Commodity Manager - Terminations

The Role

VEIR is seeking a Commodity Manager to own the Terminations commodity - one of VEIR's most technically complex, electro-mechanical subsystems. This role will lead the contract manufacturing (CM) sourcing program for terminations, identifying and qualifying partners capable of supporting VEIR from early prototype builds through volume production.

In parallel, this person will manage VEIR's key suppliers for specialty termination components, driving lead time reduction, multi-sourcing strategy, and supplier agreements.

As part of VEIR's NPI stage-gate process, this role owns key sourcing deliverables at each phase - candidate identification, RFI/RFQ development with Engineering, supplier audits, PPAP quality support, and process validation - to move terminations suppliers from qualification through production readiness.

Success in this role requires a blend of technical fluency in mechanical/electro-mechanical assemblies, hands-on supplier relationship management - including site audits alongside Quality and Engineering - and the ability to operate cross-functionally across Product, Commercial, Project, Engineering, and Finance teams.

In the first 3 months you'll

• Learn VEIR's termination subsystem, current supplier base, and existing CM sourcing strategy.
• Begin building relationships with key termination component suppliers and understand current lead time and quality challenges.
• Support ongoing CM sourcing evaluation activities, including outreach, screening, and qualification of candidate contract manufacturers, working toward 4-5 commercially viable candidates per critical component.
• Partner with Engineering to support internal RFI development and preliminary RFQs against early (Ph2/Ph3) BOM, CAD, and drawing releases.
• Partner with Procurement on AVL status and onboarding documentation for termination suppliers.
• Join Engineering and Quality on at least one supplier site visit or technical/quality capability audit to build first-hand supplier knowledge.

In the first 6 months you'll

• Own the CM sourcing program for Terminations, driving qualification of partners capable of scaling from prototype to volume builds.
• Own development of detailed production RFQs following design release, incorporating manufacturing requirements, critical-to-quality (CTQ) specs, and PPAP/qualification requirements, in partnership with Engineering.
• Support Engineering during sample builds and DFM iteration with candidate suppliers, ensuring feedback closes into the design ahead of design lock.
• Partner with Quality to support supplier PPAP submissions (Part Submission Warrant, dimensional reports, process capability, material certifications) as part of production qualification.
• Support process validation / run-at-rate studies to confirm supplier capacity and process capability against forecast.
• Lead negotiation of supplier agreements, pricing structures, and commercial terms in partnership with Procurement and Finance.
• Drive multi-sourcing initiatives to reduce single-source risk on specialty termination components, and support second-source qualification for the highest-risk items.
• Build supplier scorecards and support periodic business reviews as suppliers move into ramp.
• Partner with Logistics on packaging and shipping plans for termination components and assemblies.
• Build a multi-year sourcing roadmap for the Terminations commodity in support of VEIR's scale-up plans.

You Bring

• 5+ years of experience in supply chain, commodity management, or strategic sourcing, with direct experience managing contract manufacturers.
• A technical engineering background; mechanical engineering preferred.
• Demonstrated experience setting up and managing contract manufacturers for electro-mechanical assemblies.
• Experience developing RFIs and RFQs in partnership with engineering teams, from prototype-level through production-intent sourcing.
• Familiarity with NPI stage-gate processes and PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) is strongly preferred.
• Experience negotiating supplier agreements, commercial terms, and multi-sourcing strategies.
• Comfort conducting supplier site audits and working closely with Quality and Engineering to assess manufacturing capability.
• Experience in a hardware, hard tech, or manufacturing environment; startup or scale-up experience is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field preferred.
• Willingness to travel for supplier visits, audits, and CM qualification activities.

You Are

• A relationship builder who earns supplier trust while holding a firm line on cost, quality, and delivery.
• Comfortable moving fluidly between technical conversations with Engineering and commercial negotiations with suppliers.
• Structured and proactive - you build sourcing roadmaps rather than reacting to the next fire.
• A strong cross-functional collaborator across Product, Commercial, Engineering, and Finance.

Pay and benefits

VEIR is committed to equal pay for equal work in its compensation practices. The base salary range for this position in the U.S. is $110,000 - $140,000 per year + equity + benefits. A candidate's salary is determined by various factors including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications, job level, supervisory status, and location.

Benefits & Perks

Healthcare coverage with 100% employer paid premiums for medical, dental, and vision

• 401(k) Retirement Savings Program
• 12 Company Holidays + unmetered PTO
• 12 Weeks 100% Paid Parental Leave for all new parents
• Stock Options
• Employee Assistant Program (EAP)
• Regular teambuilding, off-sites, and lunch & learns