Job Overview

***This position will require regular visits to our plant in Rochester, NY***

The Global Optical Components Category Strategy Sourcing Manager is responsible for developing and executing global category strategies for optical components that support business growth, cost competitiveness, and supply resilience. This role partners closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Program teams to support NPI execution, strengthen strategic supplier partnerships, and drive continuous improvement in cost, quality, delivery, and technology alignment—particularly for high-speed optics used in AI and accelerated-computing interconnects.

Major Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Market Intelligence
•    Develop and execute global optical commodity strategies aligned with business objectives
•    Monitor global market trends, supply-demand dynamics, and geopolitical risks
•    Identify and mitigate risks related to supply continuity, pricing volatility, and capacity constraints

Supplier Management & Development
•    Identify, evaluate, and develop new suppliers in collaboration with Engineering, Quality, and Operations
•    Optimize the supplier base to improve cost, quality, delivery, and scalability
•    Lead quarterly supplier scorecard reviews and performance improvement initiatives
•    Identify underperforming suppliers, assess risks, and implement corrective action plans
•    Strengthen long-term strategic partnerships with key suppliers

Cost, Productivity & VA/VE
•    Drive cost reduction initiatives through should cost analysis, market benchmarking, and negotiations
•    Partner with Engineering to lead Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE) initiatives
•    Improve procurement efficiency while supporting business growth and technology roadmaps

NPI & Cross-Functional Execution
•    Lead and support RFQs for NPI (New Product Introduction) programs
•    Coordinate cross-functional efforts to achieve KPIs, including: 
o    Cost savings
o    Lead time reduction
o    MOQ optimization
o    Dual sourcing and localization
•    Support successful NPI execution, ensuring supply readiness and supplier alignment

Strategic Impact
•    Support business growth and evolving market demands
•    Accelerate decision-making and adaptability in a fast-changing optical technology landscape
•    Enable localization strategies and global expansion initiatives

Job Requirements

Technical Qualifications – Optics

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong working knowledge of optical technologies relevant to high-speed interconnects, including:
•    Solid understanding of high-speed optical transceiver architecture, including: 
o    Optics chain
o    Fiber interfaces
o    Optical budgets
•    Knowledge of optical components and technologies, such as: 
o    Optical transceivers
o    Passive fiber connectivity and optical jumpers
o    Co-Packaged Optics (CPO)
o    Silicon photonics
o    Lasers (e.g., EML, VCSEL)
o    Fiber and connector interfaces
•    Understanding of optical transmission concepts and components used in AI / accelerated computing interconnects
•    Knowledge of optical devices and materials, with awareness of performance and cost tradeoffs
•    Understanding of manufacturing flows for optical components, including: 
o    Key yield drivers
o    Capacity constraints
o    Lead time drivers
•    Basic familiarity with how manufacturing factors influence component selection, sourcing strategy, and cost structure

What your background should look like

Education, Technical Qualifications & Experience

Education
•    Bachelor’s degree or above in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field
•    Engineering background strongly preferred

Experience
•    Minimum 10 years of experience in a global or regional commodity role within a multinational company
•    At least 5 years of people management experience
•    Minimum 5 years of experience with optical-related commodities
•    Proven experience working with suppliers across the Asia Pacific/ US and global regions

Competencies