Global Optical Sourcing Strategy Lead

TE Connectivity; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 130,700 - 196,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health insurance

401(k)

Employee stock purchase plan

Paid time off

Job summary

TE Connectivity is seeking a MGR II STRATEGIC SOURCING located in Louisiana, USA. This role involves developing global strategies for optical components that support business growth and resilience. You will work closely with Engineering, Operations, and Quality teams to improve performance across suppliers.

The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years in a commodity role, including substantial management experience, and possess a strong knowledge of high-speed optics and optical technologies.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years in a commodity role within a multinational company.
• At least 5 years of people management experience.
• Proven experience working with suppliers across the Asia Pacific, US, and global regions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute global optical commodity strategies.
• Monitor global market trends and identify supply risks.
• Lead and support RFQs for New Product Introduction (NPI) programs.

Skills

High-speed optical transceiver architecture

Supplier management

Cost reduction

Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE)

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field

Job description

• Silicon photonics

Job Posting Title: MGR II STRATEGIC SOURCING

Job ID: 151705

Job Code: 30004227

Business Unit: [[businessUnit]]

Building: DND Webster R and D (WN1)

Band/Level: 4

Hiring Manager: MIN YANG

Recruiter: Pete Roosendaal

Relocation: No

Travel: 25% to 50%

Employee Referral Amount: $1,500.00

Education Experience: Bachelors Degree (High School +4 years)

Employment Experience: 10 years or more

At TE, you will unleash your potential working with people from diverse backgrounds and industries to create a safer, sustainable and more connected world.

Job Overview

• This position will require regular visits to our plant in Rochester, NY***
• The Ideal candidate will reside in the Rochester, NY metro area***
  
  

The Global Optical Components Category Strategy Sourcing Manager is responsible for developing and executing global category strategies for optical components that support business growth, cost competitiveness, and supply resilience. This role partners closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Program teams to support NPI execution, strengthen strategic supplier partnerships, and drive continuous improvement in cost, quality, delivery, and technology alignment—particularly for high-speed optics used in AI and accelerated-computing interconnects.

Major Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Market Intelligence

• Develop and execute global optical commodity strategies aligned with business objectives
• Monitor global market trends, supply-demand dynamics, and geopolitical risks
• Identify and mitigate risks related to supply continuity, pricing volatility, and capacity constraints
  
  

Supplier Management & Development

• Identify, evaluate, and develop new suppliers in collaboration with Engineering, Quality, and Operations
• Optimize the supplier base to improve cost, quality, delivery, and scalability
• Lead quarterly supplier scorecard reviews and performance improvement initiatives
• Identify underperforming suppliers, assess risks, and implement corrective action plans
• Strengthen long-term strategic partnerships with key suppliers
  
  

Cost, Productivity & VA/VE

• Drive cost reduction initiatives through should cost analysis, market benchmarking, and negotiations
• Partner with Engineering to lead Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE) initiatives
• Improve procurement efficiency while supporting business growth and technology roadmaps
  
  

NPI & Cross-Functional Execution

• Lead and support RFQs for NPI (New Product Introduction) programs
• Coordinate cross-functional efforts to achieve KPIs, including:
• Cost savings
• Lead time reduction
• MOQ optimization
• Dual sourcing and localization
• Support successful NPI execution, ensuring supply readiness and supplier alignment
  
  

Strategic Impact

• Support business growth and evolving market demands
• Accelerate decision-making and adaptability in a fast-changing optical technology landscape
• Enable localization strategies and global expansion initiatives
  
  

Job Requirements

Technical Qualifications – Optics

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong working knowledge of optical technologies relevant to high-speed interconnects, including:

• Solid understanding of high-speed optical transceiver architecture, including:
• Optics chain
• Fiber interfaces
• Optical budgets
• Knowledge of optical components and technologies, such as:
• Optical transceivers
• Passive fiber connectivity and optical jumpers
• Co-Packaged Optics (CPO)
• Silicon photonics
• Lasers (e.g., EML, VCSEL)
• Fiber and connector interfaces
• Understanding of optical transmission concepts and components used in AI / accelerated computing interconnects
• Knowledge of optical devices and materials, with awareness of performance and cost tradeoffs
• Understanding of manufacturing flows for optical components, including:
• Key yield drivers
• Capacity constraints
• Lead time drivers
• Basic familiarity with how manufacturing factors influence component selection, sourcing strategy, and cost structure
  
  

What Your Background Should Look Like

Education, Technical Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field
• Engineering background strongly preferred
  
  

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience in a global or regional commodity role within a multinational company
• At least 5 years of people management experience
• Minimum 5 years of experience with optical-related commodities
• Proven experience working with suppliers across the Asia Pacific/ US and global regions
  
  

Competencies

SET : Strategy, Execution, Talent (for managers)

Compensation

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience: $130,700 - $196,000 (subject to change dependent on physical location)
• Posted salary ranges are made in good faith. TE Connectivity reserves the right to adjust ranges depending on the experience/qualification of the selected candidate, as well as internal and external equity.
• Total Compensation = Base Salary + Incentive(s) + Benefits
  
  

Benefits

• A comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, 401(k), disability, life insurance, employee stock purchase plan, paid time off, and voluntary benefits.
  
  

EOE, Including Disability/Vets

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING RECRUITMENT FRAUD

TE Connectivity has become aware of fraudulent recruitment activities being conducted by individuals or organizations falsely claiming to represent TE Connectivity. Please be advised that TE Connectivity never requests payment or fees from job applicants at any stage of the recruitment process. All legitimate job openings are posted exclusively on our official careers website at te.com/careers, and all email communications from our recruitment team will come only from actual email addresses ending in @te.com. If you receive any suspicious communications, we strongly advise you not to engage or provide any personal information and to report the incident to your local authorities.