Head of Marine Procurement and Supply Chain

Job Description

Zodiac Maritime is an international ship operating company providing a full range of management services for a wide and diverse fleet of commercial ships, spanning containership to tankers, bulk carriers to PCTCs, and a growing orderbook focused on dual-fuel vessels to improve overall fleet energy efficiency.

Headquartered in London’s bustling West End, our modern, open-plan offices accommodate a growing team of over 200 people. With representative offices across Europe and Asia, our shore-based headcount grows as our fleet continues to expand and diversify, as does our dedicated crew of over 6,500 seafarers.

This is an exciting time for the company as we continue to grow and modernise our fleet and operations. We are looking for hard working and dynamic individuals to come aboard and be a part of the next generation of the Zodiac Maritime team!

Position:

Head of Marine Procurement and Supply Chain
Reporting to:

General Fleet Manager (Technical)
Location:

London

Overview of role

We are seeking to appoint an accomplished Head of Marine Procurement and Supply Chain to lead the transformation of our marine procurement function. In this pivotal role, you will have strategic and operational accountability for driving and delivering optimal performance and stability of the global supply chain for c. 180 vessels.

This is your opportunity to shape the future of our marine procurement function. You will lead and mentor the procurement team, establishing a category management model to deliver competitive advantage and significant business value through optimising procurement processes and activities, enhancing supplier relationships, and implementing sustainable and innovative sourcing, negotiation, and contract management strategies. You would also optimise the way goods needed on board our global fleet of vessels are supplied on board, minimising the cost and lead time, while maximising reliability of supply.

This key leadership role encompasses many elements, including but not limited to the following:

Key responsibilities and primary deliverables

Performance Optimisation
– Achieving exceptional results and sustained competitive advantage by developing and implementing strategies, continuous improvement, and cost-optimisation initiatives across the supply chain.
– Taking ownership for the cost effectiveness, reliability, quality, and sustainability of the supply chain.
– Successfully adapting the structure and operating model of the procurement function in line with business requirements.
– Supported by the CTO, COO, Chief Director of Technical and transformation team, you will lead the digital transformation of the procurement function, including inventory management on-board vessels.
– Developing and implementing performance metrics, controls, and tools to monitor and strengthen the efficiency and cost effectiveness of critical supply chain activities for the fleet. Conduct monthly evaluations against KPIs and recommend adjustments to the COO.
– Ensuring timely and sufficient support to the fleet and wider business on all procurement and supply chain matters.
– Proactively assessing and managing procurement and supply risks to safeguard business continuity. Communicating the impact and potential effects on supply to stakeholders and recommending solutions that maintain quality, service, and cost optimisation.

Supplier Management
– On behalf of the company, managing relationships and negotiating with key suppliers.
– Developing, implementing, and maintaining a supplier relationship and evaluation process to measure supplier performance and compliance. Proactively address any concerns.
– Ensure professional and consistent supplier management is applied across the supply base in accordance with company policies and procedures.
– Negotiating optimal contract terms with key suppliers to safeguard value for money, quality standards, and reliability with input from technical stakeholders.

Relationship Management
– Building trusted and collaborative relationships with key stakeholders to facilitate delivery and compliance with the procurement strategy.
– At all times maintaining and protecting the company’s reputation, and always leading and engaging with the highest level of integrity.
Due to the high volume of applications, we regret that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Financial Management
– Partnering closely with Chief Director of Technical for formulating the vessel operating and dry-docking budget and forecasts, diligently tracking and analysing expenditure against budget, ensuring alignment with financial objectives and protecting the P&L to maximise profitability.
– Partnering closely with Finance to identify and utilise opportunities to reduce cost to company through structural and opportunistic financial measures.

Safety and Compliance
– Actively promoting and enforcing the company safety culture and standards aboard all vessels, collaborating closely with QHSE.
– Ownership for ensuring that procurement and supply chain activities strictly adhere to the company’s QMS, Anti-Bribery and Corruption, Ethical Trading, and Anti-Money Laundering policies and procedures, as well as international maritime regulations, codes, and standards

Leadership
– Providing effective, positive, and trusted leadership to the Procurement team. Working with the team to translate the procurement strategy into departmental objectives and KPIs, ensuring they are adequately trained to succeed in their roles.
– Fostering cross team collaboration and cooperation to deliver required business outcomes.
– Oversee and maintain adequate succession and contingency plans for key leadership positions within your team.

Relevant experience and education

– Minimum of 15 years progressive experience in Supply Chain Management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within a global shipping company (c. 100+ fleet).
– Proven record of delivering exceptional results and sustained competitive advantage across the supply chain.
– Demonstrated experience in driving supply chain transformation and improvement strategies within a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
– Advanced working knowledge of the maritime industry supply chain, including key-players, market trends and conditions, shipboard operations, and international maritime regulations.
– Exceptional negotiation skills and proven experience in contracting and supplier management.
– Highly influential communicator and natural relationship builder with diverse stakeholders.
– Excellent analytical abilities, capable of interpreting data, identifying insights, and making informed decisions to optimise the supply chain.
– Highly developed leadership skills with a willingness to “roll-up sleeves” and lead from the front in delivering effective procurement strategies, policies, processes, and systems.
– Natural ability to understand the wider business context, to think ahead, navigate ambiguity and determine priorities whilst working through periods of intense pressure.
– Must possess financial and commercial acumen, and have previous accountability for elements of the fleet P&L.
– Enjoys working within a culturally diverse, flat structured, entrepreneurial organisation.
– MSc in Supply Chain Management or Engineering would be an advantage.

Due to the high volume of applications, we regret that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.