Viavi Solutions

Strategic Commodity Manager

Viavi Solutions$72K — $135K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute sourcing strategies for direct materials in aerospace, defense, and government sectors.
  • Manage strategic supplier relationships and drive performance improvements.
  • Ensure sourcing compliance with aerospace and government regulations.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support production and product launches.
  • Identify and mitigate supply chain risks effectively.
  • Lead cost reduction and value engineering initiatives.
  • Utilize data analytics for informed sourcing decisions and strategic reporting.

Benefits

  • Competitive benefits package including health, life, and disability insurance.
  • Paid time off for work-life balance.
  • 401(k) retirement plan options.
  • Performance-based bonus program.
Full Job Description

Duties & Responsibilities:

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:

  • Microsoft Excel
    • Pivot Tables
    • Power Query
    • XLOOKUP
    • INDEX/MATCH
    • Dashboard development
  • ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, Epicor, etc.)

Pre-Requisites / Skills / Experience Requirements:

If you have what it takes to push boundaries and seize opportunities, apply to join our team today.

 

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.

About Viavi Solutions

Viavi Solutions is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions to communications service providers, enterprises, network equipment manufacturers, civil government, military and avionics customers. The company serves customers worldwide.
Learn more about Viavi Solutions
Size
3,600 employees
Market Cap
$2.3 billion
Industry
Net Income
$30.1 million
Founded
1923
5 Year Trend
+9.9%
Revenue
$1.1 billion
NASDAQ

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