Vendor Manager/Professional Services

Who we are:

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911 is the backbone of public safety, yet the professionals behind it have long been held back by outdated technology.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.

About the Role:

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. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with managing managed/professional services vendors, comfortable in sometimes ambiguous and changing situations, and not afraid to roll their sleeves up to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Here's what you'll be doing: 

• Develop and execute vendor and commodity management strategies that drive cost optimization, supply continuity, quality, and operational performance
• Comfortable in escalating within the established vendor/supplier escalation path when deliverables or expectations are not met
• 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

What you Bring: 

• 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, managed professional services 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

Bonus Points

• 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
• 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.

Benefits that Benefit You

• Competitive salary and 401k with employer match
• Discretionary time off
• Paid parental leave for all
• Medical, Dental, Vision plans
• Fitness Programs
• Emotional & Development Programs
• And yes, we have snacks in our offices

The Pay: Axon is a total compensation company, meaning compensation is made up of base pay, bonus, and stock awards. The starting base pay for this role is between USD 102,000 in the lowest geographic market and USD 163,200 in the highest geographic market. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as: level, function, training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, geographic market, and often a combination of all these factors. Our benefits offer an array of options to help support you physically, financially and emotionally through the big milestones and in your everyday life. To see more details on our benefits offerings please visit www.axon.com/careers/benefits.