The Strategic Supplier Manager – Tier 1 is responsible for building, ramping up, and strategically governing Global Integration Centers (GICs) in alignment with Advantest’s long‑term supply network and business strategy.
In the initial phase, the role has a strong program and project management focus, acting as the lead for additional GIC ramp‑up and implementation. This includes driving operational readiness, coordinating cross‑functional stakeholders, aligning capacity and capability targets, and supporting the setup and stabilization of current and future Global Integration Centers. The role actively manages complex implementation challenges and ensures timely execution against ramp‑up milestones.
As the GICs mature, the role evolves into a Strategic Supplier Manager responsibility, with accountability for steering Tier‑1 supplier relationships at strategic level. This includes defining and executing supplier strategies in line with commodity and supply network objectives, governing supplier performance, managing commercial and contractual frameworks, and ensuring long‑term resilience, scalability, and value creation.
Throughout all phases, the Strategic Supplier Manager acts as a key interface between suppliers, operations, R&D, and senior leadership, applying strong problem‑solving capabilities, business judgment, and stakeholder management to address structural issues at a strategic level. The role ensures that Global Integration Centers (Tie-1) enable sustainable growth, operational stability, and long‑term competitive advantage for Advantest
Key responsibilities and duties:
- Strategic Supplier Management: govern strategic Tier‑1 supplier relationships along the full supplier lifecycle, define supplier strategies aligned with business objectives, commodity direction and supply network requirements
- Commercial & Contract Management: lead long‑term commercial frameworks and contract negotiations, enabling value creation through cost optimization, innovation, collaboration and balanced risk allocation
- Supplier Performance Management: establish and steer performance management, evaluate and mitigate supplier, capacity and supply chain risks, and lead corrective actions at strategic level
- Capacity & Supply Network Alignment: support strategic capacity planning and allocation to ensure scalability, resilience and business continuity across Tier‑1 suppliers
- Cross‑functional Collaboration: co‑operate closely with Commodity Management, Quality, Product Management, Operations and senior stakeholders to align supplier strategies with business and technology roadmaps
- Continuous Improvement: drive CI initiatives with suppliers, identify opportunities for innovation, multiple sourcing, supply base optimization and strengthened supply chain resilience
- Objectives & Accountability: set clear objectives, priorities and accountability within the extended supplier and project context
- Collaboration & Engagement: foster collaboration, engagement and a culture of continuous improvement across internal and external stakeholders
- KPI and Performance Management: Create transparency and track the following KPIs: OTD, TCO, Cost stability, Quality, Cost improvements. Define mitigation actions, if required
- Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering or related field
- 5+ years of experience in strategic supplier management, sourcing, procurement or comparable roles with exposure to complex supplier environments (Tier‑1 / OEM / Contract Manufacturing)
- Experience in contract negotiation and supplier governance, including long‑term agreements, commercial frameworks, risk allocation and escalation management
- Experience working with globally matrix-organized teams and across business units
- Strong project and program management capabilities, with experience in ramp‑up, implementation or transformation initiatives in a supplier or operational context
- Proven problem‑solving and decision‑making skills in complex, ambiguous environments, balancing short‑term execution with long‑term strategic objectives
- Good understanding of supplier business and operating models, including cost drivers, capacity constraints and scalability considerations
- Solid stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to lead and influence without formal authority
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