Vendor Manager, Axon 911

Axon•New York, NY

About The Position

Axon 911 brings together Prepared and Carbyne under Axon. Together, we are creating the only platform that combines modern 911 infrastructure with an AI intelligence layer—helping public safety agencies move faster, make better decisions, and deliver better outcomes in the moments that matter most. 911 is the backbone of public safety, yet the professionals behind it have long been held back by outdated technology. Axon 911 is here to change that. Joining this team means more than taking a job—it means helping shape the future of emergency response and building a safer, more connected world. Axon 911 is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Sr. Commodity Manager to join our team. This role is responsible for developing and managing strategic supplier relationships while driving performance, cost optimization, quality, and continuity across assigned commodities and vendors. The Sr. Commodity Manager will oversee the full vendor lifecycle, including sourcing, onboarding, performance management, risk mitigation, and ongoing relationship management to ensure suppliers consistently meet Axon’s operational, quality, and business expectations. This position requires extensive cross-functional collaboration with operational and business leaders, as supplier performance and managed services directly impact critical areas across the organization. The ideal candidate will lead vendor evaluation and selection efforts, scope and vet potential new suppliers, negotiate commercial and operational terms, and drive continuous improvement initiatives that support Axon’s growth and operational objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Operations, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred
7+ years of experience in vendor management, commodity management, sourcing, supply chain, procurement, or project management roles
Strong project management, organizational, and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
Proven ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, cross-functional stakeholders, and executive leadership
Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence decisions and drive alignment across teams
Demonstrated experience negotiating contracts, service agreements, pricing structures, and vendor performance expectations
Strong understanding of vendor management best practices, supplier governance, risk management, and industry trends
Ability to establish clear supplier accountability frameworks, including defined responsibilities, KPIs, SLAs, and performance metrics
Analytical and strategic thinker who can quickly assess complex situations, identify root causes, and develop practical, scalable solutions
Strong business acumen with an understanding of how organizations operate and how to effectively navigate both formal processes and cross-functional relationships
Experience driving operational improvements, cost optimization initiatives, and process standardization across vendor ecosystems
Comfortable operating in dynamic, high-growth environments with evolving priorities and business needs
High attention to detail with strong decision-making and problem-solving capabilities
Proficient in procurement, ERP, project management, and vendor management tools and systems

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting global suppliers or international vendor relationships
Familiarity with supply chain risk mitigation, business continuity planning, and compliance management
Experience leading supplier business reviews (QBRs) and executive-level vendor discussions
Background in manufacturing, technology, public safety, SaaS, telecommunications, or managed services environments
PMP, CPSM, CSCP, or similar professional certifications are a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute vendor and commodity management strategies that drive cost optimization, supply continuity, quality, and operational performance
Manage ongoing vendor relationships to optimize supplier performance, improve service delivery, and identify cost-saving opportunities
Build and maintain strong partnerships with suppliers to ensure effective communication, collaboration, and long-term strategic alignment
Lead sourcing activities, including vendor identification, qualification, onboarding, and lifecycle management for assigned commodities and services
Negotiate contracts, pricing, statements of work (SOWs), service-level agreements (SLAs), and commercial terms to secure favorable business outcomes
Manage vendor-led projects and establish scalable processes, tools, and governance models to improve project execution and accountability
Monitor vendor performance through defined KPIs, scorecards, business reviews, and operational metrics to ensure compliance with contractual and operational expectations
Conduct regular supplier evaluations and performance reviews to drive continuous improvement and corrective action initiatives where necessary
Maintain centralized repositories for supplier contracts, performance metrics, project documentation, risk assessments, and compliance records
Identify, assess, and mitigate supplier risks related to cost, quality, delivery, compliance, cybersecurity, and business continuity
Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Supply Chain, Legal, Finance, Engineering, IT, and other stakeholders to align vendor strategies with organizational and deployment objectives
Support deployment and operational teams by ensuring vendor capabilities, timelines, and deliverables align with project and customer requirements
Lead vendor governance initiatives, including escalation management, quarterly business reviews (QBRs), and executive-level supplier engagement
Analyze market trends, supplier capabilities, and industry benchmarks to identify opportunities for innovation, consolidation, and strategic partnerships
Drive continuous improvement initiatives across supplier processes, contract management, and operational workflows to improve efficiency and scalability
Ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and procurement standards throughout the vendor lifecycle
Forecast supplier capacity needs and proactively address supply constraints or shortages
Support new product introduction (NPI) and scaling initiatives by aligning supplier capabilities with business growth plans
Lead cross-functional cost reduction and value engineering initiatives
Establish dual-source or contingency sourcing strategies to reduce supply chain risk
Track and report supplier performance, savings initiatives, and operational metrics to executive leadership
Mentor junior procurement, sourcing, or vendor management team members as the organization grows