Material Group Manager

Sonova AG; California; Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401k matching

Life/AD&D insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

Employee Assistance Program

Hearing aid discount

Job summary

Sonova is seeking a Material Group Manager to lead global sourcing and supplier relationships, aligning procurement with product goals and driving cost/value optimization. The role collaborates with cross-functional teams to support new product introductions and supply readiness.

You will partner with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing and Program Management to manage RFQs, lead negotiations, and ensure supplier capabilities meet technical requirements in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of procurement or supply chain experience in a cross-functional environment.
• Experience developing and executing strategic sourcing or commodity strategies, preferably in medical devices.
• Strong negotiation, contract, and supplier management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement global sourcing and commodity strategies for assigned material groups.
• Conduct market analyses to identify opportunities, risks, and cost drivers.
• Identify, qualify, and develop suppliers based on cost, capability, and quality.
• Lead commercial negotiations including pricing, terms, and long-term agreements.
• Partner with Engineering, R&D, Quality, Manufacturing and PM to support new product introductions.
• Drive cost and value optimization via benchmarking, should-cost analysis, and design-to-cost.
• Manage project sourcing from concept to production, including RFQs and risk assessments.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Supplier negotiations

Cost and value optimization

Cross-functional collaboration

Forecasting

Contract negotiation

Excel proficiency

ERP systems

SAP

Vendor management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SAP

PLM

ERP systems

Job description

At Sonova, we envision a world where everyone can enjoy the delight of hearing. This vision inspires us and fuels our commitment to developing innovative solutions that improve hearing health and human connection - from personal audio devices and wireless communication systems to hearing aids and cochlear implants. We're dedicated to providing outstanding customer experiences through our global audiological care services, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to engage fully with the world around them.

Guided by a culture of continuous improvement that fosters resilience and self-motivation, our team is united by a shared commitment to excellence and a deep sense of pride in our work, each of us playing a vital role in creating meaningful change,

Here you’ll find a diverse range of opportunities that span both consumer and medical solutions and the freedom to shape your career while making an impact on the lives of others. Join us in our mission to create a more connected world, where every voice is heard and every story matters.

Material Group Manager

166220

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement global sourcing and commodity strategies for assigned material groups in alignment with company goals and market conditions.
• Conduct market analyses to identify sourcing opportunities, supplier trends, risks, cost drivers, and potential supply constraints.
• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and develop suppliers based on cost, capability, technology, quality, compliance, and performance.
• Lead commercial negotiations, including pricing agreements, terms and conditions, service-level expectations, and long-term supplier agreements.
• Partner with Engineering, R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, and Program Management to support new product introductions and ensure supplier capabilities align with technical and operational requirements.
• Drive cost and value optimization through benchmarking, should-cost analysis, value engineering, design-to-cost, standardization, supplier consolidation, and total cost of ownership strategies.
• Manage project sourcing activities from concept through production, including RFQs, supplier selection, risk assessments, prototype and pre-series materials, project costs, lead times, and supply chain readiness.

More about you:

• Bachelor's degree and 7+ years of procurement or relevant supply chain experience within a cross-functional environment.
• Experience developing and executing strategic sourcing or commodity strategies, preferably within the medical device industry and with Class II or Class III products.
• Strong understanding of procurement and supply chain principles, supplier markets, forecasting, contract negotiation, product specifications, and bills of materials.
• Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, organizational, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to build strong relationships, influence stakeholders, and work effectively both independently and across multiple functions and levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and experience with SAP or another ERP system; SAP and PLM knowledge is strongly preferred.
• ISM or APICS certification is preferred; proficiency in English is required, and Spanish or Mandarin skills are a plus.

A minimum of 300Mb/sec download and 10Mb/sec upload speed internet connectivity is required to support any remote/hybrid employee functionality at Sonova.

What we offer:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage*
• Health Savings, Health Reimbursement, Flexible Spending/Dependent Care Accounts
• TeleHealth options
• 401k plan with company match*
• Company-paid life/AD&D insurance
• Company-paid Short/Long-Term Disability coverage (STD/LTD)
• Accident/Hospital Indemnity coverage
• Legal/ID Theft Assistance
• PTO or sick and vacation time, floating Diversity Day, and paid holidays*
• Paid parental bonding leave
• Employee Assistance Program, including a 24/7 mental health support hotline, five company-paid counseling sessions, and more
• Robust internal career growth opportunities
• Hearing aid discount for employees and family
• Internal social recognition platform

This role’s pay range is between$100,000 and $130,000 annually, based on experience.

How we work:

At Sonova, we prioritize the well-being of our employees and foster an inclusive environment that promotes engagement and collaboration. Our team-customized hybrid work model empowers teams to balance individual needs with business goals, offering flexibility and individualized time management. We recognize the importance of life outside of work and strive to create a supportive and motivating workplace where innovation thrives.

Sonova is an equal opportunity employer

We team up. We grow talent. We collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds to win with the best team in the market place. We guarantee every person equal treatment in regard to employment and opportunity for employment, regardless of a candidate’s ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual orientation or marital status, gender, genetic identity, age, disability or any other legally protected status.