Firefly's Commodity Manager for Avionics and EEE Parts is a supply chain leader responsible for defining and driving the category strategy across two distinct commodities:
- Avionics 3 flight and ground avionics assemblies, boards, and related subsystems.
- EEE Parts 3 Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical parts
This role holds responsibility and management over both commodities. You will study market and technology trends to anticipate and solve supply chain problems, continually seek new opportunities for innovation, and set the strategic direction that enables the acquisition of quality, cost-effective components across both the Avionics and EEE Parts portfolios.
This role directly supports Firefly's aerospace programs by ensuring a cost-effective, reliable, and continuous supply of critical Avionics and EEE Parts, enabling safe and repeatable spaceflight. As both a strategic planner and a cross-functional leader, the Commodity Manager balances technical, commercial, and programmatic priorities while driving innovation and efficiency across the supply chain.
This is a strategy-first leadership role. Success requires close collaboration across Program, Finance, Engineering, Quality, Production, and other functions, with an integrative approach to analyzing tradeoffs and managing competing priorities.
Core Responsibilities Strategy Leadership (Primary Focus) - Own and drive the commodity strategy for both Avionics and EEE Parts, including category strategy, grow/exit/maintain supplier strategies, and the framework for long-term strategic agreements.
- Lead strategic market analysis and stay informed of industry trends, technology roadmaps, and best practices across both commodity groups.
- Define supplier selection criteria, negotiation strategy, and sourcing direction for each commodity, partnering with Planning and Procurement to translate strategy into execution.
- Develop and implement supplier engagement and supply base growth strategies aligned to company objectives across both commodities.
Supply Base Development & Supplier Management - Lead the evaluation and development of the Avionics and EEE Parts supply bases to support space vehicle development and production.
- Manage global supplier performance, relationships, and risk across both commodities; assess financial health, technical capability, quality, and delivery; develop category- and supplier-specific mitigation strategies.
- Facilitate regular business reviews with key suppliers to discuss performance metrics, future opportunities, and challenges.
- Support supplier integration into Firefly's systems and processes.
- Organize and participate in supplier workshops, conferences, and events to foster relationships and continuous learning.
Sourcing & Procurement Execution - Partner with Planning and Procurement to bring commodity strategies to execution through coordinated sourcing and transactional activities (RFx, PRs, POs).
- Provide negotiation strategy and support for long-term price agreements and favorable contract terms; directly lead negotiations for select strategic agreements when appropriate.
- Step in to issue RFx, PRs, and POs as needed to support the wider Supply Chain team during peak demand, gaps, or critical needs.
- Rationalize and consolidate the supply base across both commodities in coordination with Planning and Procurement.
Market Intelligence - Monitor and analyze global market conditions, capacity constraints, lead times, and long-term business risks across both commodities; provide periodic industry updates to stakeholders.
Program & Cross-Functional Support - Work with program stakeholders to identify long-lead procurement needs, gaps in supplier capabilities, and ensure continuity of supply for both Avionics and EEE Parts.
- Drive schedule recovery and corrective action in support of program and production goals.
- Partner with Program, Finance, Engineering, Quality, Production, M&P, and R&D to align supply strategies with business objectives and ensure specifications and quality requirements are met.
Cost & Quality Optimization - Drive total cost of ownership (TCO) savings across both commodity groups.
- Ensure compliance with contract terms and quality requirements, and support innovation in supplier capabilities.
People Leadership - Manage assigned staff to meet team KPIs and accomplish company goals.
- Mentor and provide guidance to direct and indirect reports.
Required Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field.
- Minimum 10 years of experience in procurement, supply chain management, or a similar role, with a focus on supplier/commodity management 3 including experience managing Avionics and/or EEE Parts commodities in aerospace R&D and manufacturing or other regulatory-controlled environments.
- Deep knowledge and history of procurement across Avionics and EEE Parts, including electrical, electronic, and electromechanical components (e.g., ICs, passives, connectors, relays, PCBAs, wiring harnesses, and electromechanical devices).
- Extensive technical knowledge of the assigned commodities' manufacturing processes and industry standards (e.g., AS9100).
- Proven track record of managing suppliers and driving improvements in cost, quality, delivery, and other performance criteria.
- Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
- Strong analytical skills 3 ability to conduct market analysis, evaluate supplier suitability, and model supply chain risks.
- Experience sourcing for both development and production.
- Strong affinity for networking and building lasting relationships with partners/suppliers.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work cross-functionally and independently.
- Exceptional organizational skills and a proven ability to drive complex projects with minimal oversight and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Knowledge of procurement software and tools.
- Proficiency with MS Office (Excel, Word & Outlook).
- Ability to travel 25%3 50% of the time, including to remote sites.
Desired Qualifications - Master's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field.
- Engineering background or strong technical experience in one or both assigned commodities.
- CPM, CSCP certification or equivalent.
- Odoo ERP/MRP knowledge.
- ITAR experience.
- Experience with AS9100 / ISO9001 supply base requirements.
- Experience with FAR/DFAR requirements.
- Experience with commercial programs and contracts.
- Aerospace industry experience as an OEM, supplier, contractor, or sub-contractor.
- Experience in an R&D-focused environment; prototyping and test environment a plus.
