Supply Chain Operations Manager
€4,500 - €6,000 per month
Key Skills
Job Description
About this job S[&]T is expanding into the development and commercialisation of high-tech hardware products. As we move from product development towards production and scale-up, we are looking for someone who can help us build the operational foundation to make this possible. As our Supply Chain & Operations Manager, you will have a unique opportunity to build and professionalise the supply chain and operations organisation from the ground up. You will connect Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, Logistics, Testing and Finance, making sure our products can be sourced, built, tested and delivered reliably as we grow. This is not a role where you simply manage an established supply chain. We are looking for a hands-on builder who enjoys creating processes, establishing supplier partnerships, solving operational challenges and turning new products into scalable production. What will you do? As our Supply Chain & Operations Manager, you will take end-to-end ownership of the operational side of our hardware products. You will: Build and implement a scalable supply chain and manufacturing model for our growing hardware portfolio. Select, qualify and develop manufacturing partners, EMS providers and key suppliers. Establish sourcing and procurement processes for electronic, mechanical and other critical components. Develop supplier strategies and negotiate prices, lead times, quantities, payment terms and commercial agreements. Work closely with Engineering to support the transition from product development and NPI into production. Establish processes for purchasing, assembly, production, logistics and delivery. Develop inventory management, safety stock and material availability processes. Identify and manage supply-chain risks, including component availability, lead times and single-source dependencies. Establish external testing facilities and partnerships and support the development of internal laboratory capabilities. Ensure the right equipment, tooling and measurement systems are available to support product development and production. Build and improve procurement, inventory and supply-chain workflows in Odoo. Ensure reliable operational data across Purchasing, Inventory, Production, Engineering and Finance. Develop KPIs and reporting to provide clear visibility of cost, quality, delivery, availability and supply-chain risks. Continuously improve our operational processes as the product portfolio and organisation grow. What will make you successful? You are a hands-on supply chain and operations professional who enjoys building things rather than simply maintaining established processes. You are comfortable moving between strategic decisions and practical day-to-day challenges. You can negotiate with suppliers in the morning, work with engineers on a production issue in the afternoon and improve an operational process the next day. You bring: A Bachelor's degree / HBO level in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Technical Business Administration, Engineering Management or a related field. Approximately 5–10 years of relevant experience in supply chain, procurement, operations or manufacturing. Experience in a high-tech, electronics or technology-driven product environment. Demonstrated experience with new product introduction (NPI), production scale-up or the introduction of new products/product lines. Experience establishing or significantly improving supply chains, procurement processes or manufacturing operations. Experience working with EMS providers, contract manufacturers and component suppliers. Strong experience with sourcing and procurement of electronic and/or mechanical components. Experience negotiating commercial agreements with suppliers and external partners. Experience working with an ERP system and translating operational processes into practical workflows. The ability to work both strategically and hands-on. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills. A pragmatic, entrepreneurial and solution-oriented mindset. Experience that would be a plus Experience in Space, Defence, Aerospace, Automotive, Medical Technology or another high-tech hardware environment. Experience in a start-up, scale-up or fast-growing technology organisation. Experience building a supply chain from the ground up. Experience with NPI and transition to serial production. Experience with international suppliers and global supply chains. Experience with Odoo, ideally Odoo 19. Experience with quality, regulatory or compliance requirements for high-tech hardware. Experience with project control, cost control or forecasting. What kind of person are we looking for? You are a builder. You enjoy working in an environment where not everything has already been defined and where there is room to shape how things are done. You bring structure without creating unnecessary bureaucracy and are comfortable taking ownership when challenges arise. You are commercially aware and confident when dealing with suppliers and manufacturing partners, while also being able to understand the technical needs of engineers. Most importantly, you are someone who can turn ideas into practical, reliable and scalable operations. Why join S[&]T? At S[&]T, we transform complex technology and data into solutions that make a real-world impact. As our business expands into hardware products, you will play an important role in shaping this next stage of our growth. You will have the opportunity to build something from the ground up, work closely with technical experts and management, and have a direct impact on how our products move from development into production and ultimately into the market. If you enjoy high-tech products, building operations and solving complex supply-chain challenges, we'd love to hear from you. Please note that if you do not hear back from us within 10 days of your application, you may assume that we have selected another candidate we would like to interview for this position. We do our best to get back to you individually, however, due to a high volume of responses, it can be that we have not been able to reject your application in person. We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy. We are not seeking assistance and will not be liable for any fees or charges associated with unsolicited CVs or candidate introductions. Any candidates submitted by agencies without prior written agreement
Core Responsibilities
Build and scale the supply chain and manufacturing operations for high-tech hardware, including supplier selection, sourcing, procurement, production, inventory, logistics, and testing partnerships. Establish practical ERP workflows and operational reporting, manage supply-chain risks, and work with Engineering and other teams to move products from development into reliable production and delivery.
Requirements
Candidates should have a bachelor's degree or equivalent HBO-level education in a relevant field and approximately 5–10 years of experience in supply chain, procurement, operations, or manufacturing, preferably in a high-tech product environment. They should bring experience with NPI or production scale-up, EMS providers and suppliers, component sourcing and commercial negotiations, ERP workflows, and the ability to work strategically and hands-on.
About S[&]T
Industry: Space Research and Technology
Company size: 51-200 employees
At S[&]T, we are committed to creating a safer life on earth by transforming space data into valuable and actionable insights. We manage data throughout the entire process, from instrument to application. We apply our expertise within our software frameworks, information products and consultancy. Our society relies on space and scientific instruments for crucial services we all use in our daily lives like climate change monitoring, navigation, defence and national security. These instruments generate a vast amount of complex data, and our mission is to unlock its value. With over two decades of expertise in instrument calibration, data quality monitoring tools, real-time data processing frameworks and the development of application-specific algorithms, we empower organisations, governments and industries to strengthen their information position and enhance decision-making. We specialize in the following domains: Space & Science, Defence & Security, Environment & Sustainability, and High-Tech Consulting.