As a Supply Chain Director at Kepler Communications, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing our supply chain strategy to support ground-breaking space communications technology. This position offers the opportunity to lead a dedicated team and work cross-functionally with engineering, legal, finance, and project management to drive the success of our products, services, and partnerships.
In this role you’ll apply your expertise in procurement, supplier management, and international logistics to optimize performance across the supply chain, ensuring that Kepler remains agile, efficient, and aligned with both corporate goals and industry standards.
Your role will primarily involve coaching and leading a dynamic team, providing strategic functional direction, while also contributing your technical expertise and supporting administrative tasks as needed. We value a collaborative approach where every team member's contributions are recognized and essential to our success.
Responsibilities:- Develop and execute supply chain strategies and processes that align with Kepler’s mission, supporting both short-term and long-term objectives and programs
- Be a working coach to develop and mentor team members while continuing to provide your own technical contributions
- Provide leadership, coaching and mentoring during weekly 1:1’s, conduct semi-annual performance reviews and inspire supply chain team to achieve mission success
- Demonstrate flexibility in adapting supply chain processes to meet the evolving needs of the business and market conditions
- Exercise independent authority in planning, scheduling, organizing, controlling and monitoring supply chain activities in connection with procurement of highly complex, developmental and specialized goods and services
- Perform supply chain risk assessments, undertake due diligence tasks, closely manage strategic suppliers, champion the down selection and provide procurement expert knowledge
- Identify and implement continuous improvements to supply chain related systems and processes
- Support Kepler’s sustainability goals by identifying opportunities to integrate eco-friendly practices within the supply chain
- Manages supplier performance by being responsible for sourcing, RFP preparation, proposal evaluation, negotiation, award, execution, administration and closeout phases and providing annual supplier scorecards to improve performance of key suppliers
Requirements:- Proven experience in leading and developing cross-functional teams, with the ability to drive collaboration, optimize processes, and foster a culture of continuous improvement across the supply chain
- Excellent interpersonal and communications (oral & written) skills
- Bachelor’s or higher-level university degree in a relevant discipline such as Commerce, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management or Engineering
- Minimum of 8+ years’ experience working in supply chain or procurement at a high level, ideally in complex technology-based environment with long-term programs with multiple supplier contracts
- Ability to think critically, solve problems and resolve issues in a fast paced environment
- Detail oriented, highly motivated and results-focused
- Experience with Supply Chain Management in a manufacturing company that produces highly engineered mechanical and electronic components, such as an aerospace or medical device supplier, that manages to AS9100 requirements
- Experience with Export Compliance and International Logistics
Bonus Points:- Strong knowledge of purchasing ethics, practices, and policies
- Bilingual in English and French an asset (but not required)
- A professional designation in Procurement (e.g., CSCMP) is desirable but not mandatory
- Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) experience and usage
