Strategic Commodity Manager

VIAVI Solutions Inc.; Santa Rosa, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 73,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Paid time off

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Bonus program

Job summary

VIAVI Solutions Inc. in Santa Rosa, CA, is seeking a Strategic Commodity Manager to develop and execute sourcing strategies for direct materials across aerospace, defense, and government programs.

This role partners with Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Finance to drive cost reduction, supplier performance, risk mitigation, and supply continuity in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a related field.
• 5+ years of purchasing, sourcing, procurement, or commodity management.
• Experience negotiating price, delivery, and terms with suppliers.
• Experience sourcing direct materials in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work with Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Planning.
• Proficiency with Excel and ERP/MRP systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for cost, quality, delivery, and supplier continuity.
• Lead RFQs, supplier evaluations, sourcing decisions, and negotiations.
• Identify and qualify new suppliers to boost competitiveness and resilience.
• Support long-term supplier agreements and partnerships.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Identify and mitigate supply risks, including ITAR/EAR considerations.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Quality on NPI and production readiness.

Skills

Bachelor's degree

5+ years experience

Negotiation

Sourcing direct materials

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Excel & ERP/MRP

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field

Tools

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.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Strategic Commodity Manager is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for direct materials supporting VIAVI's commercial, aerospace, defense, and government programs. This position manages key supplier relationships, leads sourcing and negotiation activities, identifies cost-reduction opportunities, mitigates supply chain risk, and helps ensure continuity of supply while meeting cost, quality, delivery, and compliance objectives. The role works closely with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Manufacturing, Planning, Program Management, Contracts, Finance, and other cross-functional teams. We are looking for an experienced sourcing professional with strong supplier-management and negotiation skills who is comfortable working in a technical manufacturing environment. Experience in optics, aerospace, or government programs is beneficial but not required. VIAVI will provide training in our products, materials, supplier base, and applicable industry requirements.

Strategic Sourcing & Commodity Management

• Develop and execute sourcing and commodity strategies supporting cost, quality, delivery, supplier performance, and continuity of supply.
• Lead RFQs, supplier evaluations, sourcing decisions, and negotiations.
• Identify and qualify new suppliers to improve competitiveness and supply resilience.
• Support long-term supplier agreements and strategic partnerships.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships.
• Monitor supplier performance related to cost, quality, delivery, capacity, and responsiveness.
• Partner with suppliers and internal teams to resolve performance issues and drive continuous improvement.

Supply Chain Risk Management

• Identify and mitigate supplier capacity, financial, geopolitical, sole‑source, and continuity‑of‑supply risks.
• Develop alternate‑source and business‑continuity strategies for critical materials and components.

Cost Management

• Lead cost‑reduction and cost‑avoidance initiatives.
• Support value‑analysis and value‑engineering opportunities.
• Analyze supplier pricing, market conditions, and total cost of ownership to support sourcing decisions.

Technical Sourcing

• Source technical components and engineered materials while partnering with Engineering, Quality, and suppliers to understand specifications, manufacturing processes, quality requirements, and supplier capabilities.
• Experience sourcing optical, semiconductor, electronic, machined, or other engineered components is beneficial but not required.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Support Engineering, Quality, Operations, and suppliers during new product development, prototype builds, supplier qualification, and production readiness.

Aerospace & Government Programs

• Support sourcing activities associated with aerospace, defense, and government programs.
• Learn and apply applicable supplier and sourcing requirements, including ITAR, EAR, FAR, DFARS, AS9100, and customer‑specific requirements.

Data Analytics & Business Reporting

• Analyze supplier performance, spend, cost trends, and supply‑chain risks.
• Track cost savings and sourcing initiatives.
• Communicate supplier performance, sourcing recommendations, risks, and project status to management.

Project Management

• Manage multiple sourcing projects and priorities in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
• Work cross‑functionally to resolve supply issues and support changing business requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 5+ years of experience in purchasing, sourcing, procurement, supply chain, or commodity management.
• Demonstrated experience working with suppliers and negotiating price, delivery, commercial terms, or supply agreements.
• Experience sourcing direct materials, components, or services in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Planning, and other cross‑functional teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and experience using ERP/MRP systems.

Pre‑Requisites / Skills / Experience Requirements:

• Preferred Qualifications Experience in aerospace, defense, government, semiconductor, optics, electronics, medical device, precision machining, automotive, or another technical manufacturing environment.
• Experience with strategic sourcing or commodity‑management responsibilities.
• Experience with supplier performance management and cost‑reduction initiatives.
• Knowledge of ITAR, EAR, FAR, DFARS, AS9100, or other regulated‑manufacturing requirements.
• Experience with SAP, Oracle, Epicor, or similar ERP/MRP systems.CPSM, CPIM, CSCP, CPM, or similar certification.

VIAVI Solutions is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer – minorities/females/veterans/persons with disabilities.

ITAR: This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. Persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. Person as a U.S. Citizen or National, U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylee, Refugee, or Temporary Resident granted amnesty.

Job Posting Pay Range: 72,800 to 135,200 Exceptional qualifications, experience and location may impact salary.

• VIAVI offers a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off, health, life and disability insurance, 401(k), and a bonus program.

VIAVI empowers Service Providers and IT organizations to manage the network lifecycle for complex 5G and Fiber networks with intuitive instruments, systems and technologies; and our expertise in light management and optical coatings help protect the world's bank notes from counterfeiters, enhance the colors you see, and enable advanced technology such as 3D sensing. We are a team of thought leaders who have the freedom to support and innovate and look for new effective and efficient solutions for our customers.