R&D Commodity Manager

About Rondo Energy 

Rondo Energy's mission is to eliminate 15% of global CO2 emissions in 15 years. 

To accomplish this mission, Rondo is deploying low-cost, zero-carbon Rondo Heat Batteries to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy and to significantly decarbonize industrial processes that are commonly thought of as "difficult-to-decarbonize". Our Heat Batteries charge from intermittent renewables to provide high temperature, continuous heat for customers safely, reliably, at an unprecedented 98% efficiency - and at a cost point that is lower than any other method.

We are looking for an experienced, innovative R&D Commodity Manager to join our team and repower industrial heat at scale. This role requires excellent finder and communication skills; you will have the opportunity to support a cutting edge, early core technology development pathway by directly supporting vendor/commodity identification, supply chain development, and coordination across the technical and operations organizations. Competitive applicants should have a deep comfort operating autonomously, be capable of making educated recommendations and decisions with a high amount of technical and program uncertainty and have excellent written and oral communication skills both with technical and non-technical colleagues and external parties. 

Join our team and together we can reduce world CO₂ emissions by 1% in 10 years, and by 15% in 15 years! 

What You Will Do (key responsibilities for this role include but are not limited to): 

• Work directly with the R&D Technical staff to identify team supply chain and sourcing needs and autonomously identify and recommend ideal vendors and product offerings
• Manage sourcing, purchasing, contract negotiation for a variety of needs and timelines; from one-off purchases of niche hardware to vendor relationship development for repeated, 10,000+ part contract purchases
• Lead BOM and cost estimation efforts for early program and product line offerings, and iteratively refine over the design lifetime of core technologies
• Manage and foster relationships across the internal organization and external vendors
• Work closely with NPI and commercial supply chain personnel to develop and execute best practices across the organization 
• Operate in an inclusive, collaborative, and iterative team, contributing to fostering an open culture

What You Will Bring: 

• 5+ years’ experience working in supply chain development, vendor management, and/or costing analysis preferably within a new product development organization 
• Expert Finder: capable of working with technical and non-technical personnel to find ideal vendor and product offerings given uncertain or changing product specifications
• Experience working with R&D or NPI product teams, with deep comfort in working on programs with fast paced, iterative development processes and with a high level of uncertainty 
• Excellent communication skills; comfortable gathering, synthesizing, and disseminating program information among internal and external technical and non-technical parties
• Flexibility, openness, and creative problem-solving
• Comfort working with fast-based environments, with uncertainty, and in collaborative team settings

Bonus Points! 

• Experience working on industrial, process or construction projects and programs, or on complex, multi-disciplinary initiatives 

What We Offer: 

• Comprehensive Medical Benefits 
• Dental & Vision Benefits  
• Life Insurance and ADD  
• Up to 13 paid holidays per year, in addition to a company week-long holiday in December
• Flexible time off policy
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Rondo HQ is close to Oakland airport - one block from the Bay - and has stunning Bay views! 

The estimated salary for this role is between $150,000.00 and $175,000.00, and would be eligible for other Rondo compensation benefits listed above, plus additional compensation in the form of equity. Please note that some pay bands may have wide ranges of compensation to accommodate candidates' diverse sets of skill levels and experience.

Rondo Energy is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a supportive and inclusive workplace where contributions are valued and celebrated, and our employees thrive by being themselves and are inspired to do their best work. We seek applicants of all backgrounds and identities, across race, color, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or parental status, or disability. Applicants will not be discriminated against based on these or other protected categories or social identities.  

Rondo is committed to the full inclusion of all applicants. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please let our recruiting team know. 

We proactively work to design hiring processes that promote equity and inclusion while mitigating bias.  

Note to Recruitment Agencies: Rondo does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Furthermore, Rondo Energy does not pay placement fees for candidates submitted by any agency other than its approved partners.