance, traceability and applicable export controls, including UK and EU military and dual-use requirements and ITAR/EAR awareness.
- A hands-on approach, clear prioritisation and the judgement to act quickly when production is at risk.
- Willingness to travel regularly across the US, UK and Europe.
- Eligible for Security Clearance.
Nice to have:
- Defence, aerospace, maritime, automotive, robotics or other complex hardware supply-chain experience.
- Experience establishing a US supplier base or supply-chain operation and integrating it with UK or European operations.
- Experience with Ukrainian or Eastern European suppliers and cross-border logistics.
- Experience implementing or harmonising enterprise resource planning systems across sites.
- CIPS, APICS/ASCM or an equivalent professional qualification.
The nature of combat has changed. Tomorrow’s battlefield success depends on autonomy, speed, and adaptability. And UFORCE is ready. Are You?
VP Global Supply Chain employer: UFORCE
UFORCE is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the defence technology sector. Employees benefit from comprehensive growth opportunities, hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI/ML tools, and the chance to contribute to impactful projects that enhance battlefield capabilities. Located in a vibrant area, UFORCE provides a supportive environment where your contributions are valued and recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP Global Supply Chain
✨Join Supply Chain Meetups
Get yourself out there by attending supply chain meetups and industry events. It's a great way to meet fellow professionals, learn about trends, and maybe even hear about job openings before they’re posted online.
✨Show Off Your Skills on LinkedIn
Don’t just sit back and wait for opportunities! Post insights or articles on LinkedIn about supply chain challenges or solutions you’re passionate about. This not only showcases your expertise but can catch the eye of recruiters looking for someone like you.
✨Engage with Supply Chain Communities
Dive into online communities related to supply chain operations like forums or groups on Reddit and LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions can help you network, get advice, and you might even stumble upon some hidden job opportunities.
✨Apply through Our Website
When you spot a position at UFORCE, make sure to apply through our website directly. It's often the quickest way to get your application in front of the right people and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role of VP Global Supply Chain.
We think you need these skills to ace VP Global Supply Chain
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in supply chain operations. Whether it’s managing logistics or coordinating with suppliers, we want to see examples of how you've navigated the complexities of the supply chain. Concrete achievements, like reducing costs or improving delivery times, will definitely catch our eye!
Quantify Your Impact:When listing your previous roles on your CV, go for numbers! Mention percentages or actual figures where possible—like how much you've improved efficiency or reduced waste. It's all about showing us the tangible impact you've made in your past positions in supply chain operations.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don’t just regurgitate your CV. Instead, connect your experiences specifically to the role at UFORCE. Share why you're passionate about supply chain operations and how this full-time role aligns with your career goals—I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear that!
Research and Reflect:Before you apply, take some time to research UFORCE and its supply chain operations. Reflect on how your skills and experiences can fit into their operations. Being able to discuss their challenges and how you can contribute to solving them in your application will really make you stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at UFORCE
✨Know Your Basics in Supply Chain Management
Make sure you've got a solid grasp of key supply chain concepts like demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics. We could be quizzed on these during technical rounds, so brush up on any software tools commonly used in the industry like SAP or Oracle. This knowledge will help us show we can hit the ground running!
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss real-world scenarios where you've used data analysis to solve supply chain challenges. If you've got experience with tools like Excel or Tableau, get ready to talk about how you've used these to optimise processes or improve efficiencies. Employers love seeing that we can turn data into actionable insights!
✨Highlight Your Teamwork and Project Management Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Think of examples where you've worked on cross-functional teams or managed projects. Sharing how you navigated challenges while working with diverse groups will show that we can thrive in a dynamic environment like at UFORCE.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by UFORCE
Look into any unique supply chain challenges UFORCE might be facing, whether it's sustainability, supplier relationships, or global disruptions. Being prepared to discuss these topics shows that we're not only informed but also genuinely interested in how we can contribute to their success. That’s a big plus in any interview!