Commodity Manager (Spector)

Veeco Instruments Inc.; New Jersey; On-site; USD 98,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Veeco is seeking a strategic Category Manager to transform how we source technologies and manufacturing capabilities behind our advanced equipment. The role spans global category strategy, supplier networks, and commercial agreements to improve cost, quality, and supply resilience.

You will partner with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Planning, Finance, and Supply Chain leadership to translate requirements into roadmaps, manage supplier performance, negotiate terms, and drive value across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related field required.
• 8+ years in category management, strategic sourcing, procurement, or supplier management.
• Experience in OEM or build-to-print manufacturing supplier management and lifecycle planning.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Own global category strategies, roadmaps, and supplier segmentation with accountability for results.
• Analyze markets, cost drivers, lead times, and supplier trends to guide sourcing.
• Lead RFIs, RFQs, bids, and supplier transitions through implementation.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and total cost of ownership.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Planning, and Finance to optimize requirements.
• Develop and strengthen global supplier network via performance reviews and corrective actions.

Skills

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Supplier management

Analytical skills

Executive communication

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor’s degree (Business/Engineering/related)

MBA (preferred)

Tools

ERP systems

Spend analytics tools

Cost modeling tools

Excel (advanced)

Data visualization tools

Job description

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About Veeco

You probably don’t realize it, but what we do at Veeco touches the lives of every person, every day. It’s a bold statement, but it’s true. From the smartphones in our pockets that access the world’s collective knowledge, to the cloud-based services where all that information lives, to high-speed wireless communication and computing power needed to drive artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, gaming and so much more, our technology is all around us.

We design, develop, manufacture, and service highly complex, cutting-edge machines used by our customers to create the essential devices that drive the digital age, connect the world, and improve the human experience. Along with the world’s leading technology companies, many of which are household names, we help solve their most difficult material science challenges, enabling technologies for a more connected, sustainable, and convenient world.

We’re looking for material difference-makers to join our growing team. Interested? Learn more at www.veeco.com/careers .

OVERVIEW

Veeco is seeking a strategic Category Manager to transform how we source the technologies, components, and manufacturing capabilities behind our advanced equipment. Depending on the candidate’s expertise and business needs, this high-impact role may support either OEM commercial off-the-shelf products or build-to-print custom manufacturing suppliers. We are looking for a candidate with deep strength in either supplier category who can shape global sourcing strategies, strengthen supply resilience, and deliver measurable business value.

The Category Manager will convert business and technical requirements into actionable category roadmaps, resilient supplier strategies, and commercial agreements that deliver measurable improvements in cost, quality, delivery, capacity, innovation, and supply continuity. This role serves as a strategic partner to Engineering, Operations, Quality, Planning, Finance, and Supply Chain leadership, using market intelligence and sound judgment to influence decisions and strengthen Veeco's global supply network.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Category Strategy and Market Intelligence

• Own and drive global category strategies, multi-year roadmaps, sourcing plans, and supplier segmentation for assigned direct-material or equipment categories, with accountability for business results.
• Analyze global markets, technologies, cost drivers, capacity, lead times, geopolitical exposure, and supplier trends to guide sourcing decisions.
• Build category plans that align product roadmaps and production requirements with cost objectives and long‑term supply resilience.

Supplier Model and Supply Base Management

• Lead supplier strategies for an assigned category aligned with the candidate’s expertise and business needs, supporting either OEM commercial off-the-shelf products or build-to-print custom manufacturing.
• OEM commercial off-the-shelf: Manage OEM and authorized-channel relationships; evaluate technology and product roadmaps, pricing, availability, lead times, allocation, warranty, service, and total cost of ownership; and lead lifecycle, end-of-life, obsolescence, and supply‑continuity planning.
• Build-to-print custom manufacturing: Translate drawings, specifications, bills of materials, and quality requirements into sourcing and supplier‑execution plans; assess manufacturability, process capability, tooling, capacity, cost drivers, and production readiness; and coordinate qualification, first‑article approval, revision control, and engineering changes.
• Develop, qualify, rationalize, and strengthen the applicable global supplier network through performance data, business reviews, corrective actions, improvement plans, and supplier development.

Strategic Sourcing and Commercial Leadership

• Lead RFIs, RFQs, competitive bids, supplier selections, and sourcing transitions from requirements definition through implementation.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, capacity commitments, payment terms, intellectual property protections, warranties, service levels, and other complex commercial terms.
• Apply should‑cost, cost‑modeling, market, and financial analysis to deliver savings, cost avoidance, and value‑improvement opportunities.

Cross‑Functional Execution and Supplier Performance

• Partner with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Planning, and Finance to optimize technical requirements, manufacturability, cost, quality, delivery, and risk.
• Establish clear supplier expectations and drive measurable improvements in cost, quality, delivery, responsiveness, and capacity, including corrective action and executive escalation when required.
• Coordinate sourcing decisions, supplier readiness, and continuity plans for production changes, engineering revisions, demand shifts, and product lifecycle events.

Risk Management and Executive Communication

• Anticipate and mitigate single‑source exposure, capacity constraints, obsolescence, supplier financial risk, geopolitical disruption, and extended lead times.
• Develop alternate‑source, inventory, capacity, and recovery strategies with cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Deliver compelling, data‑driven category strategies, risk assessments, tradeoffs, and recommendations to leadership, influencing timely decisions without direct authority.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• At least 8 years of relevant category management, strategic sourcing, procurement, supplier management, or supply chain experience in complex manufacturing, technology, or capital equipment.
• OEM commercial off-the-shelf: At leaset 3 to 5 years managing OEM or authorized‑channel suppliers, with measurable results in lifecycle or obsolescence planning, negotiations, supply continuity, cost, or lead time.
• Build-to-print custom manufacturing: At leaset 3 to 5 years managing suppliers of engineered components or assemblies, with measurable results in technical compliance, supplier qualification, production readiness, change control, cost, quality, delivery, or yield.
• Demonstrated success leading global sourcing initiatives, supplier selection, complex negotiations, commercial agreements, and supplier performance improvement across cost, quality, delivery, capacity, and risk.
• Ability to translate technical and business requirements into sourcing decisions in partnership with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Planning, and Finance.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally based on business and supplier needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or relevant advanced degree.
• Semiconductor capital equipment experience sourcing engineered components, subsystems, electronics, precision parts, or contract manufacturing.
• Familiarity with ERP, spend analytics, cost modeling, supplier scorecards, and advanced Excel or data‑visualization tools.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Core capabilities: Advanced category management, strategic sourcing, negotiation, contracting, supplier development, and total‑cost-of‑ownership expertise.
• OEM commercial off-the-shelf supplier expertise: Knowledge of product and technology roadmaps, lifecycle status, end‑of‑life and obsolescence risk, authorized distribution channels, warranty and service models, availability, lead times, and total cost of ownership. Ability to assess supplier market position, negotiate commercial and supply‑continuity terms, and align sourcing strategies with product roadmaps and demand requirements.
• Build-to-print custom manufacturing supplier expertise: Knowledge of engineering drawings, specifications, bills of materials, revision control, manufacturing processes, tooling, capacity, quality requirements, and change management. Ability to evaluate supplier technical capability, manufacturability, process controls, cost drivers, production readiness, and performance for precision custom components and assemblies.
• Analytical and commercial judgment: Ability to evaluate cost, capacity, quality, technical, and financial tradeoffs and translate findings into clear sourcing recommendations.
• Influence and communication: Executive-level communication skills and the ability to influence technical teams, business partners, suppliers and leadership through clear, data‑driven recommendations.
• Execution and accountability: Ownership, sound decision‑making in ambiguity, and consistent follow‑through on complex global initiatives.
• Global prioritization: Ability to manage multiple priorities across regions, suppliers, and stakeholder groups while maintaining urgency and attention to detail.

Salary and Benefits

The expected salary range for this position is $98,292—$124,503, plus a bonus opportunity. We will consider your location, experience, and other job‑related factors when determining your pay.

Other benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Holiday, Vacation, and Sick Time
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Life and Accident Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Identity Theft Remediation
• Emergency Travel Assistance

Veeco is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected characteristics. Veeco is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.