The RoleVEIR is seeking a Commodity Manager to own sourcing and supplier management for the Liquid Nitrogen (LIN) Cooling System - a technically demanding, cryogenics-driven subsystem with long-lead, often sole-sourced components that are critical to product reliability.
This person will run the sourcing program for the cooling system, focused on reducing long lead times through multi-sourcing strategy, supplier development, and supplier agreements. As part of VEIR's NPI stage-gate process, this role owns key sourcing deliverables at each phase - candidate identification, RFI/RFQ development with Engineering, supplier audits, PPAP quality support, and process validation - to move cooling system suppliers from qualification through production readiness. This role requires close collaboration with Engineering and Quality on supplier qualification - including site audits - as well as cross-functional coordination across Product, Commercial, Project, Finance, Procurement, and Logistics teams.
In the first 3 months you'll- Learn VEIR's LIN cooling system architecture, current supplier base, and known lead time/capacity constraints.
- Build relationships with key cooling system suppliers, including pump, skid, and vessel fabricators.
- Support ongoing supplier development activities aimed at reducing long lead times on critical components, working toward 4-5 commercially viable candidates per critical component.
- Partner with Engineering to support internal RFI development and preliminary RFQs against early (Ph2/Ph3) BOM, drawing, and specification releases.
- Partner with Procurement on AVL status and onboarding documentation for cooling system suppliers.
- Join Engineering and Quality on at least one supplier site visit or technical/quality capability audit to build first-hand supplier knowledge.
In the first 6 months you'll- Own the sourcing strategy and supplier base for the LIN Cooling System commodity, including pumps, skids, vessels, and related cryogenic components.
- Own development of detailed production RFQs following design release, incorporating manufacturing requirements, critical-to-quality (CTQ) specs, and PPAP/qualification requirements, in partnership with Engineering.
- Support Engineering during sample builds and DFM iteration with candidate suppliers, ensuring feedback closes into the design ahead of design lock.
- Partner with Quality to support supplier PPAP submissions (Part Submission Warrant, dimensional reports, process capability, material certifications) as part of production qualification.
- Support process validation / run-at-rate studies to confirm supplier capacity and process capability against forecast.
- Drive multi-sourcing strategy and supplier capacity development to reduce long lead times on critical components, and support second-source qualification for the highest-risk items.
- Identify, evaluate, and qualify fabricators or contract manufacturers to support cooling system components as VEIR scales.
- Lead negotiation of supplier agreements, pricing structures, and commercial terms in partnership with Procurement and Finance.
- Build supplier scorecards and support periodic business reviews as suppliers move into ramp.
- Partner with Logistics on packaging and shipping plans, including any special handling requirements for cooling system components.
- Build a multi-year sourcing roadmap for the LIN Cooling System commodity in support of VEIR's scale-up plans.
To be successful in this roleYou Bring- 5+ years of experience in supply chain, commodity management, or strategic sourcing, ideally within a technical or cryogenics-adjacent environment.
- A technical engineering background; experience in cryogenics preferred.
- Experience setting up or managing fabricators or contract manufacturers preferred.
- Experience developing RFIs and RFQs in partnership with engineering teams, from prototype-level through production-intent sourcing.
- Familiarity with NPI stage-gate processes and PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) is strongly preferred.
- Experience negotiating supplier agreements and multi-sourcing strategies, particularly for long-lead-time components.
- Comfort conducting supplier site audits and working closely with Quality and Engineering to assess manufacturing capability.
- Experience in a hardware, hard tech, or manufacturing environment; startup or scale-up experience is a plus.
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field preferred.
- Willingness to travel for supplier visits, audits, and qualification activities.
You Are- Comfortable owning a technically complex commodity with long lead times and limited supplier options.
- A relationship builder who earns supplier trust while holding a firm line on cost, quality, and delivery.
- Structured and proactive - you build sourcing roadmaps rather than reacting to the next fire.
- A strong cross-functional collaborator across Product, Commercial, Engineering, and Finance.
BENEFITS & PERKSHealthcare coverage with 100% employer paid premiums for medical, dental, and vision
401(k) Retirement Savings Program
12 Company Holidays + unmetered PTO
12 Weeks 100% Paid Parental Leave for all new parents
Stock Options
Employee Assistant Program (EAP)
Regular teambuilding, off-sites, and lunch & learns
