Sr. Lead Global Category Manager - Foundry

Sandisk; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandisk is seeking a Sr. Lead Global Category Manager - Foundry in Milpitas, CA to define and execute global sourcing strategies for foundry semiconductor commodities.

You will lead strategic supplier engagement, develop category roadmaps, and drive sourcing decisions with cross-functional teams. The role focuses on ensuring long-term supply continuity, technology leadership, and risk mitigation, while negotiating strategic agreements and managing supplier relationships at the executive level.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business or related field.
• 10+ years in semiconductor sourcing or procurement.
• Strong analytical, financial and risk management abilities.
• Experience managing executive-level supplier relationships and complex negotiations.
• Understanding of foundry ecosystems and supply continuity.

Responsibilities

• Develop multi-year category strategies aligned with product roadmaps and demand.
• Lead category business reviews and provide executive supply outlook updates.
• Own long-term supply continuity planning for assigned semiconductor categories.
• Lead supplier negotiations including long-term capacity commitments and pricing.
• Drive risk management, contingency planning and supplier diversification.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Planning, Finance, and Operations to secure supply solutions.

Skills

Category management

Executive relationships

Negotiation

Semiconductor know-how

Risk management

Financial analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree; MBA preferred

Job description

Sandisk understands how people and businesses consume data and we relentlessly innovate to deliver solutions that enable today’s needs and tomorrow’s next big ideas. With a rich history of groundbreaking innovations in Flash and advanced memory technologies, our solutions have become the beating heart of the digital world we’re living in and that we have the power to shape.

Sandisk meets people and businesses at the intersection of their aspirations and the moment, enabling them to keep moving and pushing possibility forward. We do this through the balance of our powerhouse manufacturing capabilities and our industry-leading portfolio of products that are recognized globally for innovation, performance and quality.

Sandisk has two facilities recognized by the World Economic Forum as part of the Global Lighthouse Network for advanced 4IR innovations. These facilities were also recognized as Sustainability Lighthouses for breakthroughs in efficient operations. With our global reach, we ensure the global supply chain has access to the Flash memory it needs to keep our world moving forward.

Description

Global Category Manager, Foundry The Sr. Lead Global Category Manager - Foundry is responsible for defining and executing the global sourcing and supply strategy for assigned semiconductor commodities (e.g. Foundry). The GCM serves as the strategic owner of the category, ensuring long-term supply continuity, supplier competitiveness, technology alignment, and risk mitigation in support of Sandisk's customer commitments and business growth objectives. The role leads strategic supplier engagement, develops category roadmaps, drives sourcing decisions, and collaborates with Engineering, Operations, Finance, Planning, Supplier Quality, and Program teams to secure sustainable supply solutions.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Business Planning

• Develop and maintain multi-year category strategies aligned with corporate objectives, product roadmaps, and customer demand forecasts.
• Analyze market conditions, supplier capabilities, capacity trends, technology roadmaps, geopolitical risks, and industry developments to guide sourcing decisions.
• Establish sourcing strategies that balance cost, supply assurance, technology leadership, and risk management.
• Lead category business reviews and provide executive updates regarding supply outlook, risks, and strategic initiatives. Supply Continuity & Risk Management
• Own long-term supply continuity planning for assigned semiconductor categories.
• Drive supplier commitment strategies to support Sandisk's transition toward multi-year customer commitments.
• Lead risk identification, mitigation planning, allocation strategies, capacity reservation discussions, and business continuity planning.
• Escalate and drive resolution of strategic supply constraints with executive stakeholders and suppliers.
• Serve as the executive relationship owner for strategic semiconductor suppliers.
• Lead supplier negotiations covering commercial agreements, long-term capacity commitments, strategic investments, pricing frameworks, and supply assurance programs.
• Conduct Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and supplier performance assessments.
• Develop supplier roadmaps aligned with technology and business requirements.
• Lead sourcing recommendations for new programs and strategic component selections.
• Drive alternate source strategies, second-source qualifications, and supplier diversification initiatives.
• Partner with Engineering and NPI Procurement to influence sourcing decisions early in the product design cycle.
• Support value engineering initiatives focused on cost optimization, supply resilience, and technology competitiveness.
• Own strategic commercial negotiations for assigned semiconductor commodities.
• Lead cost reduction initiatives, supplier productivity programs, and long-term cost competitiveness strategies.
• Approve and manage PPV-related decisions and category-level cost performance reporting where applicable.
• Negotiate and support execution of NDAs, MSAs, SOWs, LTAs, LOAs, and other commercial agreements.
• Partner closely with:
• Engineering and Platform Architecture
• NPI Procurement
• Planning and Material Management
• Supplier Quality
• Operations and Manufacturing
• Finance
• Program Management
• Provide strategic direction to Category Managers and Global Buyers responsible for tactical supplier execution. Key Deliverables
• Multi-year category strategy and roadmap
• Supply continuity plans supporting customer commitments
• Capacity and allocation management framework
• Strategic supplier relationship plans
• Second-source and qualification strategies
• Executive risk mitigation and escalation plans
• Commercial negotiation outcomes and savings initiatives
• Market intelligence and supplier technology Decision Authority
• Category strategy and roadmap development
• Strategic sourcing recommendations
• Strategic supplier engagement and executive escalation
• Long-term supplier commitments and capacity planning
• Category-level risk management and mitigation
• Commercial negotiation strategy and major supplier agreements
• Cross-functional alignment on sourcing and supply

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related discipline; MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of semiconductor sourcing, category management, supply chain, procurement, or supplier management experience.
• Strong understanding of semiconductor manufacturing ecosystems, especially foundry.
• Experience managing executive-level supplier relationships and complex negotiations.
• Strong analytical, financial, and risk management capabilities.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams and lead through ambiguity.
• Experience managing strategic supply continuity programs and high-impact business risks.

Additional Information

Sandisk is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person’s gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, protected medical and family care leave, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We also prohibit harassment of any individual on any of the characteristics listed above. Our non-discrimination policy applies to all aspects of employment. We comply with the laws and regulations set forth in the Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law poster.

Sandisk thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.

Sandisk is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at [e-mail] to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.