The posting
About FFC
Fusion Fuel Cycles (FFC) is building the first integrated fusion fuel cycle, UNITY 2, at CNL’s Chalk River Laboratories. Delivering UNITY 2, and commercializing the capability behind it, depends on a supply chain able to source, qualify, and deliver first-of-a-kind (FOAK) engineered systems, on schedule, to cost, and to quality. FFC’s supply chain function is being established, and this is your chance to design it as it scales.
About Supply Chain Director
- Strategy: set the supply chain strategy from FOAK delivery through commercial scale globally.
- Operations: set procurement priorities, direct critical sourcing and oversee supplier performance; run day-to-day sourcing, procurement, supplier management, logistics, and inventory.
- Scale: build the foundations (processes, systems, and team) that let the supply chain scale with the business.
The role works across every FFC function, the executive team, both parent companies, and FFC’s suppliers and partners. Scope will broaden as the organization scales, with a path to greater ownership and responsibility, including building and leading a supply chain team. We value industry and consulting experience equally; what matters is that you have delivered real supply chain outcomes.
Supply Chain Strategy & Planning
As the Supply Chain Director, you own the supply chain strategy and its alignment with FFC’s business plan and corporate strategy.
- Strategy development — develop, maintain, and execute a multi-year supply chain strategy tied to FFC’s corporate strategy, the UNITY 2 schedule, and commercialization plans, and translate it into annual plans, budgets, and KPIs.
- Make-versus-buy and sourcing strategy — lead make-versus-buy, single- versus dual-source, and strategic partnership decisions for FOAK and long-lead systems, backed by business cases and total-cost-of-ownership analysis.
- Demand and supply planning — work with Engineering, Projects, and Finance to forecast material and equipment needs, plan around lead times, and align procurement timing with project milestones and cash flow.
- Risk and resilience — identify, quantify, and mitigate supply risks, including single-source dependencies, long lead times, and trade and export controls.
Sourcing, Procurement & Supplier Management
- Procurement execution — run end-to-end sourcing and procurement (RFQs and RFPs, bid evaluation, negotiation, contracting, and purchase orders) for engineered systems, components, materials, and services, driving cost, schedule, and quality outcomes.
- Expediting — actively expedite long-lead and FOAK orders through supplier visits, progress meetings, and milestone tracking, spotting slippage early and protecting or pulling forward delivery dates.
- Supplier base — build a qualified, performance-managed supplier base with Engineering and Quality, including supplier qualification, audits, scorecards, and corrective actions.
- Strategic partnerships — build and manage multi-year relationships and long-term agreements with key suppliers, including protection of FFC technology.
- Issues and deviations — resolve non-conformances, technical deviations, delays, changes, and cost claims directly with suppliers and FFC teams, negotiating recovery plans and commercial settlements firmly without damaging the relationship.
- Repeatable processes — design sourcing and procurement policies, approval thresholds, and workflows that scale as FFC grows.
Logistics, Compliance & Function Leadership
- Logistics and inventory — manage freight, import and export, customs, receiving, storage, and inventory control for equipment and materials, including delivery to Chalk River Laboratories.
- Quality, compliance, and systems — ensure supply chain activities meet FFC quality requirements and CNL site, nuclear, and export-control requirements, and implement the procurement, inventory, and reporting tools needed to run the function.
- Leadership, governance, and reporting — own the supply chain budget and forecasts, report performance and risks to the executive team and Board, support bids and proposals, and bring in contractors or hires as the function grows.
- Strategy — delivery of an approved supply chain strategy, operating model, and resourcing plan.
- Financial and commercial outcomes — supply chain budget, procurement commitments within delegated authority, commercial value, and cost control.
- Procurement delivery — critical procurement milestones, long-lead equipment readiness, supplier performance, and resolution or timely escalation of issues and risks to project cost, schedule, or quality.
- Governance and compliance — effective purchasing controls and supplier oversight, and adherence to requirements in partnership with the responsible specialists.
- Performance and capability — measurable KPIs, accurate executive reporting, corrective action plans, and development of the supply chain team and systems as FFC scales.
Must Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field; MBA, advanced degree, or supply chain designation (e.g., SCMP, CSCP, or CPSM) an asset.
- 8+ years of progressive supply chain, procurement, or operations experience in an engineering-intensive or regulated environment, in industry, consulting, or both, including leading a function or major programs, and hands-on experience with complex suppliers (precision manufacturing, special processes, and nuclear-grade or high-spec components).
- Track record of taking a supply chain strategy from blank page to delivered outcome, whether building a function or leading a major program; comfortable working hands-on in a fast-moving, early-stage organization.
- Strong working knowledge of strategic sourcing, procurement, and supplier management for complex engineered equipment and long-lead items, including contract negotiation, post-award commercial management (changes, claims, recovery plans, and settlements), and make-versus-buy decisions, with a track record of building long-term strategic supplier partnerships.
- Strong structured problem-solving: able to turn raw data into a clear recommendation with limited direction, using advanced Excel and financial modeling for business cases, total cost of ownership, and cost and pricing models.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management: able to explain supply chain risks, technical deviations, and commercial trade-offs in plain language to engineers, executives, the Board, and suppliers, influence senior leaders, produce executive- and Board-ready material, and manage multiple workstreams to deadline.
- Comfortable using AI tools for research, drafting, analysis and tool development.
- Eligible to work in Canada, able to travel to Ottawa and other locations as required, and able to meet the requirements for site access at CNL’s Chalk River Laboratories
Nice to Haves
- Experience in nuclear, fusion, aerospace, defence, energy, or another regulated, highly engineered sector, including FOAK, R&D, or capital project supply chains and nuclear procurement quality requirements (such as CSA N299).
- Experience with import and export controls, customs, and international logistics, including cross-border sourcing (for example, from Japan and the United States).
- Genuine interest in fusion, clean energy, or deep tech, and in helping an early-stage company scale.
Benefits
- Medical, dental and vision benefit from day one.
- Competitive paid vacation and sick time.
- Small, tight-knit team with low barriers to action.
- Exposure to a wide variety of problems for unparalleled, hands-on professional growth.
Accommodation is available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodation, please reach out to [email protected].
