Senior Purchasing Manager

Sanmina; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage

Retirement benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Sanmina Fremont is seeking a Senior Purchasing Manager to own end-to-end procurement for a high-complexity manufacturing facility. You will build and lead a procurement team, drive strategic sourcing decisions, and ensure alignment with the Global Strategic Sourcing group.

You will manage high-spec raw materials and OEM components, applying TCO concepts and maintaining strict supplier performance. A background in heavy manufacturing and ERP systems is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field is required.
• 6–8+ years of progressive procurement experience in heavy manufacturing.
• Experience with ERP systems (Oracle or SAP) and BOM interpretation.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and negotiate with vendors.
• CP SM or CSCP certifications are a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead end-to-end procurement for a new facility launch.
• Direct and mentor a team of Buyers; set KPIs and drive proactive sourcing.
• Coordinate with Global Strategic Sourcing for complex buy items and OEM parts.
• Oversee procurement of high-spec raw materials with technical compliance.
• Apply Total Cost of Ownership models to improve long-term value.
• Manage supplier relationships, terms, and on-time delivery.

Skills

Procurement leadership

Sourcing strategy

Vendor management

ERP systems

BOM interpretation

Contract negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management

Tools

Oracle

SAP

Job description

DescriptionSanmina Corporation (Nasdaq: SANM) is a global powerhouse in integrated manufacturing solutions serving the fastest growing segments of the global Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) market. We are a global engine providing the end-to-end manufacturing backbone for the world's most essential and innovative brands. Whether it's autonomous vehicles, life-saving medical tech, next-gen aerospace, or AI/cloud infrastructure - our integrated solutions don’t just meet standards—they redefine them.

DescriptionSanmina Corporation (Nasdaq: SANM) is a global powerhouse in integrated manufacturing solutions serving the fastest growing segments of the global Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) market. We are a global engine providing the end-to-end manufacturing backbone for the world's most essential and innovative brands. Whether it's autonomous vehicles, life-saving medical tech, next-gen aerospace, or AI/cloud infrastructure - our integrated solutions don’t just meet standards—they redefine them.

Summary

Located in Silicon Valley, Sanmina Fremont offers a unique, single-location end-to-end mechanical systems manufacturing service. The facility specializes in low-to-mid volume production, New Product Introduction (NPI), and Design for Manufacturability (DFM). Its comprehensive, high-tolerance capabilities range from small parts to fully integrated and tested systems, including sheet metal fabrication, precision machining, manual/robotic welding, and advanced in-house painting. Powered by an accelerated volume-to-market model, the Fremont operation delivers highly flexible logistics, distribution, and repair services tailored to fast-changing customer needs.

It is an incredibly exciting time to work in fabrication and integration within the manufacturing sector. What once consisted of highly manual, labor-intensive machine processes has morphed into an era of robotics, automation, and complex engineering. Fremont supports the critical infrastructure driving the semiconductor, automotive, defense, aerospace, and artificial intelligence sectors. As AI transforms multiple key industries, Sanmina Fremont is leading the charge by building specialized server racks designed for AI workloads, alongside sophisticated cooling solutions to optimize both performance and energy efficiency. Sanmina offers diverse opportunities across various fields—including production, welding, design engineering, and account management. Working at Sanmina Fremont means collaborating with cross-functional teams and multiple departments to be an integral part of this dynamic and fast-growing industry.

At Sanmina, we cultivate internal talent and provide resources for everyone to thrive. Whether you are looking to build foundational skills or expand your existing expertise, you can leverage our Tuition Reimbursement program, master new software, and diversify your portfolio. We also offer vibrant platforms for professionals eager to lead, mentor, and train others.

As we expand our cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities, we are looking for a motivated Senior Purchasing Manager who wants to build a meaningful career and join our dynamic team in Fremont.

What You’ll Do

The Senior Purchasing Manager is a high-visibility leadership role designed for a strategic procurement professional looking to own the end-to-end supply chain for a major facility launch. You will be the architect of the supply chain workflows for a high-complexity industrial environment, moving beyond simple transactions to drive strategic department leadership and operational excellence.

• Department Foundation: Design and execute procurement protocols and vendor onboarding processes for a new facility managing a high volume of unique, technical components and specialty raw materials.
• Team Leadership: Direct and mentor a core team of 2–4 Buyers, establishing KPIs and a culture of proactive supply chain management.
• Operational Execution: Execute procurement activities based on sourcing decisions made by the Global Strategic Sourcing team. Manage specialized sourcing of customer-mandated "buy items" alongside a complex portfolio of OEM parts and custom-fabricated components.
• Technical Commodity Management: Oversee the procurement of high-spec raw materials (metals, chemicals, and specialized fluids) ensuring technical compliance and continuity of supply.
• Strategic Sourcing & TCO: Utilize Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) models to drive sourcing decisions beyond just the initial price point, accounting for logistics, quality, and lead times.
• Vendor Relationship Management: Maintain and manage relationships with suppliers—including international vendors to ensure strict adherence to quality standards, payment terms, and delivery schedules.
• Inventory Optimization: Monitor and manage inventory levels in close coordination with planning and suppliers to ensure inventory turns match operational targets, particularly for long-lead-time items.
• KPI Execution & Tracking: Lead supplier performance reviews and manage weekly supply buys. Actively track and manage Purchase Price Variance (PPV) to ensure favorable financial outcomes.
• Supply Chain Integration: Coordinate closely with the global commodity team to ensure the arrival of precision-engineered components is synchronized with raw material availability and production schedules.
• Margin Stewardship: Protect plant profitability through aggressive lead-time management and sophisticated pricing negotiations with technical vendors.

What You’ll Bring

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field is required.
• Professional Tenure: 6–8+ years of progressive experience in industrial procurement, specifically within heavy manufacturing.
• Industry Focus: Experience in heavy industrial manufacturing, complex assembly, or precision-engineered equipment is a significant advantage.
• Systems Expertise: Proficiency in Oracle or SAP is highly preferred. Candidates must understand how to leverage Tier-1 ERP systems to manage complex data.
• Technical Fluency: Ability to interpret technical specifications, engineering drawings, and navigate complex Bills of Materials (BOMs) to effectively negotiate with custom fabrication and OEM vendors.
• Certifications (Preferred): Professional designations such as CPSM or CSCP are a strong plus.

Why Join Us?

At Sanmina, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $120,000 and $175,000, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Sanmina employees also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Sanmina, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.

Sanmina is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment. Sanmina provides equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Please be aware that this position may require access to technology, software, or technical data that is subject to U.S. export control laws. All offers of employment are contingent on the applicant either 1) being a \"U.S. Person\", defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident, or (iii) other protected individual, such as a refugee under 8 U.S.C.

• 1157 or asylee under 8 U.S.C.
• 1158; or 2) being eligible to obtain a timely export control license or license exception from the applicable U.S. federal agency.