Commodity Manager - Liquid Nitrogen Cooling System

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.

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.

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.