Head of Manufacturing and Supply Chain - Blue Ocean Seismic Services

careers

Head of Manufacturing and Supply Chain

Farnborough area, UK

Full Time

Travel required: <30%

Reporting to: Managing Director / CEO

Salary:Negotiable depending on experience

The Role

Blue Ocean Seismic Services (BlueOcean) is seeking a highly capable Head of Manufacturing with a broad background, to support the development and production of bespoke uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) & support systems.

This is a senior management position, and the successful candidate will work closely with Engineering, Operations, and the other members of the senior management team.

As Blue Ocean Seismic Services intends to use 3^rd party contract manufacturers to build products at commercial scale (of the order several thousands of units), this role will have responsibility and accountability for the manufacturing and/or production function within Blue Ocean, which will include procurement, contract manufacturer and budgetary management. As a member of the senior management team, you will provide recommendations on manufacturing/production related business decisions.

The manufacturing function will cover some or all of the following definition within its business: use various processes and methods to transform raw materials, components and parts into finished goods/vehicles for customers to required standards of quality, cost, delivery and safety.

Blue Ocean Seismic Services Background

Blue Ocean Seismic Services (Blue Ocean) is an innovative maritime robotics
focussed technology company with significant shareholders including BP and
Woodside.
Our vision is to disrupt the marine seismic industry through the development and
commercialisation of a large-scale autonomous ocean bottom seismic data
acquisition system, driving a step change reduction in the cost, time, HSE risks and
environmental impact associated with acquiring high quality marine seismic data.
These reductions in survey cost make ocean bottom seismic attainable to a broader
range of customers including for carbon capture and storage (CCS) and offshore
wind farm site survey applications. By significantly reducing the carbon footprint of
seismic surveys our technology assists clients in their push towards a net-zero
future.
Blue Ocean’s revolutionary integrated seismic acquisition system is based around
large numbers of intelligent, long endurance, uncrewed underwater vehicles
(UUVs).
These Blue Ocean developed UUVs are capable of multiple autonomous seabed
repositions to allow rapid, remote repositioning of deployed seabed receiver arrays
without the need to recover and redeploy by ROV. This, in combination with
automated launch, recovery & handling systems, rapid deployment/recovery, and
intelligent system control, allows for optimisation of seismic acquisition survey
operations and removes the requirement for ROV vessel support.
We are a dynamic, friendly, diverse, and inclusive workplace and welcome all
applications. We consider safety and security a priority.

Required Experience & Qualifications

Educated to degree level (preferably Masters) in a relevant engineering / manufacturing discipline or equivalent qualification and experience.
Demonstrable experience of leading a manufacturing function with a proven track record in effective manufacturing strategies, policies, processes, and systems (eg. ERP, MRP, etc.)
Proven experience managing 3^rd party contract manufacturing processes
Proficiency in procurement and tendering processes
Ability to add value, reduce costs and make business improvements
Proven project management and build quality experience
Experience in complex products manufacturing, scaling up from internal prototype build to mid-volume (thousands) 3^rd party manufacturing of commercial version (and intermediate version with hundreds of units)
Experience of operating and influencing at a strategic level
Proven leadership and management skills with the ability to optimise team performance and development
Excellent relationship management skills with the ability to engage, negotiate and manage key stakeholders, partners, contractors, and suppliers
Strong and confident negotiator with the ability to negotiate at all levels
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
Results orientated with ability to plan and deliver against project deadlines
Resilient, self-motivated, and able to work well under pressure
Technical/engineering mindset

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

Experience in manufacturing Dual Use and export-controlled products

Specific responsibilities include, to lead the following project components:

Overall responsibility for Manufacturing and Supply Chain activities across the company
Ownership of the manufacturing strategy and implementation so that company’s business plan is achieved (business objectives, operational needs, price, quality, and delivery targets).
Initial focus on manufacturing partner identification, evaluation, selection, relationship management and contract negotiation.
Leadership of internal manufacturing (prototype, pre-series), in conjunction with Engineering management.
To develop and implement best practices for manufacturing function, including vision, strategy, policies, processes, procedures, and guidelines to aid and improve business performance
Evaluation of manufacturing related risks (sanctions, export, chip shortages and other supply chain issues, etc.) and take action to mitigate those and develop opportunities
To oversee the procurement team, activities, and supplier relationships.
Regular travel to visit, evaluate, and ultimately manage manufacturing partners and contractors will be required (<30%).