Commodity Manager – Mechanical

At Ouster, we build sensors and tools for engineers, roboticists, and researchers, so they can make the world safer and more efficient. We've transformed LIDAR from an analog device with thousands of components to an elegant digital device powered by one chip‑scale laser array and one CMOS sensor. The result is a full range of high‑resolution LIDAR sensors that deliver superior imaging at a dramatically lower price.

Our advanced sensor hardware and vision algorithms are used in autonomous cars, drones and many other applications. If you’re motivated by solving big problems, we’re hiring key roles across the company and need your help!

Ouster is looking for a highly skilled and motivated Commodity Manager – Mechanical, to support our development teams and contract manufacturing partners in the sourcing of Direct Supply Chain Mechanical Component Parts and Cable Assemblies. These could include specific parts related to our sensor and/or any other components intrinsic to the successful running of the organization.

They will be a member of our Supply Chain Organization supporting the development, implementation and management of strategies to provide Ouster with optimal supply assurance, pricing, flexibility, quality and delivery performance.

The Commodity Manager builds and leverages strong working relationships with our engineering teams and key suppliers to assure cost, quality, and delivery targets are met. In this role, you will own and manage the Mechanical and Cable Assembly commodity strategies, including leading supplier selection decisions, managing and developing key supplier relationships, driving commercial cost reductions and supporting new product introductions from a supply chain perspective.

As a Commodity Manager, you will build and leverage strong working relationships with cross‑functional partners in engineering and work together with our suppliers and contract manufacturing partners to assure cost, quality and delivery targets are met to achieve maximum advantages for Ouster.

Ouster is a fast moving, dynamic environment where flexibility and adaptability are key attributes needed for success. The successful candidate will be a self‑starter, motivated with expert overall sourcing expertise.

• Owner of RFI’s, RFP’s and RFQ’s – ensuring all commercial terms are agreed and documented
• Ensures NDA, SOW’s and Master Purchase Agreement are positioned appropriately before business is initiated
• Drive price negotiations processes to ensure that Ouster’s commodity pricing is best in class. Drive continual cost reduction and avoidance initiatives through price negotiations
• Drive supply base consolidation where possible
• Monitor current commodity market conditions, technology roadmaps and identify supply/demand challenges and opportunities
• Analyze current spend and evaluate current suppliers. Consolidate spend across the supply base to create leverage, analyze purchasing trends and develop sourcing alternatives
• Identify new high potential suppliers on a global basis
• Manage respective supplier relationships and performance, including but not limited to dispute resolution
• Develop key performance measures for chosen suppliers and negotiate on multiple variables to award longer‑term strategic contracts that result in significant cost reduction and improved service levels
• Lead the vendor selection process with engineering teams
• Work collaboratively with other cross‑functional teams as well as contract manufacturing partners.
• Evaluate supplier business proposals and present recommendations that will result in cost savings, avoidance or containment
• Develop sourcing and negotiation strategies that deliver against business objectives and achieve sustainable relationships with suppliers
• Create competitive environments with suppliers to support a negotiation strategy
• Evaluate and provide guidance on final selection of suppliers; perform value analysis for final selection of suppliers
• Evaluate supplier core competencies and competitive positioning using industry cost models
• Secure supplier capacity for the near future based on forecast of workload
• Develop quick‑turn strategies, identify potential…