Strategic Commodity Manager

viavisolutions

Santa Rosa (CA)

On-site

USD 110,000 - 150,000

Full time

6 days ago

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Job summary

VIAVI Solutions in Santa Rosa, CA, is seeking a Strategic Sourcing & Commodity Manager for Aerospace & Government Programs. You will develop commodity strategies, manage supplier relationships, and ensure ITAR/EAR compliance across aerospace and defense programs.

Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Finance to support NPI, production, and government contracts while driving cost reductions, risk management, and supplier performance improvements.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field.
7+ years of sourcing, procurement, or commodity management experience.
3+ years supporting aerospace, defense, government, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
Demonstrated experience negotiating strategic supplier agreements.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication and executive presentation abilities.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute commodity strategies that align with business objectives while optimizing cost, quality, delivery, supplier performance, and continuity of supply.
Drive supplier engagement to support technology roadmaps and material innovation.
Establish and manage strategic supplier partnerships through supplier selection, qualification, contract negotiations, performance management.
Support sourcing activities for aerospace, defense, and government programs while ensuring compliance with ITAR, EAR, FAR, DFARS, and AS9100.
Partner with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Manufacturing, Program Management, Planning, and Contracts to support production, new product introductions, and changes.
Identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks related to supplier capacity, financial stability, geopolitical events, sole-source exposure, and continuity.
Lead cost reduction, cost avoidance, and VA/VE initiatives while maintaining product quality and compliance.
Source precision optical components and advanced materials while collaborating with Engineering on fabrication methods and metrology.
Partner with Engineering, Quality, and key suppliers to support new product development, supplier qualification, prototype builds, and production readiness.
Analyze supplier performance, spend, market trends, and commodity risks to support data-driven sourcing decisions.
Manage multiple sourcing initiatives and strategic projects with changing priorities.

Skills

Sourcing experience

Strategic negotiation

Supplier management

Data-driven decisions

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain or related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

SAP

Oracle

Epicor

Job description

Summary

VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace, and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications.

We are the people behind the products that help keep the world connected at home, school, work, at play, and everywhere in between. VIAVI employees are passionate about supporting customer success and we welcome people who bring their best every day to the company - to question, to collaborate and to push for solutions that will delight our customers.

The Strategic Commodity Manager - Aerospace & Government Programs is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for direct materials supporting aerospace, defense, government, and commercial programs. This position manages strategic supplier relationships, negotiates long‑term agreements, mitigates supply chain risk, and ensures continuity of supply while meeting cost, quality, delivery, and compliance objectives. The role works closely with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Program Management, Manufacturing, Contracts, and Finance to support new product introductions, production requirements, and government contract obligations.

Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Commodity Management

Develop and execute commodity strategies that align with business objectives while optimizing cost, quality, delivery, supplier performance, and continuity of supply. Drive supplier engagement to support technology roadmaps and material innovation

Supplier Relationship Management

Establish and manage strategic supplier partnerships through supplier selection, qualification, contract negotiations, performance management, drive supplier corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.

Government & Aerospace Compliance

Support sourcing activities for aerospace, defense, and government programs while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and customer requirements, including ITAR, EAR, FAR, DFARS, and AS9100.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Manufacturing, Program Management, Planning, and Contracts to support production, new product introductions (NPI), engineering changes, and business objectives.

Supply Chain Risk Management

Identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks related to supplier capacity, financial stability, geopolitical events, sole-source exposure, and business continuity through proactive sourcing strategies.

Cost Reduction & Value Engineering

Lead cost reduction, cost avoidance, and Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE) initiatives while maintaining product quality, regulatory compliance, and supply continuity.

Technical Sourcing

Source precision optical components and advanced materials while collaborating with Engineering and suppliers on optical fabrication methods, metrology, and optical test & measurement processes to support product quality and manufacturability.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

Partner with Engineering, Quality, and key suppliers to support new product development, supplier qualification, prototype builds, production readiness, and successful product launches.

Data Analytics & Business Reporting

Analyze supplier performance, spend, market trends, and commodity risks to support data-driven sourcing decisions. Prepare and present supplier performance, cost savings, and strategic sourcing recommendations to senior leadership.

Project Management

Manage multiple sourcing initiatives and strategic projects simultaneously while effectively balancing changing business priorities, customer requirements, and production demands.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field.
7+ years of sourcing, procurement, or commodity management experience.
3+ years supporting aerospace, defense, government, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
Demonstrated experience negotiating strategic supplier agreements.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication and executive presentation abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

CPSM, CPIM, CSCP, or CPM certification.
Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
Knowledge of semiconductor, optics, precision machining, electronics, or engineered materials.

Technical Skills

Advanced proficiency with: