Manager 4, Strategic Sourcing

Company Description

At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.

At our core, Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we’ve been doing just that—our technology helped people put a man on the moon and capture the first-ever picture of a black hole.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, HDDs, and platforms for business, creative professionals, and consumers alike under our Western Digital®, WD®, and WD_BLACK™ brands.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest-growth organizations in the world. From enabling systems to make cities safer and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and hyperscale cloud providers, to meeting the massive and ever-growing data storage needs of the AI era, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. Together, we can build the future of data storage.

Job Description

• The MRO Commodity Manager, supporting Global Commodity Manager, is responsible for the negotiations on all contracts focused to support local commodity and supplier management, supply assurance, local market assessment, drivers and trends, Support Material Planner(s), VMI/Consignment as needed.  Participates in cross functional team activities with NPI, engineering, business, planning, legal, finance, EH&S and inventory management and quality. Research and prepare Commodity Briefs and Source Plans.  Develop and maintain a program of evaluation for the supplier base which includes certification requirements. The position involves developing negotiation strategies, advising requestors on contract terms and conditions, monitoring cost and scope of assigned contracts to assure compliance, best value and validate/improve pricing. The MRO Commodity Manager may recommend cost saving proposals including alternative sourcing and will exercise independent judgment within defined practices and procedures to determine appropriate action.

• Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  Strategic Sourcing

• Develop commodity strategies for local area to integrate with GCM strategies
• Work with various business stakeholders’ groups to identify and qualify new or existing capable suppliers, initiate requests for proposals/quotations (RFPs/RFQs), advise requestors with respect to contract terms and conditions
• Conduct RFP and lead cross functional teams through the selection process of preferred suppliers with effective scoring criteria to critically evaluate supplier proposals in accordance with company policies
• Lead negotiations on Procurement agreements, including, but not limited to, Master Agreements, Statements of Work, Change Orders balancing business deliverables, legal interests and pricing
• Conduct analysis on proposals for services & products in support of various factory, research and development functions
• Analyze total costs, assist business functions with ROI analysis, price and rate benchmarking and negotiate favorable business terms to leverage Western Digital purchasing power
• Provide global contract expertise for sourcing of MRO for various business units
• Evaluate single sourcing requests and ensure competitiveness

• Category Management

• Develop, refine and implement category strategies and tactics that enable the procurement of MRO products and services at the highest value benefit to the company
• Add value by becoming the subject matter expert on MRO categories/commodities for internal clients on industry trends, benchmarking, and best practices
• Lead cross-functional meetings with various business functions and develop a communication strategy to keep internal clients informed about procurement processes, supplier strategy, and procurement policies

• Supplier Management

• Manage supplier relationships with focus on supply risk management, contract risk management and cost management
• Mediate supplier issues and resolve customer / supplier contract disputes if necessary
• Lead and participate in supplier performance reviews with vendors to review performance and support mutually agreed upon improvement programs as required
• Support ad-hoc reporting needs including supplier scorecards and other reporting

• Contract Management

• Evaluate processes and recommend improvements to standardize lifecycle contract and sourcing processes and systems
• Ensure pricing & deliverables as negotiated are included in the contract; coordinate comparison of proposals and final contract terms
• Ensure contract execution & retention, preferably through electronic signature process
• Provide timely updates, support management reporting of quarterly reports and address any issues quickly 

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree required with 3+ years of experience in category management and/or strategic sourcing of MRO or related commodities   

• Degree in business or engineering preferred
• Subject matter expertise in sourcing & contracting tools (SAP and/or Oracle)
• Contract Negotiation / Vendor Mgmt. / Influencing Skills

Specific Knowledge

• Demonstrated skills in negotiating and formulating marketing contracts, understanding cost models and various price structures, management of contractual, IP and labor law risks
• Demonstrated skills in project management required
• Ability to work well in a high-pace dynamic environment, handle multiple projects simultaneously, and ensure task completion and deadlines are met as required
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications: Excel, Word, PowerPoint

Communication Skills:

• Communicate well in English both in verbal and written form
• Strong project management, organizational, and analytical skills required
• Excellent team facilitation and presentation skills required
• Ability to present to all level of management / stakeholders and articulate strategies and performance metrics

Additional Information

Because Western Digital thrives on the power of diversity and is committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect, and contribution, we are committed to giving every qualified applicant and employee an equal opportunity.  Western Digital does not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their protected class status and complies with all federal and state laws against discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, as well as the laws and regulations set forth in the "Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law" poster.

WD 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.

WD 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 jobs.accommodations@wdc.com 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.

Notice To Candidates: Please be aware that WD and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying for a position or receiving an offer of employment. Should you encounter any such requests, please report it immediately to WD Ethics Helpline or email compliance@wdc.com.