Operations Development Manager Jobs in Sun Prairie, WI

This is a high-impact, cross-functional role for someone who can hold their own in a conversation about engineering specifications in the morning and a contract term sheet in the afternoon.

The Supplier Development and Procurement Manager is a key member of Realta's Operations team, sitting at the intersection of engineering and procurement. You will own the supplier relationships that underpin our hardware development programs — from early-stage design collaboration through contract execution, delivery, and performance management. You will work closely with our mechanical, electrical, nuclear, and controls engineering teams to translate technical requirements into procurement strategies, identify and qualify suppliers, negotiate agreements, and ensure the supply chain keeps pace with our development roadmap.

Realta Fusion is a venture-backed fusion energy company headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, developing compact magnetic mirror fusion power plants. We are advancing the WHAM (Wisconsin High-field Axisymmetric Mirror) experiment in partnership with UW-Madison and building toward our Hammir-DD pilot plant. Our mission is to deliver clean, baseload fusion power to the grid — fast. We're assembling a team of builders and problem-solvers who thrive in technically demanding, fast-moving environments.

Responsibilities

Supplier Strategy & Sourcing

• Serve as the supply chain point of contact for assigned engineering programs and internal stakeholders.
• Develop and execute procurement plans aligned to program schedules, technical requirements, and budget targets.
• Identify, evaluate, and qualify suppliers for highly engineered components, subsystems, equipment, and services.
• Lead source selection processes from requirements definition through award, balancing cost, quality, lead time, and risk.

Contracting & Negotiation

• Draft, negotiate, and manage short- and long-term supplier agreements. including purchase orders, master supply agreements, statements of work, and consulting contracts.
• Work with legal and leadership to ensure agreements address IP ownership, export control (ITAR/EAR), confidentiality, and performance milestones.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, and terms with suppliers at all levels, including senior and executive stakeholders.

Supplier Integration & Development

• Engage suppliers early in the design process to optimize component specifications for manufacturability, cost, and schedule.
• Conduct supplier reviews, site visits, and factory acceptance support as needed.
• Monitor supplier performance against commitments; develop and execute risk mitigation plans for at-risk deliveries or quality issues.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) activities by coordinating supplier inputs on design feasibility and cost.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partners with engineering leads to understand technical specifications and translate them into procurement-ready requirements and statements of work.
• Work with finance and program management to track supplier spend, forecast commitments, and support budget reporting.
• Contribute to the development of Realta's supply chain processes, systems, and policies as the company scales.

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or a related field
2. 5+ years of experience in supply chain, strategic sourcing, or procurement in a technical manufacturing or deep-tech environment
3. Demonstrated ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documents
4. Experience negotiating complex supplier contracts for custom-engineered hardware, equipment, or technical services
5. Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting to senior leadership and supplier executives
6. Ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced, milestone-driven environment

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience in energy, defense, aerospace, or other capital-intensive hardware industries
2. Familiarity with ITAR/EAR export control requirements in a supply chain context
3. Experience supporting prototype or first-of-a-kind hardware development programs
4. Proficiency with ERP or procurement systems
5. Willingness to travel domestically and internationally for supplier visits and reviews (estimated 5–15%)

Compensation & Benefits

What we are working on is hard… and hugely important. Realta Fusion is assembling a talented team bound together by a passion to solve humanity’s biggest challenge with first-of-a-kind technology. Additionally, Realta offers:

• Competitive compensation package, including equity stock options
• Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance, plus a 401(k)
• Flexible paid time off (PTO) to support work-life balance
• Work and live in Madison, Wisconsin — one of America’s most livable and vibrant cities

We value diversity as a critical factor in innovation and believe a diverse team is necessary to solve the toughest problems. We aim to create an inclusive environment that unleashes the full creativity of our team members from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on merit and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws.