Operations Planning & Analytics Lead (All genders)
About Us
STARK is a new kind of defence technology company revolutionising the way autonomous systems are deployed across multiple domains. We design, develop, and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems that are software-defined, mass-scalable, and cost-effective - providing operators with a decisive edge in contested environments.
We are focused on delivering deployable, high-performance systems - not future promises. In a time of rising threats, STARK is bolstering the technological edge of NATO Allies and their Partners to deter aggression and defend Europe, today.
About the team
The Operations Excellence team sits within the COO organization and serves as a strategic partner to managers, team leads, and colleagues across Stark. By delivering data-driven insights, leading critical projects, and driving continuous process improvement, we help the organization operate more efficiently, scale effectively, and achieve its goals faster.
As an individual contributor, you will take end-to-end ownership of complex initiatives with significant business impact. Working closely with cross-functional stakeholders, you will have the opportunity to influence key decisions, shape core operating processes, and contribute directly to the success of one of Europe’s fastest-growing unicorns.
Your mission
As OPA Lead, you own the quantitative backbone of operations. You design and run the S&OP process, define the KPI framework, and produce WBR/MBR data packs that give leadership a reliable, accurate picture of the business. You build the planning rhythm from scratch and develop the team beneath you.Responsibilities
Design and lead the S&OP process - demand, supply, inventory, and financial reconciliation
Define and own the KPI framework for operations: what is measured, how, and at what cadence
Build and maintain WBR/MBR data packs - actuals vs. targets, variance analysis, commentary
Partner with the BI/Reporting Analyst to ensure reporting is built on reliable data infrastructure
Translate operational questions into structured analytical frameworks and data products
Recruit, develop, and manage the Planning Analyst and BI/Reporting Analyst
Act as the primary analytical interface between operations and senior leadership
Team Leadership and Development: Provide disciplinary and technical leadership to the Operations Planning & Analytics team, mentoring team members and managing resource allocation to ensure departmental goals are met.
Qualifications
7-10 years in operations planning, supply chain, or FP&A in a manufacturing environment
Has built or redesigned a planning process before - not just maintained one
Track record of delivering management reporting that leadership actually relies on
Advanced Excel and/or SQL for modelling and analysis
S&OP design, KPI definition, and performance management
Stakeholder management and executive communication - clear, honest, and without ego
BSc/MSc in Industrial Engineering, Business, Supply Chain Management, or equivalent
Nice to have
Experience managing or mentoring analysts
Familiarity with Power BI, Tableau, or equivalent BI tools
Exposure to ERP systems in a manufacturing context (SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar)