Job Description

Commodity Manager

Senior Buyer

JOB DESCRIPTION

Company: Autonomous Power Corporation (Powerus)

Employment type: Full-time

About Powerus

Powerus is building a next-generation American autonomous systems platform for defense, national security, critical infrastructure and commercial operations. We bring together engineering, autonomy and advanced manufacturing to develop reliable systems and scale their delivery to customers.

Our Mission

Deliver resilient autonomous technologies that strengthen national security, improve operational safety and extend capability in demanding environments.

Position Overview

Own the commercial performance and continuity of supply for assigned production commodities. Combine senior buying execution with category planning, supplier negotiations and practical recovery work. Build dependable supply for complex components and assemblies while improving total cost, lead times and working capital as volumes increase. We need people who have delivered in high-volume, fast-paced environments and can convert priorities into action in hours and days.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive supplier responses, commercial decisions and shortage recovery at pace; secure commitments in hours and days and track recovery until material reaches production.
• Develop commodity plans covering demand, approved suppliers, capacity, market conditions, concentration risk and opportunities for cost and lead-time improvement.
• Own purchase orders, releases and supplier commitments for assigned categories; reconcile required dates with supplier capacity and maintain accurate ERP records.
• Lead competitive quotations and negotiations for existing categories, including pricing, tooling, minimum quantities, payment terms, lead times and delivery flexibility within delegated authority.
• Manage supplier relationships and performance reviews covering delivery, responsiveness, quality and cost; establish dated recovery plans for missed commitments.
• Analyze cost breakdowns and total landed cost, separating verified savings from cost avoidance; validate benefits and inventory implications with finance.
• Coordinate with sourcing on new supplier awards and handover; work with engineering and supplier quality to qualify alternatives before placing production business.
• Anticipate shortages, end-of-life notices, allocation constraints and single-source exposure; implement approved mitigation plans and avoid unauthorized component substitutions.
• Maintain traceability, approved purchasing channels and applicable contract flowdowns with legal, quality and export-control specialists; support invoice, receipt and supplier discrepancy resolution.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated senior buying experience in high-volume manufacturing with demanding delivery schedules, frequent changes and rapid supplier escalation and recovery.
• 5 or more years in direct procurement, senior buying or commodity management for manufactured hardware.
• Demonstrated negotiation experience and ownership of supplier delivery recovery, cost improvement and production material availability.
• Strong understanding of ERP purchasing and MRP, order management, inventory exposure and supplier performance analysis.
• Ability to interpret bills of materials, drawings and specifications sufficiently to buy the correct part and revision and engage technical specialists appropriately.
• Experience buying one or more relevant categories such as electronics, PCB assemblies, machined parts, fabricated structures, power systems or electromechanical assemblies.

Preferred Experience

Experience in rapid manufacturing scale-up, supplier agreements, should-cost analysis, long-lead procurement and approved-source controls; CPSM, CIPS or ASCM certification.

Scope and Authority

Own assigned deliverables and supplier actions within approved budgets, purchasing limits and company policies. Manager titles in this description denote functional ownership and do not, by themselves, establish direct reports or independent contract-signing authority.

Working Expectations

Powerus operates in hours and days. Take ownership immediately, anticipate the next constraint and deliver without being chased. Make timely, evidence-based decisions; communicate blockers as they emerge with a proposed solution, an owner and a recovery time. Move workstreams in parallel and follow every commitment through to completion. Use approved AI and analytical tools to reduce manual work, verify outputs and protect sensitive information.

Travel Requirements

Occasional travel to suppliers and company sites may be required according to operational needs.

Education and Relevant Experience

A relevant degree in supply chain, business, engineering or a related field is valued. Equivalent relevant professional, technical or military experience will be considered; demonstrated capability and delivery matter.

What Success Looks Like

Reliable material delivery, accurate supplier commitments, defensible cost improvements and reduced supply risk, with issues resolved before they disrupt production.

Equal Opportunity and Accessibility

Powerus is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, including veterans and transitioning service members, and provide reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process.

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