Propulsion Procurement Manager (Aerospace)

TL;DR

Propulsion Procurement Manager (Aerospace): Managing the procurement lifecycle for critical propulsion systems for the Nyx orbital vehicle with an accent on make-or-buy strategy development and supplier partnership management. Focus on collaborating with engineering teams to ensure production schedules are met while driving efficiency and scalability in a complex technical environment.

Location: Must be a national of specific ESA member states or Canada; role is based in Bordeaux, France with relocation assistance provided.

Company

The Exploration Company is developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle designed for cargo and human transport.

What you will do

• Develop and implement make-or-buy strategies for propulsion systems.
• Collaborate with engineers to identify and partner with innovative New Space industry suppliers.
• Lead RFx campaigns and manage the full supplier selection process.
• Negotiate and execute contracts with external partners.
• Support production, testing, and qualification schedules through effective supply chain management.
• Challenge internal processes to improve efficiency and scalability.

Requirements

• Nationality: Must be a national of Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, or Slovakia.
• Degree in a technical, engineering, or business discipline.
• Experience working closely with engineering teams on complex technical projects.
• Proven ability to work autonomously under pressure and manage conflicting priorities.
• English: Excellent written and spoken communication skills required.
• Basic knowledge of contracts and business administration.

Nice to have

• Experience in Procurement or Supply Chain management.
• Proficiency in Odoo or other ERP systems.
• Language skills in French, German, or Italian.

Culture & Benefits

• Agile decision-making environment with a focus on speed and transparency.
• Open and collaborative culture centered on overcoming technical risks.
• Opportunity to contribute to the democratization of space exploration.
• Relocation assistance and visa sponsorship provided for eligible candidates.