VP Supply Chain

Job Description
SWISSto12 is one of the world's fastest-growing aerospace companies, evolving from its pioneering use of 3D printing technologies for high-performance Radio Frequency (RF) products and applications to recently announcing the manufacture of entire geostationary telecom satellites, called HummingSat, that define a new category in space.

HummingSat is the world's first commercial telecom GEO SmallSat developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA). Its uniquely compact size combined with highly capable telecom payloads allows telecommunications operators to deploy a cost-efficient, compact, and agile asset without sacrificing performance or security. HummingSat has been selected by Intelsat to build the I-45 satellite, by Inmarsat to build three I-8 satellites, and recently by Astrum Mobile to build the NEASTAR-1 satellite.

SWISSto12 is also a leading provider of Radio-Frequency (RF) products and sub-systems for satellite communication and remote sensing applications. The company's patented 3D printing technologies and associated product designs are unique to deliver lightweight, compact, highly performing, and competitive RF products.

This position is a unique opportunity to play a key role in the growth and scale-up of a new category leader in the Aerospace industry.

Join us in shaping the future of space innovation. This is a unique opportunity to lead procurement and supply chain strategy for the company's Space products and systems—including our flagship HummingSat program. With an annual spend exceeding $100M and individual contracts typically ranging from $1M to $30M, this role offers significant influence over our industrialisation roadmap, supplier ecosystem, and financial performance.

As Vice President, you will drive strategic sourcing, supplier partnerships, contract negotiations, and drive supplier execution across a high-tech, fast-scaling environment. You will also build and lead a high-performing procurement team, directly impacting product delivery, quality, cost efficiency, and cash flow. This role reports directly to the CEO and is a key member of the executive leadership team.

Job Requirements

Ownership
:

• Lead procurement and supply chain for all Space products, including HummingSat.
• Define strategy, select and develop key suppliers, execute large-scale RFPs, and negotiate high-impact contracts.

Execution & Accountability
:

• Ensure supply chain performance across schedule, quality, cost, and cash flow.
• Drive dual sourcing strategies and contribute to the industrialisation and product ramp-up.

Program Support
:

• Deliver procurement excellence across all Space programs.
• Actively support program deliveries, product development, industrialisation, and evolution initiatives.

Team Leadership
:

• Build and manage a high-performing team of procurement managers and specialists.
• Foster a culture of excellence in supplier development and strategic sourcing.

Cross-Functional
:

• Establish robust collaboration with Program Management, Finance, Product Management, Engineering, Quality, AIT, and the executive team.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic & Technical

• Proven success in building complex, high-value supply chains in high-tech industries
• Expertise in complex contract negotiations and long-term partnership development
• Skilled in crafting win–win contractual frameworks
• Solid understanding of contract law and export control regulations
• Engineering or science degree with the ability to grasp complex technical products
• Relevant sectors include aeronautics, defense, and rail; experience in aerospace or space is considered a strong advantage

Supplier & Stakeholder Engagement

• Strong track record of executing major subcontracts with deep technical and operational interdependencies
• Proactive approach to supply chain risk management and subcontractor support
• Ability to engage effectively with large OEMs across engineering, project management, and executive levels

Leadership & Team Development

• Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing procurement and supply chain teams
• Inspirational leadership with a focus on developing both individual contributors and future leaders

Global Readiness & Communication

• 15+ years of experience in supply chain management
• Comfortable working under tight timelines in a multicultural, multi-time-zone environment; frequent travel required
• Fluent in English; proficiency in French, German, or Spanish is a plus

Job Benefits

Further details to be shared by our recruitment team.

SWISSto12 offers a full-time contract. This is an onsite position based out of our Lausanne (Renens), Switzerland office and will require frequent travels to visit external partners and stakeholders as well as between our various office locations.  

More about SWISSto12:

SWISSto12 has successfully established contracts with Intelsat, Inmarsat, Astrum Mobile and ESA for HummingSat as well as contracts for their RF product line in Europe, and the US with prominent partners and customers such as Thales, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, SES and the ESA. SWISSto12 is a spin off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), is privately owned and backed by prominent Swiss and European Investors. SWISSto12 is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, and operates a US and European-subsidiariesy in Foster City California. The company is well funded for its near and mid-term developments and backed by a solid customer revenue stream.