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A satellite maker hiring a senior category director to run serial production across five European countries signals ICEYE is shifting from building a few bespoke spacecraft to mass-producing satellites for sovereign and government customers, and is buying supply-chain control to keep up.
Director, Supply Chain Category
Location: Espoo, Finland / Munich, Germany / Warsaw, Poland / Valencia, Spain / Athens, Greece / Netherlands
Department: Global Supply Chain
Reports to: Global Director Supply Chain
Employment type: Permanent
Workplace model: Office
Employment is subject to applicable security screening (incl. SUPO, where required)
As Director, Supply Chain Category, you’ll keep ICEYE’s satellite production supplied and on schedule.
You will lead four supply chain categories: Mechanical Systems and Manufacturing Enablement; Flight Control, Power and Structure; Electronics and Communication; and Optical and Inter Satellite Link. The supply chain teams of our sister companies in Spain, Poland, Germany and Greece will also report to you.
You will be accountable for a large, strategically critical annual procurement spend, and for turning category strategies into continuous supply for serial production. You will work closely with the Director, Supply Chain Strategy, who supports your categories with risk assessment, supplier development and partnerships. This role is for a hands-on, technically grounded leader with a strong mechanical and electromechanical background, who has managed complex, highly regulated supply chains across countries and cultures.
ICEYE is the world leader in sovereign intelligence from space. We deliver persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth.
ICEYE owns the world's largest and most advanced SAR (synthetic aperture radar) satellite constellation. To our customers we provide intelligence with unmatched quality, latency and revisit times, in any weather, day or night. To governments who choose to operate their own constellation we provide this proven capability as a sovereign system.
ICEYE-built constellations serve customers in defence and intelligence, environmental monitoring, insurance and emergency management. We enable fast decisions that contribute to a safer future.
Founded and headquartered in Finland, ICEYE operates globally with over 1000 employees across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
Lead the four supply chain categories through their Team Managers and own each category strategy: supplier base, sourcing approach, make-or-buy input and cost targets, aligned with the production ramp-up.
Secure uninterrupted supply for serial satellite production by aligning supplier capacity with the production plan and protecting lead times and quality through dual sourcing, buffer stocks, long-term agreements and obsolescence management.
Be accountable for a large annual procurement spend, including budget, savings targets and cost at production rate, and track delivery, quality, lead time and inventory performance, reporting results and risks to the executive team.
Lead the supply chain teams of our sister companies in Spain, Poland, Germany and Greece, building one operating model with common processes, systems and governance, and creating synergies through bundled spend, shared qualified suppliers, joint negotiations and local sourcing where it makes sense.
Lead, coach and develop Team Managers, country supply chain leads, Category Managers and Supply Chain Specialists across several countries, including hiring, succession planning and a culture of ownership, urgency and accountability.
Own executive-level relationships with strategic suppliers, partner with category leads in major negotiations on long-term supply agreements, pricing, capacity, quality and liability terms, and oversee supplier selection, qualification and performance management.
Engage early with Engineering on design for manufacturing, design-to-cost and supply feasibility, manage the supply impact of engineering changes, and provide technical leadership across mechanical, electromechanical, electronics and optical categories.
Work with the Head of Compliance to meet the requirements of a highly regulated space and defence environment, including export control, security, traceability and counterfeit prevention in every country, and manage supply risks, escalating structural risks to the Director, Supply Chain Strategy.
What we’re looking for
Must haves:
Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics or a related technical discipline, ideally a Master’s degree in engineering.
Solid mechanical and electromechanical background, with the technical depth to lead discussions with engineering and suppliers.
8+ years in supply chain, procurement or category management roles in technically complex and highly regulated environments.
Proven track record of managing large-scale procurement spend in complex, multi-category environments.
Experience leading multi-level teams, including managers, across several countries, and working with suppliers and teams from different cultures.
Strong negotiation skills, with a record of closing complex framework and long-term supply agreements.
Strong communication, leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Strong English skills (C1 preferred, B2 minimum).
Experience in space, aerospace, defence or other regulated, high-reliability industries.
Knowledge of export control regimes (EU dual-use rules, ITAR and EAR) and quality standards such as AS9100.
Experience scaling supply chains from low-volume to serial production.
Working knowledge of Spanish, Polish, German or Greek.
Talent Attraction Interview
Hiring Manager Interview
Technical / skills assessment - 60 min
Team / culture interview - On-site, 120 min
Final / exec approval - On-site, 30 min
At ICEYE, you’ll join a diverse and highly engaged team united by the ambition to make the impossible possible. As a global scale-up, we combine speed and ambition with the opportunity to take real ownership from day one. Your growth, wellbeing, and success are a priority, with continuous professional development, training opportunities, and a culture where collaboration is how we win.
Make the impossible possible: We set ambitious goals and stay calm under pressure. We bring grit, optimism, and ownership when things get hard, and we keep moving until we find a way.
Be curious: Go deep, ask questions, listen carefully, and think critically. Understand the “why” behind decisions.
See the big picture: Stay close to what’s happening across the company so you can make better decisions. Consider how your work affects others.
Drive effective teamwork: Create psychological safety, invite different perspectives, and build inclusive teams. There are no bad questions.
Act as one team: We win together. We match tasks to the right owner and stay agile as priorities shift.
Have fun: What we do matters, and it should be enjoyable. Celebrate progress, take pride in results, and share the wins.
Our benefits are designed to support your health and wellbeing, at work and beyond. We keep improving them based on employee feedback, and offerings vary by location. Talent Attraction will confirm what applies for this role and location during the process.
Base salary range for this position depends on experience, and will be negotiated individually.
We want ICEYE to be a place where people can be themselves and do great work. Different backgrounds and perspectives make us stronger, which is why we work to create an environment where people feel included, respected, and able to speak up. Whatever your background, we want you to bring your authentic self to the table.
We’re committed to fair, inclusive hiring and equal opportunity. Everyone is welcome to apply. If you need any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, tell us, and we’ll do our best to help.
Apply now to start your ICEYE journey, and help us continue to make the impossible possible together. Read more about ICEYE and working with us at iceye.com.
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