Commodity Manager, Indirect Sourcing

At Axon, we’re on a mission to Protect Life. We’re explorers, pursuing society’s most critical safety and justice issues with our ecosystem of devices and cloud software. Like our products, we work better together. We connect with candor and care, seeking out diverse perspectives from our customers, communities and each other.

Life at Axon is fast-paced, challenging and meaningful. Here, you’ll take ownership and drive real change. Constantly grow as you work hard for a mission that matters at a company where you matter.

You will be accountable for assigned commodity(s) which have the highest impact on Axon’s supply base and spend categories. This role’s primary responsibility includes being the point focal for the indirect commodity that support hardware. This requires expertise working with a range of suppliers both existing and new that provide hardware solutions that support our fleet, interview room and outpost/light post project platforms.

This position includes managing the interview room kit strategy and developing a strategic hardware expansion strategy. You will also be deeply engaged with both internal and external stakeholder teams so having a sense of urgency with engagement is at the highest levels. You will be responsible for identifying, selecting and ensuring the assigned suppliers meet and maintain requirements for quality, on time delivery, and continuous improvement while optimizing cost, inventory and terms under the supervision of a Category Manager.

Enhanced understanding of emerging markets, competition and technologies is required.

Location:

Onsite at our Scottsdale, Arizona Headquarters

Reports to:

Category Manager

Direct Reports: none

• As an Indirect Commodity Manager, you will be responsible for establishing and maintaining strong relationships with key suppliers ensuring supply continuity, adherence to quality standards, and cost takeout initiatives for the assigned commodities stated above.
• Through a combination of formal business reviews and ongoing supplier communication, manages the performance of assigned supply base to meet Axon’s requirements for quality, on time delivery, cost, technological/machining innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Lead subject matter expert for defined spend projects/commodities – understanding market and supplier risk profiles and recommending/implementing strategies to reduce risk and ensure continuity of supply while improving competitiveness.
• Establishment of a strong partnership with the demand planning team, provides timely and ongoing communication with assigned supply base to provide ongoing forecast information relating to Axon’s short and long term supply requirements.
• Participates in spend management councils to market test existing and new suppliers/categories with the objective of optimizing supply base and driving competitive cost, capital (inventory and payment terms).
• Understanding of supplier inventory level needs, as required, combination of advanced replenishment strategies and persistent negotiation of supplier lead times and minimum order quantities.
• Negotiates formal supply contracts and/or agreements as required.
• Drive continuous improvement and supplier performance.
• Creates and maintains strategies for assigned commodities.
• Active participant in NPI process to translate market requirements into supply requirements.
• Other sourcing and procurement related duties as business requirements dictate.
• Aligns with team members from Demand Planning, Sales operations, Engineering, Quality and Manufacturing to understand supplier performance expectations in meeting the supply plan.
• Aligns with product management and demand planning teams on product revisions/introductions and forecasts.
• Function as a primary focal point for all supplier issues.

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, engineering, business or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, commodity or category management ideally with experience managing service-based suppliers.
• Strong contract negotiation experience and the ability to manage complex supplier relationships.
• Ability to influence and communicate across all…