Director Technical Supply Chain & Planning plays a crucial role in the Maintenance and Repair Operations (MRO) function of Viking River Cruises. The MRO team provides 24/7 technical support to the entire Viking fleet, collaborating closely with the Deck & Engine team onboard.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead a team of 15+ employees across two teams: supply chain and planning.
* Develop strong relationships with the maintenance team to ensure continuous process improvement and align planning with strategic goals and operational requirements.
* Coordinate across departments with nautical and onboard operations teams for proper resource planning and timely execution of planned maintenance.
* Work closely with the finance team to define and implement internal processes for accurate financial reporting.
* Partner with the Director Technical Operations to strengthen vendor relationships.
* Report business updates to corporate teams and executive leadership.
Technical Supply Chain
* Establish an effective supply chain to ships and technical warehouses according to service levels, timelines, and budgets.
* Define reference stock levels of technical items based on supply chain and operational needs, managing inventory levels accordingly.
* Negotiate and establish maintenance service contracts with key suppliers through clear bidding procedures, leading to cost savings or service improvements.
* Analyze opportunities for process improvement, cost savings, and operational enhancements.
Planning
* Plan scheduled and preventive maintenance activities in close alignment with the MRO team.
* Define internal and cross-departmental processes for handling maintenance and supply chain activities.
* Train and conduct regular audits to ensure defined procedures are followed.
* Oversee the optimization of maintenance software and its interface with other IT tools for enhanced operational efficiency.
* Ensure quality, structure, and maintenance of technical item master data.
* Built granular reporting to analyze spend and identify cost saving opportunities.
Requirements
* Proven leadership experience in procurement and logistics operations, preferably in the maritime or transportation industry.
* Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret data, develop strategic recommendations, and communicate them clearly.
* Demonstrated ability to manage large maintenance contracts, optimize procurement processes, and plan large-scale maintenance effectively.
* Solid understanding of maintenance and supply chain software systems and their implementation.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for collaboration with cross-functional teams.