Job Description

NEW CAREER OPPORTUNITY

Build your career with Kraken Robotics. Make a difference to others. If innovation drives you, and you want a career that makes a difference to the world, helping humanity overcome the challenges in our oceans – safely, efficiently, and sustainably – then come join us at Kraken Robotics.

Kraken Robotics is currently seeking a Director, Supply Quality and Development to join our team.

The Director, Supply, Quality & Development leads the global supplier strategy to ensure scalable growth, operational excellence, and cost competitiveness. This role integrates supply chain, supplier quality, and development, leveraging deep process and production knowledge to build a high-performing, resilient, and future-ready supply base.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a global supplier strategy, including supplier consolidation and regional/global preferred vendor frameworks.
• Implement and manage supplier performance frameworks, including scorecards, KPIs, and reporting for continuous improvement.
• Lead supplier development initiatives, ensuring suppliers have the capability, capacity, and technology to meet production needs efficiently.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Procurement, and Legal to standardize supplier requirements, agreements, and governance frameworks.
• Drive cost optimization through strategic sourcing, resourcing initiatives, and economies of scale.
• Oversee supplier quality performance, including target setting, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Ensure alignment between supplier tooling, documentation, and purchase orders, supporting scalable production.
• Lead advanced quality planning and process optimization discussions with suppliers to improve manufacturability and productivity.
• Approve and manage the Approved Supplier List, including supplier evaluation and ongoing performance management.
• Provide leadership to a global supplier development function, establishing policies, best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Apply process and production knowledge to identify risks, optimize production workflows, and support operational decision-making.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience across supply chain, quality, supplier development, and production processes, including senior leadership roles.
• Hands-on experience with production processes, tooling, and process optimization to support operational scalability.
• Proven success developing and executing global supplier strategies and optimizing supply bases for performance, cost, and capacity.
• Strong expertise in supplier performance management, quality systems, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Solid technical foundation: ability to read engineering drawings, apply GD&T, and engage in process and manufacturability discussions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional, global teams and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills, translating data into actionable insights.
• Experience working with global suppliers and across diverse cultures.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally as required.