VP of Hardware

About Us At Versa Networks, we're revolutionizing the way businesses connect, secure, and optimize their networks. Our mission is to secure anywhere, anytime access to anything. As a leader in Secure SD-WAN, SSE (Secure Service Edge), SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) and Next-generation Managed Services, we are empowering organizations across the globe to transform their IT infrastructure for the modern cloud era. Our innovative products enable enterprises to deliver a seamless, scalable, and secure digital experience, no matter where their users, devices, or applications are located. Founded by industry veterans and backed by premier venture capital firms, Versa is a market leader driving innovation and growth as it positions itself for a future IPO. We believe in fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and customer success. Our team is comprised of passionate, forward-thinking professionals dedicated to driving the future of networking technology. We encourage creativity, offer opportunities for growth, and provide a dynamic environment where our people can thrive and make an impact. At Versa Networks, we don’t just build products – we build relationships, elevate businesses, and shape the digital future. Join us and be part of a fast-paced, cutting-edge company that's making a real difference in how the world connects and communicates. Job Summary We are seeking a strategic and execution-oriented Vice President of Hardware to lead our hardware business end-to-end. In this role, you will own the strategy, product, supply chain operations & distribution, and execution of the Company’s hardware appliance portfolio. The VP of Hardware will partner with Product Management, Engineering, Sales, Finance, and Operations to define and execute our hardware strategy and ensure that we have the right products, partners, economics, and operational infrastructure to support the growth of the business. The VP of Hardware will work with our key hardware partners, including ODMs and master distributors, and will ensure alignment between our product strategy, customer demand, and operational execution. The ideal candidate combines strong technical and product judgment with deep experience in hardware supply chains, distribution, forecasting, pricing, and customer engagement. What You'll Do: • Hardware appliance strategy and product line management • Own the hardware appliance strategy and roadmap, and align with product requirements, customer needs, and business goals. • Lead build-versus-partner decisions. Establish a clear business case and complete technical, commercial, and operational evaluation before committing to a new appliance. • Own the hardware product line across its lifecycle, including portfolio planning, launches, transitions, and end-of-life decisions. • Lead appliance costing and pricing strategy, balancing competitiveness, margin, and long-term viability. • Structure and approve hardware pricing for strategic or exceptional deals within the company’s approval framework. • Hardware programs and certifications • Ensure new hardware programs are delivered against agreed specifications, quality standards, budgets, and launch timelines. • Oversee hardware certifications required for target products, markets, and customers. • Identify program risks early and drive decisions across internal teams and external partners to keep launches on track. • Supply chain and ODM partnerships • Define and execute the ODM strategy, including partner selection, performance management, and consolidation where it improves scale and efficiency. • Build sufficient volume with strategic ODM partners to strengthen pricing, capacity access, quality, and execution. • Own senior-level engagement with ODMs such as Jabil, Advantech, Accton, and other relevant partners. • Drive improvements in supply continuity, lead times, inventory exposure, and total landed cost. • Forecasting distribution and operations • Work with Sales and other stakeholders to establish a regular internal and external demand forecast for the appliance portfolio. • Lead engagement with master distributors and develop a stocking and warehousing strategy that supports customer delivery commitments. • Partner with Sales on distributor relationships and define appropriate inventory buffers based on demand, lead times, and service expectations. • Monitor supply, inventory, and fulfillment performance and take corrective action when demand or partner performance changes. • Sales and customer engagement • Support Sales in customer engagements, both proactively for strategic opportunities and reactively when hardware questions or issues arise. • Provide clear guidance on appliance selection, availability, lifecycle, and commercial options. • Bring customer and field feedback into hardware roadmap, pricing, and partner decisions. Qualifications • 15+ years of experience in hardware, networking, infrastructure, computing, telecommunications, or a related technology industry • Significant leadership experience in hardware product management, appliance engineering, supply chain, or a related technology business. • Proven experience taking hardware appliances from business case through development, certification, production, and commercial launch. • Experience leading commercial negotiations and managing senior relationships with manufacturing partners. • Ability to make sound trade-offs across customer requirements, technical capability, cost, margin, supply risk, and time to market. • Strong cross-functional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to work directly with executives, sales teams, partners, and customers. • Demonstrated experience leading a hardware business, product line, or hardware organization from strategy through execution. • Strong understanding of hardware product development, engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and operations. • Strong experience working with ODMs, contract manufacturers,