Director Supplier Account Management
About The Position
The Director, Supplier Account Management (SAM), will lead a team of Supplier Account Managers. The role will be responsible for leading and developing teams that are accountable for complex supplier relationships, leading cross‑functional teams to manage supplier engagement, commercial agreements, and performance across strategic supplier portfolios. The role defines and executes account and commodity strategies based on market, competitor, and financial analysis, partnering with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Business leaders to drive supply chain design, advantaged technology, secure competitive terms, resolve systemic cost, quality, and delivery issues, and deliver sustainable competitive advantage. Commodity Ownership: The leader will be responsible for one of the following 2 commodity categories: (1.) Robotics / Motion / Mechatronics – OR - (2.) Electrical / Power / Fabricated Components
Requirements
- 10-20 Years in Supply Chain, Operations, Category Management functions
- 7–10+ years leading global commodities with direct ownership of: Category strategy, Supplier executive relationships, Multi‑region sourcing and capacity planning, Business Development / Customer Account Management (ideally if coupled with prior Ops / Supply Chain roles), C-level supplier engagement experience
- Industry Experience: Semi Fab, Wafer Fab Equipment, Datacenter
- Robotics / Automation: ABB, Fanuc, Yaskawa, Kuka, etc.
- Large industrial CapEx industries
- Technical manufacturing industries: Aerospace / Defense, Automotive, Medical Device, etc.
- Commodity / Technical Experience: In depth knowledge in one or more of the following: Mechanical & Precision Manufacturing (CNC machining, castings, sheet metal, precision assemblies, Tolerance, yield, and manufacturability tradeoffs), Mechatronics & Robotics (Motion control, actuators, drives, encoders, Robotic arms, automation modules, cobots), Semiconductor‑Specific Systems (Vacuum systems, gas delivery, thermal modules, Process chambers, sub‑fab equipment, EFEMs), Electronics & Controls (PCBs, power supplies, sensors, industrial controllers)
- Proven leader of global teams across regions (NA, Asia, Europe)
- Comfortable leading through matrixed organizations (Engineering, Ops, Quality)
- Executive‑level communicator
- Track record of talent development and succession planning in commodity organizations
- Demonstrated understanding of: Cost structures and supplier P&Ls, Capital intensity and ROI tradeoffs, Long‑term agreements (supply agreements, joint development, exclusivity)
- Proven results on complex / transformative projects, margin/cost improvement programs, etc.
- Led commodity strategy through node transitions or platform changes
- Influenced product architecture to enable scale or cost advantage
- Successfully navigated China+1 / regionalization strategies
- Trusted advisor to BU GMs and CTOs
Nice To Haves
- Business Development / Customer Account Management (ideally if coupled with prior Ops / Supply Chain roles)
Responsibilities
- Lead a team of Supplier Account Managers.
- Lead and develop teams accountable for complex supplier relationships.
- Lead cross‑functional teams to manage supplier engagement, commercial agreements, and performance across strategic supplier portfolios.
- Define and execute account and commodity strategies based on market, competitor, and financial analysis.
- Partner with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Business leaders to drive supply chain design, advantaged technology, secure competitive terms, resolve systemic cost, quality, and delivery issues, and deliver sustainable competitive advantage.
- Challenge engineering designs, influence architecture decisions, and align sourcing strategy to technology nodes and product roadmaps.
- Simplify complexity for senior leadership.
- Hold firm in negotiations with supplier CEOs.
- Develop talent and succession planning in commodity organizations.
- Align commodity decisions with revenue ramps, product margin targets, free cash flow and working capital goals.
- Build supplier co-investment or joint development models.
- Navigate China+1 / regionalization strategies.
Benefits
- Supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career
- Programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
No Education Listed
