Category Lead, Capital Equipment (CAPEX)

Ciena Canada; Canada; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Ciena is seeking a strategic Category Prime - Capital Equipment (CapEx) to lead global category management, strategic sourcing, and supplier relationship management for capital investments across the organization.

This role serves as the primary interface between Procurement, Engineering, Global Operations, Manufacturing, Product Development, and Finance to ensure Ciena acquires high-performance, cost-effective, and scalable capital assets.

Qualifications

• Develop and execute multi-year category strategies aligned with business objectives, technology roadmaps, manufacturing requirements, and capital investment plans.
• Analyze spend data, market intelligence, supplier capabilities, and industry trends to identify sourcing opportunities and long-term value creation.
• Partner with Engineering, Product Development, Global Operations, Manufacturing, and Finance teams to align equipment sourcing decisions with business priorities.
• Support capital planning and budgeting processes through cost forecasting, market insights, lead-time analysis, and sourcing recommendations.
• Build and maintain category roadmaps that balance cost, capability, innovation, risk, and scalability.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strategic category roadmaps with cross-functional alignment.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing activities, including RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, supplier evaluations, negotiations, and contract awards.
• Develop commercial strategies optimizing cost, quality, service, and delivery performance.
• Utilize total cost of ownership, should-cost analysis, and value engineering for decisions.
• Drive savings, cost avoidance, and working capital improvements across categories.
• Establish preferred supplier frameworks and standardization strategies for leverage and efficiency.
• Develop and maintain SRM practices with business reviews and scorecards.
• Evaluate supplier performance across cost, quality, reliability, and service metrics.
• Collaborate with suppliers to resolve issues and implement corrective actions.
• Support asset lifecycle opportunities and technology advancement with suppliers.

Skills

Strategic category management

Strategic planning

Sourcing leadership

Negotiation & contracts

Supplier relationship management

Cross-functional collaboration

Cost optimization

Risk management

Job description

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena builds the critical infrastructure powering the AI era. We're a technology company shaping the future of networking, guided by innovation, integrity, and collaboration. Through development opportunities, meaningful work, and flexibility, Ciena supports growth and well-being-on and off the job. Connect with a career that matters.

How You Will Contribute

Ciena is seeking a strategic, results-driven Category Prime - Capital Equipment (CapEx) to lead global category management, strategic sourcing, and supplier relationship management for capital expenditure investments across the organization.

This role serves as the primary commercial interface between Procurement, Engineering, Global Operations, Manufacturing, Product Development, and Finance to ensure Ciena acquires and manages high-performance, cost-effective, and scalable capital assets. These investments may include test and measurement equipment, manufacturing automation, laboratory infrastructure, reliability testing systems, production tooling, and other technology-enabling equipment critical to Ciena's innovation and operational success.

The successful candidate will develop and execute multi-year category strategies, lead complex commercial negotiations, optimize total cost of ownership (TCO), mitigate supply and commercial risks, and establish supplier partnerships that support Ciena's technology roadmap and business growth objectives.

The Must Haves

Strategic Category Management & Planning

• Develop and execute multi-year category strategies aligned with business objectives, technology roadmaps, manufacturing requirements, and capital investment plans.
• Analyze spend data, market intelligence, supplier capabilities, and industry trends to identify sourcing opportunities and long-term value creation.
• Partner with Engineering, Product Development, Global Operations, Manufacturing, and Finance teams to align equipment sourcing decisions with business priorities.
• Support capital planning and budgeting processes through cost forecasting, market insights, lead-time analysis, and sourcing recommendations.
• Build and maintain category roadmaps that balance cost, capability, innovation, risk, and scalability.

Strategic Sourcing & Commercial Leadership

• Lead end-to-end sourcing activities, including RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, supplier evaluations, bid analysis, negotiations, supplier selection, and contract award processes.
• Develop commercial strategies that optimize cost, quality, service, delivery performance, and long-term supplier relationships.
• Negotiate complex commercial agreements, including master purchase agreements, statements of work (SOWs), maintenance agreements, support contracts, warranties, service-level agreements (SLAs), leasing arrangements, and other supplier commitments.
• Utilize total cost of ownership (TCO), should-cost analysis, and value engineering principles to support sourcing and investment decisions.
• Drive savings, cost avoidance, working capital improvements, and productivity initiatives across assigned categories.
• Establish preferred supplier frameworks and standardization strategies where appropriate to maximize leverage and operational efficiency.

Supplier Relationship & Performance Management

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key equipment manufacturers, technology providers, and service partners.
• Implement Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) practices, including business reviews, performance scorecards, continuous improvement initiatives, and executive-level engagement.
• Evaluate supplier performance across cost, quality, reliability, responsiveness, innovation, and service metrics.
• Collaborate with suppliers and stakeholders to resolve performance issues and implement corrective actions when required.
• Support supplier innovation and technology advancement opportunities that create business value for Ciena.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Project Support

• Collaborate with Engineering and Operations teams to develop sourcing strategies and equipment specifications early in project lifecycles.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI), manufacturing readiness, laboratory expansion, automation initiatives, and other strategic investments.
• Provide commercial expertise and procurement leadership for capital business cases, investment approvals, and vendor selection activities.
• Partner with Finance to monitor capital expenditures, forecast spending requirements, and ensure alignment with approved budgets.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, contractual obligations, corporate governance, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Risk Management & Asset Lifecycle Optimization

• Assess and mitigate commercial, supplier, technology, capacity, and supply chain risks across assigned categories.
• Develop sourcing and supplier strategies that enhance business continuity and reduce dependency risks.
• Support asset lifecycle management activities, including equipment upgrad