About the role
Job Summary The Strategic Sourcing Manager is a leadership role responsible for overseeing high-value and complex spend categories, developing long-term sourcing strategies, and leading enterprise-wide initiatives that drive cost optimization, supply continuity, and innovation. This role serves as a key advisor to senior leadership and plays a critical role in shaping procurement strategies that support manufacturing excellence and business growth.
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Key Responsibilities Strategic Category Leadership * Develop and execute multi-year category strategies aligned with corporate, operational, and manufacturing objectives * Lead strategic planning processes, including demand forecasting, market intelligence, and risk assessment * Identify opportunities for innovation, supplier collaboration, and competitive advantage
Advanced Sourcing & Negotiation * Lead complex, high-impact sourcing initiatives and negotiations with global suppliers * Establish and execute negotiation strategies that deliver best-in-class commercial outcomes * Oversee contract development, ensuring alignment with legal, financial, and operational requirements
Supplier Relationship & Performance Management * Build executive-level partnerships with strategic suppliers to drive performance, innovation, and long-term value * Implement supplier segmentation models and governance frameworks * Lead supplier business reviews and continuous improvement initiatives
Cost Leadership & Value Engineering * Drive significant cost savings and value creation through advanced analytics, should-cost modeling, and total cost of ownership (TCO) methodologies * Champion value engineering and demand management initiatives across manufacturing operations * Monitor commodity markets and economic trends to proactively manage cost and risk
Cross-Functional Influence * Partner with senior leaders in operations, engineering, R&D, and finance to align category strategies with business priorities * Lead procurement involvement in new product development (NPD) and capital projects * Act as a trusted advisor to stakeholders on sourcing decisions and supplier strategies
Risk Management & Compliance * Identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks (e.g., geopolitical, capacity, single-source dependencies) * Ensure adherence to company policies, regulatory requirements, and sustainability goals * Lead business continuity and contingency planning efforts
Team Leadership & Development * Mentor and develop Sourcing Specialist and procurement professionals * Lead cross-functional and global project teams * Drive a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
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Qualifications Education * Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field * MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred
Experience * 8+ years of progressive experience in procurement, category management, or strategic sourcing in a manufacturing environment * Proven experience managing large, complex spend categories (e.g., direct materials, capital equipment, logistics, raw materials) * Demonstrated success delivering significant cost savings and strategic value initiatives
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Key Skills & Competencies * Advanced strategic thinking and business acumen * Expert negotiation and contract management skills * Deep knowledge of manufacturing supply chains and operations * Strong financial and analytical expertise (cost modeling, TCO, market analysis) * Executive-level communication and stakeholder management * Leadership and team development capabilities * Ability to influence across a global, matrixed organization * Strong risk management and decision-making skills
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Preferred Qualifications * Experience with global sourcing and international supplier networks * Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and advanced procurement tools * Certification such as CPSM, CIPS, or Six Sigma (Black Belt preferred) * Experience in digital procurement transformation initiatives
Job location- Santa Clara, CA Salary range- $110k-$150k