Senior Commodity Manager – Aerospace & Government Programs

Company Description

VIAVI Solutions (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global leader in network and service enablement, as well as optical security performance products and solutions. The company’s technologies support major mobile operators, government organizations, enterprise network and application providers, and infrastructure contractors worldwide. VIAVI’s solutions help customers deploy, optimize, and secure networks and optical technologies that keep people and businesses connected. Team members at VIAVI collaborate across disciplines to address complex technical challenges and deliver innovative products to a diverse global customer base.

The Senior Commodity Manager – Aerospace & Government Programs is a full-time, on-site role based in Santa Rosa, CA. This role is responsible for developing and executing commodity strategies for aerospace and government program materials and services, including supplier selection, negotiation, and ongoing performance management. Day-to-day tasks include analyzing market trends, managing key supplier relationships, driving cost-reduction initiatives, and ensuring supply continuity for critical components.

The Senior Commodity Manager partners closely with engineering, program management, operations, quality, and finance teams to align sourcing strategies with business and customer requirements. The position also supports compliance with government and aerospace regulations, prepares sourcing reports and forecasts, and contributes to continuous improvement of procurement processes and tools.

• Strong strategic sourcing and commodity management skills, including supplier evaluation, contract negotiation, and cost analysis.
• Experience managing supply chains for aerospace, defense, or government programs, with knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Ability to analyze market data, assess risk, and develop long-term sourcing strategies that support business objectives.
• Proficiency in cross-functional collaboration, working with engineering, operations, quality, and finance to align procurement activities with program needs.
• Effective communication, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills with internal teams and external suppliers.
• Solid understanding of ERP/MRP and procurement systems, along with strong Excel and data-reporting capabilities.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree or professional certifications (e.g., CPSM, CPM, CPIM) are beneficial.
• Relevant experience in commodity or category management in a high-technology, aerospace, or government-focused environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work on-site in a collaborative environment and handle multiple priorities with attention to detail.