Senior Director, Commodity Management – Optical Components and Systems

Ciena

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About The Position

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact. Job Summary: As the Senior Director of Commodity Management for Optical Components and Systems, you will be a key leader within Ciena’s Procurement organization, responsible for driving the global strategy for all optical sourcing, supplier management, and procurement of cutting-edge optical technologies critical to Ciena’s product portfolio. You will develop and lead a high-performing team of commodity managers and foster deep collaboration across Product Management, R&D, and Operations to drive company-wide optical sourcing strategies, ensuring measurable results in efficiency agility, cost optimization, and supply chain resiliency across Ciena’s optical supply chain. This role demands proactive leadership, deep expertise in optical products/technologies, the suppliers, and the ability to influence and partner across functional teams to align procurement strategies with Ciena’s business and technology goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• 15+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, commodity management, procurement, or supply chain, with a strong focus on optical components and systems.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and inspire high-performing teams in a global environment.
• Deep understanding of optical transceiver components & manufacturing, passive and active optical components, functional understanding of datacenter equipment and optical communication systems (including wavelength selective switches, amplifiers, pump lasers, add/drop multiplexers, routers, switches)
• Familiarity with the optical product and technologies as used in Ciena’s portfolio
• Demonstrated success in collaborating with cross-functional teams, including Product Management and R&D, to drive strategic initiatives.
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and communication skills, with the ability to influence and align stakeholders across the organization.
• Experience developing and executing global sourcing strategies, managing supplier relationships, and delivering cost savings.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing business needs.
• Proven ability to effectively generate and deliver presentations to cross functional organizations
• Proficiency in procurement tools and software, as well as data analysis techniques.
• Skilled at maintaining calm and objective disposition in high stress or emotional situations

Responsibilities

• Strategy Development: Formulating long-term strategies for optical components/systems and managing the supplier base, ensuring ongoing alignment with Ciena’s business priorities.
• Supplier Management: Driving supplier relationships with a focus on accountability, ensuring suppliers consistently meet or exceed performance metrics for cost, quality, delivery, and risk mitigation. Proactively manage supplier performance to deliver measurable improvements and address challenges with urgency and precision.
• Negotiation & Contracting: Coaching the team in critical negotiations and also leading high-impact negotiations on component costs, continuity of supply, lead times, NCNR, etc. within Master Purchase Agreements (MPAs), Long Term Agreements for committed business, and Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) agreements, ensuring outcomes directly support Ciena’s strategic priorities for competitive advantage, supply chain agility, and risk mitigation.
• Technical Collaboration: Actively partner with R&D, Product Management, and Operations to align Optical sourcing strategy to product roadmaps, supplier partnership plans, and timing of volume, driving measurable impact on product innovation timelines, cost optimization, and supply chain readiness.
• Leadership and Team Development: Build, lead, and mentor a global team of commodity managers, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability. Empower the team to deliver best-in-class sourcing strategies, supplier performance management, and cost optimization initiatives. Provide coaching and professional development opportunities to ensure team members are equipped to meet evolving business needs and challenges. Establish clear goals, metrics, and KPIs for the team, driving operational excellence and alignment with company objectives. Regularly assess progress and hold the team accountable for delivering measurable results.
• Strategic Commodity Management: Own the development and execution of forward-looking global sourcing strategies for optical components and systems, such as lasers, modulators, passives, amplifiers, transceivers, and photonic integrated circuits. Ensure ongoing alignment of procurement strategies with Ciena’s product roadmap, ensuring supply chain readiness to support new product introductions (NPIs) and production capacity and business growth. Be the subject manager expert on optical component market trends and emerging technologies to proactively position Ciena for success in the optical components space.
• Collaboration Across Functional Teams: Serve as a strategic partner to Product Management and R&D, ensuring procurement strategies are fully aligned with product development priorities and technology roadmaps. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and drive company-wide strategies for innovation, cost optimization, and supply chain resilience. Work closely with Operations to ensure seamless integration of supplier capabilities into manufacturing processes and delivery timelines. Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing insights and recommendations on commodity management strategies that support business growth.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Take full accountability to build and maintain strategic partnerships at all organizational levels within the suppliers to ensure alignment on cost, technology roadmaps, quality standards, support, and delivery. Proactively negotiate and manage long-term agreements to secure supply continuity, competitive pricing, and favorable terms. Drive supplier performance improvement initiatives, including cost reduction roadmaps, quality enhancements, leadtime reductions, and supply chain risk mitigation strategies.
• Cost Optimization and Risk Management: Lead cost modeling, benchmarking, and value engineering efforts to achieve cost savings while maintaining quality and performance standards. Develop and implement risk management strategies to address supply chain disruptions, geopolitical challenges, and technology obsolescence, delivering improvements in supply chain resilience. Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and sustainability goals.

Benefits

• Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and 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, and vacation time.
• We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees