Director, Commodity Management – Optical Components and Systems

Ciena•Ottawa, CO

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

As the Director of Commodity Management for Optical Systems at Ciena, a global leader in high-speed connectivity, you will be responsible for owning and executing category sourcing strategies and supplier management plans for critical optical components and sub-systems that support Ciena’s system product portfolio. This role reports to the Senior Director and involves leading cross-functional sourcing initiatives, driving supplier performance to meet cost, quality, and delivery targets, and ensuring supply readiness for new product introductions (NPIs) and production demand. The position requires strong knowledge of optical technologies and their supplier ecosystems, excellent negotiation skills, and the ability to collaborate with and influence Product Management, R&D, Operations, and Quality partners to achieve measurable outcomes in cost optimization, continuity of supply, and risk reduction. Ciena is committed to a people-first approach, offering a flexible work environment that fosters individual growth, well-being, and belonging, while also driving business priorities alongside social, community, and societal impact.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field
Strong working knowledge of optical components/systems and manufacturing, active/passive optical components, and optical communication systems (e.g., WSS, amplifiers, pump lasers, add/drop multiplexers, routers/switches).
10+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, commodity management, procurement, or supply chain, with meaningful experience in optical components/systems and related supplier ecosystems.
Demonstrated people leadership experience leading individual contributors, including hiring, coaching, performance management, and leading through change.
Demonstrated success developing and executing global sourcing strategies and delivering cost savings and/or cost avoidance.
Proven ability to lead complex negotiations and manage commercial agreements (MPAs, LTAs, NCNR, VMI/consignment).
Track record of cross-functional collaboration with Product Management, R&D, Operations, and Quality to support NPIs and technology transitions.
Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills; able to create and deliver executive-ready presentations.
Comfort operating in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment; calm, objective decision-making under pressure.
Proficiency with procurement systems and data/BI tools; ability to turn data into action.
Up to 20% (domestic and international) travel, as needed for supplier and site engagements.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred

Responsibilities

Develop and execute sourcing and supplier strategies for assigned optical commodities (e.g., lasers, modulators, passives, amplifiers, transceivers), aligned to business priorities and product roadmaps.
Provide leadership and governance for supplier performance management across the commodity portfolio.
Lead the Global Commodity Management team to deliver supplier performance outcomes (cost, quality, delivery, and responsiveness) using scorecards, performance improvement plans, and regular supplier business reviews; identify trends and systemic issues, align priorities across stakeholders, and lead structured escalations with suppliers when business risk arises.
Lead negotiations for pricing, lead times, NCNR, capacity commitments, and commercial terms within MPAs, new awards, LTAs, and VMI/consignment constructs; ensure agreements support continuity of supply and total cost objectives.
Partner with R&D, Product Management, and Operations to ensure supplier capability, qualification, and ramp plans support NPI timelines and volume transitions (proto → pilot → production).
Accountable for delivering annual cost reduction for the commodity portfolio.
Drive measurable results through cost modeling, should-cost analysis, benchmarking, value engineering, and roadmap-driven cost-down initiatives while maintaining performance and reliability requirements.
Identify supply chain risks (single/sole source, capacity constraints, geopolitical exposure, obsolescence) and implement mitigation plans (dual sourcing, inventory strategies, alternate technologies, supplier development).
Provide leadership and governance for shortage response when demand exceeds supply.
Lead cross-functional prioritization and allocation decisions, align stakeholders on recovery strategies (capacity, expedites, alternate sources/parts, and inventory actions), and drive clear executive-level communications and escalations to protect customer commitments.
Monitor optical component market dynamics, technology trends, and supplier roadmaps; provide recommendations to leadership to inform sourcing decisions and partner selection.
Lead cross-functional sourcing teams with Product Management, R&D, Component Engineering, Material Management, Operations, and Quality.
Drive executive-ready business reviews; communicate trade-offs, decisions, and progress with clear data-driven narratives.
Improve procurement processes, data quality, and governance; leverage tools/analytics to increase visibility, cycle-time, and predictability.
Lead and develop a team of individual contributors (commodity managers and analysts).
Set clear objectives and KPIs, coach performance, remove execution barriers, and ensure consistent, high-quality delivery of sourcing strategies across the portfolio.
Establish a regular cadence for business reviews, savings tracking, supplier performance reviews, risk reviews, and NPI readiness checkpoints; ensure disciplined follow-through and transparent reporting.
Recruit, onboard, and develop high-performing talent; conduct performance management, succession planning, and skills development aligned to organizational needs.

Benefits

Medical plans
Dental plans
Vision plans
Participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching
Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Company-paid holidays
Paid sick leave
Vacation time
Compliance with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence