The posting
Job Description
Key Responsiblities
Commodity Strategy & Strategic Sourcing
- Develop and execute global commodity strategies for assigned electronic and optical component categories, aligned with business growth, product roadmaps, cost objectives, and supply requirements.
- Assess supplier markets, technology trends, supplier capabilities, and sourcing options to optimize the supplier portfolio and strengthen long-term competitiveness.
- Lead supplier selection, competitive sourcing, RFQ processes, commercial evaluations, and sourcing recommendations in accordance with procurement governance and approval requirements.
- Partner with Engineering and business teams on new product introduction (NPI), supplier qualification, and design-stage sourcing to support product development and production ramps.
Strategic Supplier Management
- Serve as the primary commercial relationship owner for assigned strategic suppliers in North America and Europe, supporting their engagement with Coherent’s global operations.
- Build senior-level supplier relationships and lead business reviews covering cost, quality, delivery, capacity, technology alignment, and risk.
- Establish supplier performance targets and improvement plans, working with internal stakeholders to resolve issues and drive accountability.
- Lead commercial escalations involving supply constraints, pricing, allocation, contractual commitments, and supplier performance.
Commercial Negotiation & Cost Management
- Lead negotiations on pricing, long-term agreements, capacity commitments, payment terms, and other commercial conditions in partnership with Legal and relevant stakeholders.
- Develop cost models, market benchmarks, and total cost of ownership analyses to identify and execute sustainable cost reduction opportunities.
- Drive value engineering, sourcing optimization, and commercial productivity initiatives without compromising quality, delivery, or supply resilience.
- Track and report cost savings, cost avoidance, and commodity performance using agreed methodologies with Finance.
Supply Assurance & Lifecycle Risk Management
- Align supplier capacity and supply commitments with demand forecasts, production ramps, and long-range business plans.
- Identify and mitigate supplier, capacity, geographic, financial, and single-source risks; develop alternative sourcing and business continuity plans where technically and commercially feasible.
- Coordinate supplier product change notifications (PCNs), end-of-life (EOL) notices, and obsolescence risks with Engineering, Quality, Planning, and business teams to manage qualification, inventory, and transition requirements.
- Partner with operational procurement and planning teams to address critical shortages and delivery escalations while maintaining clear ownership between strategic sourcing and day-to-day purchasing execution.
Cross-Functional Leadership & Governance
- Lead cross-functional sourcing initiatives and influence stakeholders across business units and regions, including teams outside the role’s direct reporting line.
- Present commodity strategies, sourcing recommendations, supplier risks, and performance updates to procurement and business leadership.
- Ensure sourcing decisions and supplier agreements comply with applicable company policies, contractual obligations, and regulatory requirements in collaboration with the relevant functions.
- Provide commodity expertise and mentorship to procurement colleagues and drive consistent supplier management practices across the global organization.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant professional experience.
- Typically 10+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, global commodity management, procurement, or supplier management, including significant ownership of complex supplier portfolios and cross-functional initiatives.
- Demonstrated sourcing and supplier management experience in electronic components, semiconductors, optical components, or closely related high-technology manufacturing categories.
- Proven ability to develop commodity strategies, negotiate complex commercial agreements, deliver cost improvements, and manage supply continuity risks.
- Experience managing strategic suppliers in North America and/or Europe within a global manufacturing environment.
- Strong commercial judgment and analytical capabilities, including cost analysis, supplier benchmarking, and performance management.
- Ability to engage effectively with senior supplier executives and internal leadership and influence decisions across functions and regions.
- Strong communication, negotiation, and program execution skills; ability to work effectively across time zones.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience spanning both electronic and optical component categories.
- Experience managing major analog, mixed-signal, RF, or optical component suppliers; familiarity with TI, ADI, MACOM, or comparable suppliers is advantageous.
- Experience in optical communications, photonics, data center infrastructure, or related high-technology industries.
- Experience supporting NPI, supplier qualification, capacity expansion, and PCN/EOL transitions.
- Experience leading global teams or matrix organizations and partnering with manufacturing operations across multiple regions.
- Advanced degree or relevant professional certification in supply chain, procurement, engineering, or business.
Key Success Measures
- Delivery of agreed commodity cost and total cost of ownership objectives.
- Improved supplier delivery, quality, capacity readiness, and issue resolution performance.
- Effective execution of commodity strategies, sourcing decisions, and commercial agreements.
- Reduced exposure to critical supply risks and stronger business continuity readiness.
- Timely sourcing and supplier support for NPI and production ramps.
- Strong cross-functional alignment and effective strategic supplier engagement.
Safety Requirements
All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.
Quality and Environmental Responsibilities
Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
Culture Commitment
Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:
Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust
Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected].
About Us
Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.
