Chief of Staff, Commercial

About Niron

Niron Magnetics is commercializing the first new permanent magnetic material in decades—a breakthrough Iron Nitride technology that eliminates rare earths, strengthens supply chains, and drives a more sustainable future. At Niron, we’re not improving what exists—we’re building what’s never existed before. The materials, processes, and standards are being created in real time by our team.  We were named one of “America's Top GreenTech Companies” for 2024 and 2025 by TIME Magazine, Fast Company World Changing Ideas wins in 2024, 2025 and winners of the Minneapolis/ St. Paul Business Journal Minnesota Manufacturing Awards in 2025 and 2026. 

As we scale to commercial production, your impact is immediate and visible—on the plant floor, in the lab, and in the products our customers bring to life. We set a high bar because what we’re building will last—and so will the legacy of the people behind it.

What you’ll do

As Chief of Staff, Commercial, you will be a strategic partner to the VP of Commercial, helping turn Niron’s commercial strategy into focused action. You will work across the Commercial organization and broader company to tackle high-priority initiatives, build the analytical foundation for key decisions, and develop the capabilities Niron needs as we move from technology commercialization toward scaled market adoption.

This is a highly independent role for someone who thrives in ambiguity. You’ll take on complex questions through a commercial lens, structure the problem, develop a point of view, and help drive the work from idea through execution. 

You will play an important role in shaping Niron’s go-to-market strategy, pricing and business models, commercial forecasting and operations, and commercial tools. You will track progress on the Commercial team’s strategic initiatives and support the functions that own market analysis and commercial materials. You’ll also serve as a flexible resource for emerging priorities, stepping into critical projects where additional strategic horsepower, analysis, or execution support is needed.

This role reports to the VP of Commercial.

You will work closely with the other leaders who report to the VP of Commercial: Sales & Business Development, Defense & Government Programs, Product Management, Product Marketing, and Applications Engineering. These leaders own their functions’ decisions and deliverables. You will support them with analysis and with coordination on work that spans functions, and draw on their expertise and data in the work you do for the VP.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Strategy & Go-to-Market

• Partner with the VP of Commercial to develop, refine, and execute Niron’s go-to-market strategy as the company moves toward scaled commercialization.

• Structure complex and ambiguous commercial questions into clear analyses, recommendations, and action plans.

• Conduct market, industry, customer, and competitive analysis to inform commercial priorities and strategic decisions, as overflow support to Strategic Marketing and building on its addressable market map, segmentation, and competitive intelligence.

• Support the pursuit of go-to-market opportunities with Sales & Business Development and Strategic Marketing, including decision tools that help Niron evaluate opportunities, partnerships, and pathways to growth.

• Help keep Commercial effort aligned with Niron’s designated focus areas.

• Translate commercial insights into clear recommendations for executive and cross-functional stakeholders.

Pricing, Business Models & Commercial Analytics

• Support the development and evolution of pricing strategies, commercial models, and value propositions across markets and applications.

• Build scenario analyses and decision frameworks to evaluate different commercialization approaches and business models.

• Develop commercial forecasts and analyses that connect customer and market assumptions to Niron’s broader operating plans.

• Bring together market, customer, technical, operational, and financial inputs to create an integrated view of commercial opportunities.

• Establish metrics and analytical approaches that improve visibility into commercial performance and inform decision-making.

Special Projects & Strategic Initiatives

• Lead high-priority projects on behalf of the VP of Commercial, particularly initiatives that span functions or fall outside established organizational ownership.

• Track the VP of Commercial’s critical strategic initiatives.  

• Take projects from an initial question or concept through analysis, recommendation, alignment, and execution.

• Bring structure and momentum to emerging commercial priorities, identifying dependencies, risks, decisions, and next steps.

• Partner cross-functionally with Finance, Operations, Engineering, Technology, Product Development, Government Affairs, People, Program Management, and other teams to advance critical commercial initiatives.

• Serve as a trusted thought partner to the VP of Commercial, providing independent perspectives, analysis, and recommendations.

Commercial Operations & Capability Building

• Help build the processes, tools, operating rhythms, and capabilities required for a growing Commercial organization.

• Support commercial planning, forecasting, reporting, and business reviews, ensuring leaders have the right information to make decisions.

• Identify gaps in commercial processes or capabilities and develop pragmatic solutions that improve visibility, consistency, and execution.

• Support the Commercial organization as needs evolve, stepping into capability gaps and helping build more scalable approaches over time.

• Help establish strong connectivity between Commercial and the teams responsible for technology development, production, finance, and company strategy.

Commercial Assets & Executive Support

• Develop high-quality commercial materials, including commercial narratives, executive presentations, and strategic decision documents, and support Product Marketing and Sales & Business Development on customer and partner presentations, proposals, and market materials.

• Prepare briefs on the companies and people the VP of Commercial and the Commercial leaders are meeting, including visitors to Niron, and profiles of the prospective partners, agents, and strategic investors the Commercial team is engaging.

• Translate complex technical and commercial concepts into clear, compelling content tailored to different audiences.

• Support the VP of Commercial in preparation for important customer, partner, leadership, and Board interactions.

• Create materials and tools that strengthen how Niron communicates its commercial strategy and opportunities, while partnering closely with Product Marketing and Communications to maintain alignment.

What we’re looking for

• Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, engineering, strategy, or a related field; MBA or other advanced degree preferred.

• 5+ years of experience in management consulting, corporate or commercial strategy, business operations, or a high-growth technology/manufacturing environment.

• Strong strategic and analytical thinker with the ability to quickly structure ambiguous problems and develop a clear point of view.

• Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex, cross-functional projects from initial question through recommendation and execution.

• Strong commercial acumen, with experience or exposure to areas such as go-to-market strategy, pricing, business models, forecasting, market analysis, or commercial operations.

• Excellent quantitative and analytical skills with an ability to translate data into insights and recommendations.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to build clear, executive-quality presentations and decision materials.

• Strong executive presence and judgment, with the ability to operate effectively with senior leaders while also rolling up your sleeves and doing the work.

• Comfortable operating in a fast-moving environment where priorities evolve and the path forward is not always defined.

• Highly collaborative, intellectually curious, and able to influence across functions without relying on formal authority.

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.

• Able to work on site in Minneapolis and travel 10 to 20% for customer meetings, visits to Niron’s Sartell plant, and industry events.

Our pay and benefits

We believe great work deserves great support. Here’s how we invest in you:

• Competitive Salary: $135,000 – 195,000 annually, based on your experience and impact.

• Ownership Opportunity: Equity in Niron through a meaningful stock option grant - your success is our success.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance to keep you and your family well.

• Mental Health Support: Because your well-being matters just as much as your work.

• 401(k) with Company Match: Helping you plan for the future while building something big today.

• Ample Time Off: Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays to recharge and reconnect.

• A Place to Thrive: Join a high-performing, purpose-driven manufacturing environment where innovation and collaboration fuel every day.

• Experience in a fun, high-performing, manufacturing environment

Recruiters and Employment Agencies: Please note that Niron Magnetics does not accept unsolicited resumes from external agencies. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our career site, hiring managers, or employees will be considered the property of Niron Magnetics. Consequently, we reserve the right to hire these candidates at our discretion without any financial obligation to the submitting agency.

The following notices apply only to positions involving access to export-controlled technology, technical data, or CUI as determined by the nature of the role and applicable program requirements

Export Control / ITAR Notice

This position may require access to information, technology, or technical data controlled under U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR, 22 C.F.R. Parts 120–130) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR, 15 C.F.R. Parts 730–774), as well as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) as defined under 32 C.F.R. Part 2002. Where such access is required, the Company will evaluate all available license exceptions and exemptions before determining that a formal export authorization is necessary. If an export authorization is required, the Company will determine, based on legitimate business and regulatory considerations alone, whether to pursue one. The Company is not obligated to seek an export authorization in every circumstance, and any decision regarding authorization will never be based on a candidate's citizenship status, immigration status, or national origin. Each candidate's eligibility will be evaluated individually through a consistent, documented review process. The Company complies fully with all applicable federal anti-discrimination laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.), the anti-discrimination provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. § 1324b), and Executive Order 11246 as implemented by 41 C.F.R. Part 60. The Company does not discriminate on the basis of national origin, citizenship status, or immigration status in any aspect of employment. 

Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)

This role may involve access to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Candidates selected for roles involving CUI will be required to comply with all applicable safeguarding and handling requirements, including those under NIST SP 800-171 and any governing contractual obligations.