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Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips – the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world – like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world.
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Strategic Sourcing Manager
Global Sourcing & Procurement (GSP) | Global Category & Sourcing
Role Summary
The Strategic Sourcing Manager is a senior individual contributor responsible for leading complex, high‑judgment sourcing engagements aligned to approved Category Strategies. This role converts strategy into executable sourcing wave plans, drives negotiation and commercial outcomes, and raises execution quality across the Sourcing Center of Excellence (SCoE) through coaching, playbooks, and standards. The role operates in a center‑led model that balances global strategy with regional nuance, delivering measurable value, an improved stakeholder experience, and proactive risk management.
Role at a Glance
Job Title
Strategic Sourcing Manager
Organization
Global Sourcing & Procurement (GSP) – Global Category & Sourcing
Reports To
Global Category Portfolio Leader
Primary Purpose
Lead Tier 2 sourcing; support Tier 1; coach SCoE (Sourcing Center of Excellence) execution to deliver speed, quality, and compliance.
Primary Interfaces
Category Managers, SCoE Managers and Specialists, Contracting CoE/Legal, Finance (Value Capture), Risk/TPRM, Operations/BPO
Scope Anchors
Segment work by complexity and risk; separate strategy (Category) from execution (Sourcing) while operating as one global team.
Mission Alignment (GSP “Definition of Winning”)
Value Capture: deliver holistic value (cost reduction/avoidance, speed, quality, and operational effectiveness).
Client Journey: deliver a seamless stakeholder experience with clear ownership, predictable cycle times, and reduced friction.
Risk Management: proactively identify, assess, and mitigate third‑party and supply risks within sourcing and contracting activities.
Optimize Capability: strengthen procurement capability through standards, coaching, and adoption of digital/AI-enabled ways of working.
Key Responsibilities
1) Strategic Sourcing Execution (Tiered Delivery)
Lead and execute Tier 2 sourcing engagements (complex/cross‑regional/repeatable) with accountability for delivery quality, leverage, and cycle time.
Support Tier 1 sourcing engagements by providing sourcing leadership, RFx architecture, analytics, and negotiation support within category guardrails.
Translate category strategy into executable sourcing wave plans and event strategies (RFIs/RFPs/RFQs, auctions, market tests, negotiation approach).
Drive disciplined project governance from intake through award and handoff; ensure consistent documentation and audit trail.
2) Commercial & Negotiation Leadership
Develop fact‑based negotiation strategies (TCO, should‑cost, benchmarking) and lead supplier negotiations to deliver approved value outcomes.
Partner with Category Management on positioning, trade‑offs, and escalation decisions when supplier, value, or risk profiles change.
Coordinate contract strategy with Contracting CoE/Legal; ensure use of templates, playbooks, and approved fallback positions for standard terms.
Support Value Capture governance (e.g., baseline/benchmark alignment and savings outcome validation) in partnership with Finance.
3) Pipeline & Delivery Management
Manage assigned sourcing pipelines aligned to category wave plans; prioritize work by complexity, risk, business criticality, and enterprise value.
Anticipate capacity constraints and proactively coordinate resourcing with SCoE leadership to protect cycle time and stakeholder commitments.
Track progress, identify blockers, and drive rapid escalation/resolution; ensure transparency through dashboards, cadence reviews, and status updates.
4) SCoE Enablement, Coaching & Quality Assurance
Coach and mentor SCoE practitioners on category‑specific execution standards, negotiation tactics, and stakeholder communications.
Own continuous refinement of sourcing playbooks, templates, scorecards, and QA standards; ensure global consistency with room for regional nuance.
Build repeatable sourcing capabilities (training, lessons learned, knowledge base contributions) and strengthen the internal talent pipeline.
5) Stakeholder Partnership & Cross‑Functional Leadership
Serve as the primary sourcing execution interface for Category Leaders and key stakeholders during active sourcing initiatives.
Drive alignment across cross‑functional partners (Legal, Finance, Risk/TPRM, Operations) to accelerate decisions and reduce handoffs.
Support stakeholder engagement practices (BRM/SRM execution in partnership with the central program offices) with consistent messaging and value storytelling.
6) Governance, Compliance & Risk Controls
Embed policy adherence, sourcing governance, and risk controls into sourcing work (supplier due diligence, TPRM triggers, compliance checkpoints).
Ensure sourcing work is executed using approved buying channels and standard processes; minimize exceptions and document rationale when needed.
Escalate risks early (supply continuity, regulatory/compliance, cyber/operations, financial health) and coordinate mitigation plans with risk owners.
7) Digital, Analytics & AI‑Enabled Ways of Working
Leverage eSourcing, contract lifecycle management, and analytics tools to drive faster cycle times and better decision quality.
Adopt AI-enabled approaches for research, drafting, analysis, and workflow acceleration while maintaining governance and controls.
Identify automation opportunities for low‑value work and partner with Process/Technology teams to scale improvements.
Qualifications
Required
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Finance, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
7+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, category execution, or commercial contract negotiations.
Proven track record leading complex sourcing events (RFx/auctions), negotiating high‑value agreements, and delivering measurable outcomes.
Strong commercial acumen including TCO/should‑cost analysis, benchmarking, and the ability to translate insights into negotiation strategy.
Ability to operate effectively in a global, matrixed environment with multiple stakeholders and time zones.
Preferred
Experience in semiconductor or high‑tech indirect procurement environments (facilities, IT, technical services, labor/services, or adjacent categories).
Experience working in/with center‑led procurement operating models and shared service/CoE delivery engines.
Professional certifications (e.g., CPSM, CIPS, CPM) and/or MBA/MS in a relevant discipline.
Demonstrated change leadership and process improvement experience (Lean/Six Sigma, design thinking, or similar).
Core Competencies (What “Great” Looks Like)
Strategic sourcing leadership: designs the right sourcing approach for the business problem; balances speed with rigor.
Negotiation excellence: drives outcomes through preparation, fact‑base, and influence; manages trade‑offs inside guardrails.
Stakeholder leadership: earns trust as a commercial advisor; communicates crisply; manages escalations without drama.
Analytical strength: builds and explains cost models; sees patterns; uses data to make decisions and challenge assumptions.
Governance & risk discipline: protects Applied through compliance, documentation, and proactive risk identification.
Coaching mindset: raises capability of the broader team through standards, QA, and mentorship.
Success Measures (Sample)
Value delivery: verified cost savings/cost avoidance and other quantified value outcomes aligned to category value targets.
Cycle time & service levels: improved sourcing/contracting cycle times and predictable delivery performance against SLAs.
Compliance & risk: high policy adherence, strong audit readiness, and effective risk mitigation actions for key engagements.
Stakeholder experience: improved satisfaction and reduced friction through clear ownership, communication, and speed.
Capability uplift: measurable improvement in SCoE execution quality and adoption of standards, playbooks, and tools.
About Global Sourcing & Procurement (GSP)
Global Sourcing & Procurement (GSP) is Applied Materials’ indirect procurement and extended workforce support function. We procure the goods, services, and extended workforce required for Applied to run and grow the company and enable Applied to support our customers. GSP partners with stakeholders globally through sourcing, contracting, category and supplier management, analytics, and transactional procurement.
Additional Information
Time Type:
Full timeEmployee Type:
Assignee / RegularTravel:
Yes, 25% of the TimeRelocation Eligible:
YesApplied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.
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