Senior Staff Supplier Relationship

Illumina; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 148,500 - 222,700; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus program

Equity inclusion

Comprehensive benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Illumina is seeking a sourcing leader to shape the supply chain for consumables, optimizing efficiency in genetic sequencing technology. You will be a subject matter expert on markets, Illumina products, and requirements, applying deep knowledge to solve complex supply chain problems.

You will collaborate with R&D, Operations, and Quality to improve supplier performance, manage cost reduction initiatives, and ensure compliance with Illumina policies while advancing supplier continuity and

Qualifications

• Requires 12+ years related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 8+ years with a Master’s; or a PhD with 5+ years.
• Experience in strategic sourcing, supplier risk, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and negotiate complex agreements.

Responsibilities

• Lead sustaining sourcing activities for on‑market products and guide teams.
• Create and implement category strategies; evaluate alternatives and obtain exec approval.
• Oversee supplier risk mitigation and escalations with cross‑functional partners.
• Lead quarterly business reviews to boost supplier performance via collaboration with R&D, Ops, and Quality.
• Drive cost reduction through value engineering, negotiations, and resourcing.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Supplier relationship mgmt

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Risk management

Ariba

SAP

Quickbase

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 12+ years experience

Tools

Ariba

SAP

Quickbase

Job description

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?

At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life‑changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.

Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world‑changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

Position Summary

An exciting sourcing leadership opportunity with a premier fast‑growing biotech and a global leader in genetic sequencing. This role will shape the supply chain of Illumina’s consumables, thus shaping the efficiency of genetic sequencing technology overall to allow for mass scale adoption, maximizing the benefits of genetic information for all. In this role, you are seen as the subject matter expert, and have a deep understanding of the supply market, Illumina products, and requirements. You will have the opportunity to apply your expert knowledge to solve problems while working on more complex supply chain problems.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Lead sustaining sourcing activities for on‑market products and provide functional leadership and direction for sustaining products.
• Lead the sustaining roadmap creation and implementation of category strategies for assigned categories. Evaluate competitive alternatives. Obtain approval for strategies from senior executive stakeholders.
• Lead assurance of supply escalations and supplier risk mitigation management with cross‑function stakeholders/team.
• Lead strategic/promote supplier quarterly business reviews resulting in supplier performance improvements through collaboration with R&D, Operations, and Quality. Proactively work with business partners and sponsors to align key messages with suppliers.
• Collaborate with suppliers to develop capabilities, supply continuity, and capacity. Full understanding of suppliers’ business continuity plans, technical risks, financial risks, etc. that may impact Illumina’s business.
• Lead and contribute global product/material cost reduction initiatives via value engineering, cost negotiation and resourcing efforts.
• Drive alternative supplier/part qualification with cross‑function stakeholders/team.
• Advocate for compliance with Illumina policies and procedures.
• Ensure system data is set up correctly for suppliers under areas of responsibility to facilitate efficient ‘Procure to Pay’ processes.
• Lead and manage continuous improvement initiatives across a broad business area.
• Partner with executive stakeholders to contribute to the development of company objectives and principles.
• Negotiate various types of agreements (i.e., supply, scheduling, consignment, statement of work, CDAs, etc.) achieving favorable terms that mitigate business risks and protect Illumina’s IP while reducing product cost and inventory levels.
• Establish and lead governance processes with suppliers to reduce business risk and support manufacturing site escalations. Ensure appropriate engagement with Quality and Regulatory when implementing supplier/specification change programs.

Preferred Educational Background

• Requires a minimum of 12 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 5 years of experience; or equivalent experience.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Strategic thinker; anticipates and develops business and regulatory opportunities and priorities for future action while also executing on concrete business objectives. Links plans to organization strategies.
• Broad expertise that can be applied to a range of business areas. Customer focused, able to collaborate and influence others to drive actions to meet business needs while maintaining a positive, professional outlook. Comfortable challenging status‑quo to improve processes.
• Flair for creating effective, cross‑functional networks involving coordination among groups.
• Strong analytical skills that allow the successful candidate to extract core data from a variety of sources, draw conclusions and insights, and translate those insights into actions.
• Ability to deal effectively with pressure, multiple tasks, deadlines, and rapidly changing priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with requisite interpersonal skills to partner, collaborate and build relationships with business partners, suppliers, and regional teams.
• Facilitates meetings effectively ensuring that communication styles are appropriate given the differing needs of culturally diverse, global teams.
• Expert in the use of enabling systems (Ariba, SAP, Quickbase) to track progress, identify gaps, and develop plans to address.
• Solid understanding of industry financial/category trends and leverage these to improve Illumina’s supply chain.
• Aptitude to understand suppliers’ key cost drivers, interpret basic financial and balance sheet reporting, and provide recommendations.
• Strong negotiator; ability to negotiate the best deal for ILMN and influence upward.
• International sourcing and supplier management experience; preferably in area of responsibility.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time; both domestic and international.
• Proficient in use of Microsoft Office (Project, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Compensation and Benefits

The estimated base salary range for the Senior Staff Supplier Relationship role based in the United States of America is: $148,500 - $222,700. The range reflects long‑term growth in the role; therefore, most candidates are hired between the minimum and middle of the range. Placement depends on experience, skills, location, and internal equity. Additionally, all employees are eligible for one of our variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and eligible roles may receive equity as part of the compensation package. We offer a wide range of benefits as innovative as our work, including access to genomic sequencing, family planning, health/dental/vision, retirement benefits, and paid time off. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero‑net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. Illumina is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail].