Global Supply Manager (GSM) - Strategic Materials

Apple•Cupertino, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Strategic Materials GSM manages Apple’s key material supplier relationships, from early-stage development through mass production. GSMs sit at the intersection of engineering, business, and design — balancing the needs of all three to ensure Apple’s products launch on time, on cost, and to the exacting standards our customers expect. Enclosure components and materials define the look, feel, and expression of Apple’s amazing products. GSMs work in concert with key partners in operations, engineering, design teams to execute and scale new and existing manufacturing processes, materials, technologies, finishes, and form factors. GSMs also identify and scale new manufacturing partners while executing creative and strategic commercial deals to achieve goals across cost, supply, technology and quality. This role is for someone who thrives in complexity. You’ll negotiate with the world’s most advanced material suppliers, architect supply continuity strategies, drive operational and cost efficiencies through process and design change, and deliver the colors our customers adore, the reliability they depend on, and the sustainable materials that define Apple’s future. GSMs are involved in exciting collaboration with Industrial Designers, Product Designers and color MQEs in influencing color and gloss of our colored materials that enable the distinctive look and feel of our products, while striving to achieve optimal supply chain and excellent commercial results with our strategic material suppliers. GSMs proactively drive supply chain resiliency with their strategic suppliers and communicate resiliency progress to leadership. The work is fast, high-stakes, and deeply cross-functional. GSMs who succeed here are equally at home in a supplier negotiation, a senior leadership review, and on a factory floor. This is an incredible opportunity for someone who enjoys technical and commercial challenges, appreciate executive exposure and is open to accomplishing the impossibles.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in supply chain development, strategic sourcing, supplier management, or a strong engineering background in product development
Hands-on experience in one or more of the following: materials science, surface finishing, manufacturing processes (CNC machined parts, sheet metal, enclosures, injection molding, ceramics, coatings, etc.), or related technical disciplines
BSME, BSIE, or equivalent technical degree
Ability to travel internationally ~25%
Top-notch analytical and negotiation skills — you can build a position and defend it with data
Ability to toggle fluidly between strategic thinking and granular execution
Tenacious problem-solving and issue resolution; you drive toward resolution, not around it
Executive-level presentation and interpersonal skills — crisp, confident, and calibrated to the audience
Proven ability to influence across engineering, operations, finance, and design without direct authority
Flexibility to adapt in dynamic, rapidly changing environments — and to bring others along with you
Excellent communicator capable of operating in multinational environments, motivated by accomplishing extraordinary objectives

Nice To Haves

MBA a plus

Responsibilities

Manages Apple’s key material supplier relationships, from early-stage development through mass production.
Works in concert with key partners in operations, engineering, design teams to execute and scale new and existing manufacturing processes, materials, technologies, finishes, and form factors.
Identifies and scales new manufacturing partners.
Executes creative and strategic commercial deals to achieve goals across cost, supply, technology and quality.
Negotiates with material suppliers.
Architects supply continuity strategies.
Drives operational and cost efficiencies through process and design change.
Influences color and gloss of colored materials in collaboration with Industrial Designers, Product Designers and color MQEs.
Strives to achieve optimal supply chain and excellent commercial results with strategic material suppliers.
Proactively drives supply chain resiliency with strategic suppliers.
Communicates resiliency progress to leadership.