Director, Global Commodity Management - Electronic & Optical Components

Coherent; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Coherent in Santa Clara, CA is seeking a Senior Procurement professional to develop and manage global commodity strategies for electronic and optical components. You will lead supplier selections, RFQ processes, and commercial evaluations, partnering with Engineering on NPI and design-stage sourcing to support production ramps.

You will also own strategic supplier relationships across North America and Europe, conducting business reviews on cost, quality, delivery, and risk, while driving

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive strategic sourcing or supplier management experience.
• Experience with electronic components, semiconductors, or optical components preferred.
• Proven ability to develop commodity strategies and negotiate complex agreements.
• Ability to engage senior supplier executives across NA and Europe.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute global commodity strategies for electronic and optical components.
• Assess supplier markets, trends, and capabilities to optimize portfolio and competitiveness.
• Lead supplier selection, RFQs, and commercial evaluations.
• Partner with Engineering on NPI and design-stage sourcing for production ramps.
• Build relationships with strategic suppliers and lead business reviews on cost, quality, delivery, and risk.
• Drive negotiations on pricing, long-term agreements, and payment terms with Legal support.
• Develop cost models and conduct total cost of ownership analyses to reduce costs.
• Align supplier capacity with demand forecasts and manage risk.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Global commodity management

Supplier management

Negotiation

Cost analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Executive stakeholder influence

Program execution

Communication & collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Key Responsiblities

• Commodity Strategy & Strategic Sourcing
• Develop and execute global commodity strategies for assigned electronic and optical component categories, aligned with business growth, product roadmaps, cost objectives, and supply requirements.
• Assess supplier markets, technology trends, supplier capabilities, and sourcing options to optimize the supplier portfolio and strengthen long-term competitiveness.
• Lead supplier selection, competitive sourcing, RFQ processes, commercial evaluations, and sourcing recommendations in accordance with procurement governance and approval requirements.
• Partner with Engineering and business teams on new product introduction (NPI), supplier qualification, and design-stage sourcing to support product development and production ramps.
• Strategic Supplier Management
• Serve as the primary commercial relationship owner for assigned strategic suppliers in North America and Europe, supporting their engagement with Coherent's global operations.
• Build senior-level supplier relationships and lead business reviews covering cost, quality, delivery, capacity, technology alignment, and risk.
• Establish supplier performance targets and improvement plans, working with internal stakeholders to resolve issues and drive accountability.
• Lead commercial escalations involving supply constraints, pricing, allocation, contractual commitments, and supplier performance.
• Commercial Negotiation & Cost Management
• Lead negotiations on pricing, long-term agreements, capacity commitments, payment terms, and other commercial conditions in partnership with Legal and relevant stakeholders.
• Develop cost models, market benchmarks, and total cost of ownership analyses to identify and execute sustainable cost reduction opportunities.
• Drive value engineering, sourcing optimization, and commercial productivity initiatives without compromising quality, delivery, or supply resilience.
• Track and report cost savings, cost avoidance, and commodity performance using agreed methodologies with Finance.
• Supply Assurance & Lifecycle Risk Management
• Align supplier capacity and supply commitments with demand forecasts, production ramps, and long-range business plans.
• Identify and mitigate supplier, capacity, geographic, financial, and single-source risks; develop alternative sourcing and business continuity plans where technically and commercially feasible.
• Coordinate supplier product change notifications (PCNs), end-of-life (EOL) notices, and obsolescence risks with Engineering, Quality, Planning, and business teams to manage qualification, inventory, and transition requirements.
• Partner with operational procurement and planning teams to address critical shortages and delivery escalations while maintaining clear ownership between strategic sourcing and day-to-day purchasing execution.
• Cross-Functional Leadership & Governance
• Lead cross-functional sourcing initiatives and influence stakeholders across business units and regions, including teams outside the role's direct reporting line.
• Present commodity strategies, sourcing recommendations, supplier risks, and performance updates to procurement and business leadership.
• Ensure sourcing decisions and supplier agreements comply with applicable company policies, contractual obligations, and regulatory requirements in collaboration with the relevant functions.
• Provide commodity expertise and mentorship to procurement colleagues and drive consistent supplier management practices across the global organization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• Typically 10+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, global commodity management, procurement, or supplier management, including significant ownership of complex supplier portfolios and cross-functional initiatives.
• Demonstrated sourcing and supplier management experience in electronic components, semiconductors, optical components, or closely related high-technology manufacturing categories.
• Proven ability to develop commodity strategies, negotiate complex commercial agreements, deliver cost improvements, and manage supply continuity risks.
• Experience managing strategic suppliers in North America and/or Europe within a global manufacturing environment.
• Strong commercial judgment and analytical capabilities, including cost analysis, supplier benchmarking, and performance management.
• Ability to engage effectively with senior supplier executives and internal leadership and influence decisions across functions and regions.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and program execution skills; ability to work effectively across time zones.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience spanning both electronic and optical component categories.
• Experience managing major analog, mixed-signal, RF, or