Senior Manager, Strategic Sourcing

Western Digital; Bayan Lepas; On-site; MYR 300,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Digital is seeking a Senior Strategic Sourcing Lead to manage capital equipment sourcing for WD's global manufacturing network, optimizing cost, supply continuity, and technology partnerships. The role requires leading cross-functional teams and driving strategic supplier relationships across semiconductor and storage equipment.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years in procurement with 5+ years in capital equipment, deep industry knowledge, and strong negotiation and analytic skills.

Qualifications

• 10+ years progressive procurement/sourcing experience, with 5+ years in capital equipment for semiconductor, HDD, or related high-tech manufacturing
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred
• Proven track record negotiating $50M+ capital equipment deals with major OEMs
• Deep understanding of semiconductor fab equipment, HDD/SSD manufacturing equipment, or advanced test systems
• Knowledge of equipment technology trends, supplier landscapes, and competitive dynamics
• Familiarity with capital budgeting, ROI analysis, and equipment depreciation models
• Understanding of export controls (EAR, ITAR), IP protection, and technology transfer regulations

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives for capital equipment portfolios
• Drive Total Cost of Ownership optimization through supplier partnerships
• Establish multi-year sourcing roadmaps aligned with technology roadmap and capacity expansion
• Build and maintain partnerships with Tier-1 OEMs and equipment suppliers
• Implement supplier performance management systems
• Develop supply continuity strategies and risk mitigation plans
• Lead supplier business reviews and drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Negotiate complex multi-million-dollar capital equipment agreements
• Structure creative commercial arrangements to optimize cash flow
• Drive standardization and value engineering to reduce cost
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Finance, and Legal teams
• Support new product introduction and technology transitions with equipment procurement
• Interface with Export Control and Trade Compliance on regulated sourcing

Skills

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Analytics

Stakeholder management

Change leadership

Executive presence

Procurement systems

Project management

Global mindset

Results oriented

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

MBA preferred

Tools

SAP

Ariba

Coupa

Excel (advanced)

Job description

• Job Type (exemption status): Exempt position - Please see related compensation & benefits details below
• Business Function: Strategic Sourcing
• Location (Secondary): KL COE Office--LOC_WDT_KL COE

Company Description

WD is building the infrastructure behind the AI-driven data economy.

As AI scales, so does data. Every interaction, every model, every system generates data that must be stored, managed, and made accessible over time. That’s where we come in.

We combine deep engineering expertise with global-scale manufacturing to deliver the storage systems that make AI possible, powering hyperscale data centers, cloud platforms, and enterprise infrastructure worldwide.

This isn’t theoretical work. It’s real systems, at real scale, people solving some of the hardest challenges in technology today.

We’re looking for peoplewho want to build, solve, and operate at that level.

Join us and let’s shape the future of data.

Job Description

Position Overview

Lead strategic sourcing initiatives for critical capital equipment across Western Digital's global manufacturing operations, driving cost optimization, supply continuity, and technology innovation in alignment with WD's operational excellence and business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing Leadership

• Develop and execute comprehensive sourcing strategies for capital equipment portfolios (wafer fabrication, HDD/SSD manufacturing, test equipment) supporting $XXM+ annual spend
• Lead cross-functional teams in supplier selection, negotiation, and contract execution for high-value capital investments
• Drive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) optimization through strategic supplier partnerships and innovative commercial models
• Establish multi-year sourcing roadmaps aligned with WD's technology roadmap and capacity expansion plans
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with Tier-1 OEMs and equipment suppliers in semiconductor and storage industries
• Implement robust supplier performance management systems tracking quality, delivery, technical support, and innovation
• Develop supply continuity strategies and risk mitigation plans for critical single-source equipment
• Lead supplier business reviews and drive continuous improvement initiatives

Commercial Excellence & Value Creation

• Negotiate complex multi-million-dollar capital equipment agreements, including pricing, payment terms, warranty, service, and IP considerations
• Structure creative commercial arrangements (consignment, lease-to-own, performance-based contracts) to optimize cash flow
• Drive standardization and commonality initiatives to leverage scale and reduce total cost
• Identify and capture cost savings opportunities through value engineering, should-cost analysis, and competitive benchmarking

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Engineering, Operations, Finance, and Legal teams on capital planning, equipment specifications, and investment justifications
• Support new product introduction (NPI) and technology transitions with timely equipment procurement
• Collaborate with Global Operations on supplier qualification, installation, and ramp activities
• Interface with Export Control and Trade Compliance on regulated equipment sourcing

• Lead and mentor sourcing team members, fostering professional development and category expertise
• Establish sourcing best practices, processes, and tools to drive efficiency and compliance
• Champion digital procurement transformation and adoption of advanced analytics

Qualifications

Required :

• 10+ years progressive procurement/sourcing experience, with 5+ years in capital equipment for semiconductor, HDD, or related high-tech manufacturing
• bachelor’s degree in engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred
• Proven track record negotiating $50M+ capital equipment deals with major OEMs
• Deep understanding of semiconductor fab equipment, HDD/SSD manufacturing equipment, or advanced test systems
• Knowledge of equipment technology trends, supplier landscapes, and competitive dynamics
• Familiarity with capital budgeting, ROI analysis, and equipment depreciation models
• Understanding of export controls (EAR, ITAR), IP protection, and technology transfer regulations

Skills :

• Strategic thinking with ability to translate business needs into sourcing strategies
• Exceptional negotiation skills with demonstrated ability to create win-win outcomes
• Strong analytical capabilities including cost modeling, should-cost analysis, and data-driven decision making
• Excellent stakeholder management across functions and geographies
• Change leadership and ability to drive transformation in complex organizations
• Executive presence and communication skills for senior leadership engagement
• Proficiency in procurement systems (SAP, Ariba, Coupa) and advanced Excel/analytics tools
• Project management expertise managing multiple complex initiatives simultaneously
• Global mindset with experience managing Asia-based supply chains
• Results-oriented with bias for action and accountability

Preferred :

• Capital equipment cost savings and avoidance targets (% YoY improvement) Supplier performance: On-time delivery, quality, and support responsiveness
• Supply continuity: Zero line-down events due to equipment/parts availability
• Contract compliance and risk mitigation effectiveness
• Sourcing cycle time reduction and process efficiency gains
• Stakeholder satisfaction scores from Engineering and Operations partners

Travel: 20-30% (domestic and international to supplier sites and WD manufacturing facilities)

Additional Information

#LI-SK1

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