BASEL OFFICE - Director Technical Supply Chain & Planning
Viking was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused voyages on oceans, rivers and lakes around the world. Designed for experienced travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences for The Thinking Person®.
Viking has more than 250 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler and voted at the top of its categories by Travel + Leisure. No other cruise line has ever received these same honors by both publications at the same time.
Please note that we can only accept applicants who are eligible to work in Switzerland or in possession of a valid work permit.
ROLE DESCRIPTION
• As Director Technical Supply Chain & Planning you will be part of the Maintenance and Repair Operations (MRO) function that provides 24/7 technical support to the entire Viking River Cruises fleet, in close support with the Deck & Engine team onboard the ships.
You will be responsible for overseeing the procurement and logistics functions for all technical items. In addition, you define and negotiate large maintenance contracts and are responsible for the overall planning of the scheduled and preventive maintenance activities. Finally, you will lead the definition of all internal and cross-departmental processes and their implementation and development within the maintenance software.
As Director Technical Supply Chain & Planning you will report to the Head of Technical & Newbuild, lead a team of 15+ employees, and liaise closely with the two Director Technical Operations and with other various departments such as the Nautical, Onboard Operations and IT departments. The role is based in Basel, Switzerland and involves intensive travelling to our service-hubs, shipyards, and docking locations across Europe and Egypt.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership & stakeholder management
• Leading a team of 15+ employees across two teams (supply chain and planning).
• Developing strong relationships with the maintenance team to ensure continuous process improvement and to align planning with both our strategic goals and operational requirements.
• Coordinating across departments with the nautical and onboard operations teams to guarantee proper resource planning and smooth and timely execution of the planned maintenance.
• Working closely with the finance team to define and to implement internal processes that lead to accurate financial reporting.
• Partnering with the Director Technical Operations in strengthening and developing the relationship with our vendors.
• Reporting and communicating business updates to the corporate team and to the executive leadership.
Technical Supply Chain
• Leading technical procurement and logistics establishing an effective supply chain to the ships and to our technical warehouses according to the defined service levels, timelines, and budgets.
• Defining reference stock levels of technical items based on supply chain and operational needs and managing the inventory levels in our warehouses accordingly.
• Negotiating and/or establishing maintenance service contracts with key suppliers through clear and well-executed bidding procedures leading to cost savings or service improvements.
• Utilizing a solid analytical approach to identify opportunities for process improvement, cost savings, and operational enhancements.
Planning
• Planning scheduled and preventive maintenance activities, in close alignment with the MRO teams.
• Leading the definition of all internal and cross-departmental processes for handling maintenance and supply chain activities.
• Training and conducting regular audits to ensure the defined internal procedures are properly followed.
• Overseeing the optimization of the maintenance software and its interface with other IT tools (e.g., finance) to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness of the maintenance team.
• Responsibility for the quality, structure, and maintenance of the technical item master data.
• Building and maintaining granular reporting to analyze the spend and identify cost saving opportunities.
KEY QUALIFICATIONS
Leadership & Functional skills
• Proven leadership experience in overseeing procurement and logistics operations, preferably within the maritime or transportation industry.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, analyze trends, develop strategic recommendations, and communicate them in a clear and compelling manner.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large maintenance contracts, optimize procurement processes, and plan large-scale maintenance activities effectively.
• Proven ability to lead and coordinate a large organization across multiple sites.
• Solid understanding of maintenance and supply chain software systems and their implementation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
Soft Skills
• Strong customer-centricity and exceptional service mindset.
• Positive and open-minded team player with a collaborative attitude.
• Goal-oriented, self-motivated, and self-directed.
• Flexible mindset, with strong social and intercultural competencies.
Other skills & requirements
• Language skills: English (oral and written) on business level. German is a plus.
• Professional appearance and demeanor
• Flexible and able to work extended and/or irregular hours, including weekends.
• Able to travel extensively within the operational areas, including on short notice.
• Proficient in using the MS Office suite; knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics, Power BI and Project is a plus.
EDUCATION
• Degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience working as an analyst is preferred.
• Experience in strategic planning and project management is preferred.
CULTURE & BENEFITS
• Fast-growing and dynamic environment, a modern workspace, flexible working hours
HOW TO APPLY