7 October 2025
The added value of a resident engineer – the future of strategic outsourcing
Leon van Oeffel starts his day before the sun rises, walking the production floor of a high-tech manufacturing site with a coffee in hand. He’s greeted by engineers and technicians not as a visiting supplier, but as one of their own. Leon is a Resident Engineer from MAG45, embedded on-site full-time. He’s no ordinary supplier rep; he’s a hands-on problem solver who bridges the gap between the factory’s immediate needs and MAG45’s global supply chain solutions.
In his role, Leon is the spider in the web of different needs. Engineers come to him with technical challenges and design improvements. Procurement looks to him for cost-effective sourcing. Logistics depends on him to keep flows running smoothly and on time. Each group has its own priorities – quality, cost, speed – and Leon balances them daily. In this article, we share some of his work to shine a light on the added value of resident engineering in the future of the supply chain.
“The engineer wants the best solution, procurement wants it cheaper, and logistics wants it faster. My job is to bring those worlds together and make sure the result works for everyone.”
– Leon van Oeffel, Resident Engineer at MAG45
From sketch to solution: a kit born on a napkin
One morning, a maintenance engineer scribbled a rough idea on a napkin – a sketch of multiple items that could make a recurring assembly job way easier. He showed it to Leon, who immediately recognized its potential. Within weeks, Leon translated that hand-drawn doodle into a tangible concept: sourcing dozens of small parts and working with MAG45’s kitting team to create a pre-packed kit tailored exactly to the engineer’s request.
What began as a pencil sketch on a napkin became a neatly labeled box of components delivered straight to the assembly line. Technicians no longer scramble for parts; everything they need arrives in one package – streamlining the task, reducing errors, and saving valuable time. Without Leon, the engineer’s idea on that napkin would probably have ended up on a shelf collecting dust.
Intrigued whether a resident engineer could help you on site?
Quality over cost: the O-ring that raised the bar
In another instance, an O-ring became a nuisance for engineers. Nearly five out of six failed to seal correctly, forcing repeated adjustments in a critical piece of equipment. The result wasn’t total downtime, but wasted hours, frustration, and inconsistent output.
Drawing on his engineering background, Leon researched alternative materials and sourced a premium O-ring that could withstand more pressure and heat. He went from a €0.10 O-ring to one costing €5.50 – 55 times more expensive. Procurement wasn’t happy, but Leon saw the bigger picture: smoother builds, less scrap, lower TCO.
“The cheapest part isn’t always the most cost-effective. By investing in a better O-ring, we cut rework and boosted output. In the end, that saved far more than it cost.”
– Leon van Oeffel, Resident Engineer with MAG45, working on-site at a leading med-tech manufacturer
Bridging engineering, logistics, and procurement
On a typical day, Leon wears many hats. He might troubleshoot a mechanical issue with a design engineer, arrange an express shipment, or reorganize warehouse bins for easier access. His presence on-site means he’s the go-to person for just about anything supply-related. Colleagues know they can knock on his door (or find him on the factory floor) and get immediate action – whether it’s a creative workaround or a long-term fix.
Because Leon is backed by MAG45’s vast network and resources, solutions come quickly. As MAG45’s own case studies note, on-site experts help resolve issues – from compliance documentation to urgent part qualifications – with speed and confidence. Leon is essentially the friendly face of a global integrated supply chain, right there in the trenches with the client’s team.
“Being on-site means I can be proactive rather than just reactive. Backed by MAG45’s network and capabilities, I can turn every challenge into a solution.”
– Leon van Oeffel, Resident Engineer with MAG45, working on-site at a leading med-tech manufacturer
Conclusion: resident engineering and the future of outsourcing
Leon van Oeffel’s impact illustrates why resident engineering is becoming central to strategic outsourcing in tail supply management. By embedding an expert on-site, MAG45 turns an outsourced service into a seamless extension of the client’s operations.
Put simply, the resident engineer model combines the breadth of a global supplier (with access to countless parts, suppliers, and expertise) with the depth of on-site involvement, ensuring nothing gets lost in translation. For the client, this means fewer production surprises, faster problem-solving, and a partner who is already one step ahead.
As MAG45’s integrated approach shows, when done right, this kind of partnership results in something every manufacturer covets – complete peace of mind knowing their supply challenges are handled, on-site and hands-on.
Curious how a resident engineer would work for you?
Leon van Oeffel
Resident Engineer at MAG45
Leon van Oeffel is Resident Engineer at MAG45, working on-site with leading med-tech and high-tech manufacturers. He joined the company in 2008 and brings extensive experience and deep expertise in supply chain, procurement, and technical support, combined with a strong hands-on mentality. Leon holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and also serves as a reservist in the Dutch Army.