Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager – Engineering Software, IP & R&D Services

Western Digital•San Jose, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager – Engineering Software, IP & R&D Services will perform sourcing and contract-related activities for R&D and Engineering teams. This role requires extensive knowledge and experience in Software/IP licensing (with a preference for engineering EDA SW for ASIC/FPGA development) and Engineering Development Services. The position operates in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, supporting business owners. The ideal candidate will possess superior negotiation skills and a Master's degree or equivalent with 8+ years of related experience. The role is crucial in providing strategic sourcing support to business partners to ensure a competitive advantage for Western Digital, driving improvements in key metrics such as cost, quality, deliverables, and cycle-time. Responsibilities include managing supplier relationships, performing should-cost analysis, implementing cost reduction initiatives, and driving process improvements. The individual must be self-motivated, a team player, adept at problem-solving, and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Requirements

Extensive knowledge and experience in the Software/IP licensing (engineering EDA SW preference for ASIC/FPGA development) and Engineering Development Services.
MS/MA degree or equivalent with 8 or more years of related experience.
Superior negotiation skills.
Proven ability to achieve results in a fast moving, dynamic environment.
Self-motivated and self-directed.
Demonstrated ability to work well with people.
Proven desire to work as a team member, both on the same team and outside of the team.
Ability to troubleshoot and analyze complex problems.
Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines.
Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
Develop strong collaborative relationships with internal clients to strategically manage spend and the supply base for assigned categories.
Completing day-to-day activities that include specification clarification, source/supplier identification, proposal analysis, review & clarification, contract knowledge, supplier performance management, supplier/customer conflict resolution.
Analyze spend data, internal requirements, and external supply markets to develop strategic sourcing strategies and plans aligned with the business goals.
Prepare, redline and negotiate commercial contracts - services agreements, licenses, statements of work and amendments.
Act as procurement subject matter expert in Engineering SW/HW and Services with the business to identify, develop and deploy best practice procurement, category management and supplier management.
Develop strong partnerships with procurement operations, accounts payable, and legal teams.

Nice To Haves

Engineering EDA SW preference for ASIC/FPGA development

Responsibilities

Perform Sourcing and contracts related activities for R&D and Engineering teams.
Ensure that business owners are supported in a fast-paced, tight deadlines environment.
Provide excellent strategic sourcing support to business partners to ensure a competitive advantage.
Drive improvements in key metrics such as cost, quality, deliverables and cycle-time.
Drive process-improvements, assist with projects and provide feedback to management on market conditions, supplier relationships, and quality and customer service issues.
Manage supplier relationships, including supplier selection and qualification process, Quarterly business reviews and scorecards, supplier corrective actions, cost reduction programs.
Perform should cost analysis for major services and spend areas and implement cost reduction initiatives.
Lead and support implementation of best-in-class practices and continuous improvement of systems and processes.
Ensure timely and cost effective acquisition of products (EDA SW, IP Licensing), services and equipment (HW Emulation, Prototyping) while driving contract compliance.
Act as focal point for all the relevant Engineering and R&D organizations in USA.
Develop strong collaborative relationships with internal clients to strategically manage spend and the supply base for assigned categories.
Complete day-to-day activities that include specification clarification, source/supplier identification, proposal analysis, review & clarification, contract knowledge, supplier performance management, supplier/customer conflict resolution.
Drive improvements in key metrics (cost, quality, deliverables, cycle-time, etc.).
Provide feedback to management on market conditions, vendor relationships, supply and equipment standardization, quality issues.
Assist with projects and perform other related duties that may become necessary as directed by management.
Review and analyze purchase requisitions and coordinate purchasing activities with relevant departments within Procurement and cross functionally to process purchase requisitions, purchase change orders and requests for quotes to suppliers.
Negotiate, manage, coordinate, and support Engineering sourcing activities for services, SW licensing and HW including preparing RFx, managing the process and analyzing competitive bids.
Analyze spend data, internal requirements, and external supply markets to develop strategic sourcing strategies and plans aligned with the business goals.
Prepare, redline and negotiate commercial contracts - services agreements, licenses, statements of work and amendments.
Act as procurement subject matter expert in Engineering SW/HW and Services with the business to identify, develop and deploy best practice procurement, category management and supplier management.
Develop strong partnerships with procurement operations, accounts payable, and legal teams.
Manage, coordinate and support special projects as needed.

Benefits

paid vacation time
paid sick leave
medical/dental/vision insurance
life, accident and disability insurance
tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts
employee assistance program
other voluntary benefit programs such as supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity
tuition reimbursement
transit
the Applause Program
employee stock purchase plan
the WD Savings 401(k) Plan