Supply Chain Manager (Contingent)

Kepler Communications Inc.; Toronto; On-site; CAD 94,000 - 119,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity plan

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Unlimited vacation

Parental leave

Company-wide holiday shutdown

Relocation packages

Job summary

Kepler Communications in Toronto is seeking a Supply Chain Manager to own end-to-end procurement, supplier management, and material readiness across satellite programs. You will bridge engineering, program management, and suppliers to support prototype builds through production with a robust, agile, and cost-effective supply chain.

The role emphasizes strategic partnerships, technical acumen, and execution in a fast-moving space environment, with a focus on optimizing procurement strategies and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Engineering or business administration.
• Experience with sourcing electro-mechanical and electrical components.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes related to mechanical/electrical components.
• Experience building automated reporting methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement supply chain strategies to meet program needs.
• Lead NPI activities for high complexity components from inception to production.
• Lead supplier sourcing for spacecraft subsystems and customer hardware.
• Identify and manage supply chain risk with contingency plans.
• Optimize supplier selection through cost analysis and total cost of ownership.
• Develop procurement plans and strategies across products and programs.
• Own end-to-end procurement activity from sourcing to program delivery.
• Support supplier onboarding and maintain approved supplier lists.
• Drive supplier relationship management for reliability and responsiveness.
• Coordinate and support BRR, MRR, TRR readiness reviews.

Skills

End-to-end procurement

Supplier relationship management

Cost analysis & TCO

ERP / MRP systems

NPI for electromechanical components

Risk management

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management

Engineering or business administration

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

NetSuite

Job description

At Kepler Communications, we're not just imagining the future of on-demand space connectivity - we're leading it!

Our mission is to provide real-time Internet accessforspace-based assets, enabling a new era of data-driven exploration and innovation.With 33 satellites launched to date, Kepler operatesthe first commercial optical data relay constellation, enabling real-time, continuous space communications while supporting advanced on-orbitcomputeand hosted payload capabilities.

Industry-leading technology is only part of the story. What sets Kepler apart is our team: bold thinkers, skilled builders, and passionate problem-solvers who thrive on pushing the boundaries of what’spossible in space. We believe great ideas come from diverse perspectives, andwe’recommitted to creating an environment where you can grow, lead, and make a global impact.

Ifyou’reready to reach higher, move faster, and do work that shapes the future space economy - this is your launchpad. Come build the future with Kepler!

What We Offer:

• Competitive compensation with a robust equity plan to share in our success.
• Comprehensive coverage for health, dental, and vision insurance—including dependents.
• Unlimited vacation, supportive parental leave policy, and company-wide holiday shutdown.
• Semi-annual company-wide parties and frequent in-office team events.
• Relocation packages available for approved roles.
• $1,500 annual professional development fund to support your growth.
• Fully stocked Toronto office kitchen with snacks, drinks, games and top-notch kitchen appliances.
• Town Halls, Celebration Calls, and Company-wide events to stay connected and engaged.
• We’re a certified Great Place to Work®, five years in a row!

Position Status: Contingent Upon Program Award

As a Supply Chain Manager at Kepler you’ll be responsible for end-to-end ownership of procurement, supplier management, and material readiness across satellite programs.

You will bridge the gap between engineering, program management, and external suppliers, ensuring Kepler’s missions from prototype builds to constellation-scale production are supported by a robust, agile, and cost-effective supply chain.

At Kepler, the role goes beyond transactional procurement;it’s aboutstrategic partnership, technicalacumenand operational execution in a very fast-moving space environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Play a key role in defining and implementing supply chain strategies to meet the needs of the Program
• Lead NPI activities for high complexity electromechanical components and assemblies frominceptionto production
• Lead supplier sourcing activities for internal product teams (IPTs) developing spacecraft subsystems and customer hardware
• Identifyand manage supply chain risk including the development of contingency plans
• Optimizecomponentand supplier selection through cost analysis, total cost of ownership, and make-or-buy evaluations
• Develop procurement plans by defining and implementing procurement strategies across products and programs
• Lead end-to-end procurement activity from sourcing to program delivery
• Identifyand manage procurement risk including the development of contingency plans – i.e.supplier financial and/or schedule risk
• Gather bids & lead reviews with program leadership and key stakeholders
• Develop sourcing strategies aligned with technical product requirements
• Develop negotiation plans based on the needs of the business
• Lead supplier onboarding activities whilemaintainingand updating approved supplier lists (ASL)
• Optimize component and supplier selection, analyze equipment costs and drive savings
• Tactical buying purchase order generation for commodities,servicesand equipment
• Lead supplier due diligence initiatives and onboarding
• Act as point of contact for suppliers by confirming delivery schedules, resolving non-conformities and discrepancies, and escalating delays
• Contribute tomaintainingsupplier scorecards and department KPIs
• Drive supplier relationship management to ensure responsiveness and reliability
• Identify and mitigate supplier related technical and programmatic risks
• Support the Quality team to address supplier non-conformances, ensuringtimelyimplementation and verification of corrective actions
• Own assigned engineering work packages tomaintaincontrol of the costed bill of materials and enable smooth,timelysupply delivery
• Influence design decisions by proactivelyidentifyingand advocating for forfeasible, cost-effective solutions
• Work upstream with the technical community to accelerate and de-risk procurement for long lead and EEE components
• Lead Clear to Build reviews
• Coordinate BoM Readiness Reviews (BRR)
• Coordinate and support Manufacturing Readiness Reviews (MRR) and Test Readiness Reviews (TRR)
• Participate in production standups communicating expected delivery dates,delaysand key updates
• Coordinate schedules and expected deliverables to operations groups
• Support ERP system refinement and data accuracy to enhance visibility and decision-making
• Develop scalable processes & tools to support Kepler’s growth toward larger constellation production
• Identify automation or digitization opportunities for supply chain data collection activities
• Help drive implementation of inventory management system (IMS)

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Engineering or business administration
• 7+ years of experience in supply chain management, engineering or engineering adjacent roles
• Direct experience sourcing medium-to-high complexity electro-mechanical and electrical components and small/medium assemblies
• Experience with mechanical or electrical engineering concepts related tocomponentprocurement
• Understanding of manufacturing/fabrication process related to mechanical or electrical components (PCB/PCBA)
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to leverage AI-assisted engineering and development tools to improve productivity, design quality, and innovation while adapting to evolving technologies and best practices
• Experience with using ERP, Procurement or MRP systems
• Ability to assess sourcing,programmaticand technical risk associated with bringing a product from development to production
• Experience building automated & scalable reporting methodologies

Bonus Points:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanicalengineeringor any other relevant degree
• NetSuite experience
• Previous work in space, aerospace, or a high complexity hardware industry
• Experience with CGP, ITAR, EAR, or Controlled Goods sourcing & procurement
• Experience building scalable & sustainable processes & tools
• Lean Six Sigma or PMP designation
• Experience reading and analyzing engineering drawings and 3D models
• Experience with supplier terms and conditions or master supplier agreements (MSA) covering pricing structures, lead times, warranty, quality standards, and delivery terms

Salary Range: $94,363 - 119,363 CAD

Actual total compensation will be determined at the Company’s discretion and is based on a variety of job-related factors, which may include, but are not limited to, relevant knowledge, skills, experience, performance, and education and/or training. The Company encourages all qualified applicants to apply, even if the posted salary range does not align with their expectations, as it does not reflect our total compensation package.
Job Type: Contingent Upon Program Award

Employment Equity & Accommodation Statement

Kepler Communications is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please contact our People & Culture team at [email protected], and we will work with you to meet your needs.

At Kepler Communications, all hiring decisions are made by people. Human recruiters are involved in every step of our recruitment process. We use AI-based tools (such as Lever AI and HireEZ) to assist with the initial review of applications by ranking candidates based on job-relevant criteria. These tools support - but do not replace - human judgment.