Commodity Manager - Liquid Nitrogen Cooling System

Job description

**WHY VEIR?** Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts, VEIR is a U.S.-based designer and manufacturer of category-defining superconducting power delivery systems built for the extreme energy demands of the AI era. By commercializing next-generation superconducting technology into deployable, real-world systems, VEIR delivers ~10× higher power density than conventional options, enabling “speed-to-power” where incremental optimization falls short. VEIR’s initial focus is AI data centers behind the meter, with solutions engineered for repeatable deployment through reference designs and integrated controls, designed to incorporate learnings as deployments scale. **The Role** VEIR 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 role** **You 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. VEIR is committed to equal pay for equal work in its compensation practices. The base salary range for this position in the U.S. is $110,000 - $140,000 per year + equity + benefits. A candidate's salary is determined by various factors including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications, job level, supervisory status, and location. **BENEFITS & PERKS** Healthcare 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 **EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:** We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, and any other protected ground of discrimination under applicable human rights legislation. We strive to respect the dignity and ‎‎independence of people with disabilities and are committed to giving them the same ‎‎opportunity to succeed as all other employees. To all recruitment agencies: VEIR does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, VEIR employees, or any other organization location. VEIR is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.