Leads strategic sourcing and procurement for complex manufacturing spend categories. Develops category strategies, negotiates with global suppliers, manages supplier performance, drives cost savings and value engineering, mitigates supply-chain risks, ensures compliance, and advises senior stakeholders. The role also leads cross-functional initiatives, supports product development and capital projects, and mentors procurement professionals.
Job Summary
The Strategic Sourcing Manager is a leadership role responsible for overseeing high-value and complex spend categories, developing long-term sourcing strategies, and leading enterprise-wide initiatives that drive cost optimization, supply continuity, and innovation. This role serves as a key advisor to senior leadership and plays a critical role in shaping procurement strategies that support manufacturing excellence and business growth.Key Responsibilities
Strategic Category Leadership
Education
The Strategic Sourcing Manager is a leadership role responsible for overseeing high-value and complex spend categories, developing long-term sourcing strategies, and leading enterprise-wide initiatives that drive cost optimization, supply continuity, and innovation. This role serves as a key advisor to senior leadership and plays a critical role in shaping procurement strategies that support manufacturing excellence and business growth.Key Responsibilities
Strategic Category Leadership
- Develop and execute multi-year category strategies aligned with corporate, operational, and manufacturing objectives
- Lead strategic planning processes, including demand forecasting, market intelligence, and risk assessment
- Identify opportunities for innovation, supplier collaboration, and competitive advantage
- Lead complex, high-impact sourcing initiatives and negotiations with global suppliers
- Establish and execute negotiation strategies that deliver best-in-class commercial outcomes
- Oversee contract development, ensuring alignment with legal, financial, and operational requirements
- Build executive-level partnerships with strategic suppliers to drive performance, innovation, and long-term value
- Implement supplier segmentation models and governance frameworks
- Lead supplier business reviews and continuous improvement initiatives
- Drive significant cost savings and value creation through advanced analytics, should-cost modeling, and total cost of ownership (TCO) methodologies
- Champion value engineering and demand management initiatives across manufacturing operations
- Monitor commodity markets and economic trends to proactively manage cost and risk
- Partner with senior leaders in operations, engineering, R&D, and finance to align category strategies with business priorities
- Lead procurement involvement in new product development (NPD) and capital projects
- Act as a trusted advisor to stakeholders on sourcing decisions and supplier strategies
- Identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks (e.g., geopolitical, capacity, single-source dependencies)
- Ensure adherence to company policies, regulatory requirements, and sustainability goals
- Lead business continuity and contingency planning efforts
- Mentor and develop Sourcing Specialist and procurement professionals
- Lead cross-functional and global project teams
- Drive a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field
- MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred
- 8+ years of progressive experience in procurement, category management, or strategic sourcing in a manufacturing environment
- Proven experience managing large, complex spend categories (e.g., direct materials, capital equipment, logistics, raw materials)
- Demonstrated success delivering significant cost savings and strategic value initiatives
- Advanced strategic thinking and business acumen
- Expert negotiation and contract management skills
- Deep knowledge of manufacturing supply chains and operations
- Strong financial and analytical expertise (cost modeling, TCO, market analysis)
- Executive-level communication and stakeholder management
- Leadership and team development capabilities
- Ability to influence across a global, matrixed organization
- Strong risk management and decision-making skills
- Experience with global sourcing and international supplier networks
- Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and advanced procurement tools
- Certification such as CPSM, CIPS, or Six Sigma (Black Belt preferred)
- Experience in digital procurement transformation initiatives
Job location- Santa Clara, CA
Salary range- $110k-$150k
Salary range- $110k-$150k
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