Technical Manager Commodity

Blue Origin LLC; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Stock options

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC seeks a Technical Commodity Manager to own end-to-end supplier lifecycle, from bid packages to contract execution, embedded with engineering and manufacturing teams. You will drive dual-sourcing, supplier readiness, and cost-down initiatives in a fast-paced, high-rate production environment.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, conduct source selections, and develop dual/tri-source strategies while reporting program risk and progress to executives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 5+ years or Master's with 3+ years in supply chain, engineering, or program management in manufacturing environments.
• Experience leading NPIs or development programs from design through high-rate production at scale.
• Strong understanding of supplier readiness, PPAP, and run-at-rate validation.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end supplier lifecycle from bid packages to contract execution.
• Lead competitive source selection events and onboard new suppliers.
• Drive supplier readiness with PPAP, capability studies, and capacity validation.
• Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams to support sourcing strategies.
• Provide status, risk, and mitigation reporting to program leadership.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Negotiation

Data-driven decision making

Supplier management

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

MRP/ERP systems

Job description

Application close date:Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!This role is part of Blue Origin Operations, which is comprised of Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance. This includes Manufacturing and Supply Chain support across all Blue Origin facilities.The Technical Commodity Manager will be embedded directly with engineering and manufacturing teams, participating in design reviews, trade studies, and production planning from the earliest stages. You will own the end-to-end supplier lifecycle: building bid packages, running competitive source selection events, qualifying new suppliers, negotiating contracts, and driving supplier readiness through PPAP, capability studies, and run-at-rate validation. You will work in a fast-paced, high-rate production environment with a focus on cost-down, dual-sourcing, and cycle time compression.This role is ideal for someone who thrives in ambiguity, moves fast with incomplete information, embraces technology and automation, and is comfortable building processes from scratch. You will work with a diverse global supply base—many new to the organization—and must be skilled at onboarding and developing suppliers to meet high-rate production demands.Special MentionsTravel expected up to 25% of the time for supplier visits, audits, source selection events, and on-site problem-solving.Relocation providedResponsibilities include but are not limited to:Sourcing & Supplier ManagementBuild comprehensive bid packages with technical requirements, commercial terms, and evaluation criteria in collaboration with Supply Chain Engineers and Commodity ManagersLead competitive source selection eventsQualify and onboard new suppliers, including facility assessments, capability validation, and contract executionDrive supplier readiness through PPAP, tooling acceptance, Control Plans, capability studies (Cp/Cpk), and run-at-rate validation to prove suppliers can meet high-rate production demandsValidate supplier capacity to scale from low-rate initial production through high-rate steady-state, ensuring adequate tooling, equipment, shifts, and process capabilityDevelop and execute dual/tri-source strategies to mitigate risk and drive cost competitionConduct make/buy/where trade studies in partnership with engineering and manufacturing to support vertical integration decisionsNegotiate contracts, pricing, terms, and remedies with suppliers; manage long-term agreements (LTAs/MSAs) with indexed pricing and capacity commitmentsCross-Functional Collaboration & ReportingEmbed with assigned technical programsPartner with Supply Chain Engineers on technical readiness and Commodity Managers on commercial strategyProvide detailed status, risk, and mitigation reporting to program leadership and executive stakeholdersUse data and dashboards (auto-generated by AI agents) to identify trends, predict delays, and drive corrective actionAI-First Operating ModelDefine requirements for AI-driven procurement automation: bid package generation, supplier risk screening, PO/ASN reconciliation, and predictive analyticsSupervise automated processes with human-in-the-loop approvals; focus time on strategic decisions and exceptionsContinuously improve templates, workflows, and automation to compress cycle time and eliminate manual workREQUIRED QUALIFICATIONSBachelor's degree with 5+ years OR Master's degree with 3+ years of supply chain, engineering, or program management experience in manufacturing environmentsProven track record of managing NPI (New Product Introduction) or development programs from design through high-rate production at scaleExperience with First Article Inspection, supplier capability studies, and production readiness validation including run-at-rate assessmentsUnderstanding of high-rate production requirements: takt time, line balancing, capacity validation, and supplier scalability from low-rate to high-rateExperience building and executing sourcing strategies: competitive events, dual-sourcing, make/buy trades, and total cost analysisExcellent cross-functional collaboration skills; able to embed with engineering and manufacturing teams and influenceSuperior communication skills—able to distill complex supply chain issues into clear executive summaries and recommendationsStrong analytical and quantitative skills; experience with BOMs, MRP/ERP systems, material estimating, cost modeling, and supply chain metricsComfort with digital tools, supplier portals, EDI/TMS, and data-driven decision-making; enthusiasm for AI/automation adoptionSelf-starter who can define scalable processes, build templates, and operate effectively in a startup-like environmentWillingness to travel (up to 25%) for supplier visits, audits, and on-site problem-solvingDESIRED QUALIFICATIONSExperience in high-rate manufacturing environments with takt-driven planning, JIT principles, and production ratesExperience onboarding and developing new suppliers, including international/global sourcing across multiple regionsLean Six Sigma training (Green Belt or higher) or equivalent continuous improvement experienceExperience with cost-down strategies: should-cost modeling, learning curves, indexed pricing, and competitive re-bidsExperience working with diverse commodity types: castings/forgings, machined parts, assemblies, electronics, raw materials, and special processes (welding, heat treat, coatings, NDT)Background in supplier development, capacity planning, and capital investment in supplier baseFamiliarity with export control requirements and global supply chain complianceBase Pay Range for:WA applicants is $112,059.00 - $156,882.60Other site ranges may differCulture StatementDon’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.Export Control RegulationsApplicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.Background CheckRequired for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background CheckRequired for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installationRequired for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physicalBenefitsBenefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.Equal Employment OpportunityBlue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws.Affirmative Action and Disability AccommodationApplicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail] . Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.