Leader, Supplier Management
About The Position
The Material Management Leader is responsible for developing and executing the material strategy required to support the company’s optical transceiver business in a highly dynamic and capacity-constrained supply environment. This leader owns end-to-end material planning, supply assurance, inventory strategy, supplier allocation management, and material readiness across the optical transceiver supply chain. The role partners closely with Demand Planning, Procurement, Operations, Engineering, Product Management, Sales, Finance, contract manufacturers, and strategic suppliers to balance customer demand, available supply, inventory investment, and business risk. The successful candidate will operate beyond traditional material planning. They will translate volatile demand and constrained supply into clear business decisions—determining what we can build, when we can build it, where the constraints are, what inventory and capacity commitments are required, and how available supply should be prioritized.
Requirements
- 10+ years of experience in material management, supply planning, operations, procurement, or supply chain leadership within optical communications, photonics, semiconductor, networking, electronics, or a related high-tech industry.
- Strong understanding of optical transceiver manufacturing and associated semiconductor, optical, electronic, and mechanical supply chains.
- Have a strong understanding of MRP/ERP systems, supply-demand balancing, inventory management, capacity planning, and advanced Excel or analytical tools.
Nice To Haves
- Demonstrated experience operating in constrained and allocation-driven supply environments.
- Experience working with contract manufacturers and outsourced manufacturing models.
- Strong analytical capability and ability to convert complex supply-chain information into executive-level decisions.
- Proven ability to influence Sales, Engineering, Operations, Procurement, Finance, suppliers, and senior leadership.
- Have the capacity to see and articulate a vision that inspires change!
Responsibilities
- Own the end-to-end material management strategy for optical transceiver products, from semiconductor and optical components through final assembly.
- Ensure material availability supports production plans, customer commitments, product ramps, and revenue objectives.
- Maintain visibility into component lead times, supplier capacity, allocation status, and material risk.
- Translate demand forecasts, customer requirements, backlog, and upside opportunities into executable material plans.
- Partner with Demand Planning and Sales to challenge demand assumptions and distinguish forecast signals from actionable material requirements.
- Lead material planning inputs into S&OP/S&OE and demand/supply balancing processes.
- Coordinate last-time buys, end-of-life planning, component transitions, and supplier discontinuations.
- Manage material risk during technology transitions and product migrations.
- Lead material allocation strategies when component availability is insufficient to support total demand.
- Develop fact-based prioritization frameworks incorporating customer commitments, backlog, revenue, strategic importance, product requirements, and available material.
- Provide leadership with clear scenarios showing the impact of constrained supply on production and customer delivery.
- Partner with Strategic Sourcing and Procurement to manage critical supplier relationships and material commitments.
- Work closely with optical component, semiconductor, PCB, mechanical, and contract manufacturing partners to understand capacity and supply constraints.
- Establish supplier visibility into demand while protecting the company from excessive or unsupported material commitments.
- Lead and develop a high-performing material planning and management organization.
- Establish clear ownership and accountability for shortages, supplier commitments, and material readiness.
- Build a culture of proactive risk identification rather than reactive shortage management.
Benefits
- medical, dental and vision insurance
- a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution
- paid parental leave
- short and long-term disability coverage
- basic life insurance
- grants of Cisco restricted stock units
- 10 paid holidays per full calendar year
- 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
- 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday
- paid year-end holiday shutdown
- 4 paid days off for personal wellness
- 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year (non-exempt employees)
- flexible vacation time off program (exempt employees)
- 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter
- up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next
- Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members
- Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer
- annual bonuses (for non-sales roles)
- performance-based incentive pay (for sales roles)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
No Education Listed
