Sr. Strategic Sourcing Manager, Capital Equipment

Company Description

WD is building the infrastructure behind the AI-driven data economy.

As AI scales, so does data. Every interaction, every model, every system generates data that must be stored, managed, and made accessible over time. That’s where we come in.

We combine deep engineering expertise with global-scale manufacturing to deliver the storage systems that make AI possible, powering hyperscale data centers, cloud platforms, and enterprise infrastructure worldwide.

This isn’t theoretical work. It’s real systems, at real scale, people solving some of the hardest challenges in technology today.

We’re looking for people who want to build, solve, and operate at that level.

Join us and let’s shape the future of data.

Job Description

The Sr. Global Commodity Manager is responsible for developing the sourcing strategies for the Capital Equipment category, enabling front- and back-end wafer manufacturing. The person in this position would be recognized as a sourcing expert for Technology-related categories, would work with finance, industrial engineering, planning, and legal, and would act as Procurement ambassador to the business and integrate into the business to ensure complete alignment and deep understanding of the business goals and partner in developing sourcing strategies. They will be working with engineering, R&D, and manufacturing and thus in a very dynamic, challenging, and changing environment. The goal is to be value-added sourcing partners to the business.

Additional responsibilities include negotiating Equipment/Tools contracts that may be site-specific or have global reach. The position involves (but is not limited to) developing negotiation strategies, advising requestors on contract terms and conditions, monitoring cost and scope of assigned contracts to assure compliance/best value, leading supplier executive review meetings, measure/improve supplier performance, mitigating tariff impacts, improving working capital, and validating/improving pricing. The Sr. Global Commodity Manager would also be responsible for recommending 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, manage, and execute strategies for the Capital Category

Conduct RFQ 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

Collaborate with technology/Equipment and tools Eng./Legal stakeholders to assess, understand, and prioritize business needs to optimize value with WD’s supply base

Conduct spend/contract/proposal analysis for supply of capital equipment and tools to the leadership team

Lead negotiations on commercial procurement agreements, including, but not limited to, Master Equipment/Tools and Service Agreements (MESA’s), Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Statements of Work (SOW’s), Change Orders (CO’s), balancing business deliverables, legal interests, and pricing

Analyze total costs, assist business functions with ROI/TCO analysis, price and rate benchmarking, and negotiate favorable business terms to leverage Western Digital purchasing power

Research market intelligence to understand cost drivers and market trends

Category Management

Develop, refine, and implement category strategies and tactics that enable the procurement of semiconductor equipment/tools at the highest value benefit to the company.

Cultivate, enhance, and deepen cross-functional stakeholder relationships at all levels serving as the subject matter expert on behalf of the procurement organization.

Actively monitor internal/external trends, synthesize and distill the business intelligence into actionable opportunities and pipeline projects that can and will be delivered to Western Digital’s bottom line on an ongoing basis.

Supplier Management

Manage supplier relationships with a focus on supply/contract and cost management

Lead supplier performance business reviews on a quarterly basis to enhance performance delivery from strategic partners

Mediate supplier issues and resolve supplier contract disputes as needed

Develop supplier rationalization entitlements for each category

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

Act as liaison between Legal and the business

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree with 10yrs+ of experience in indirect capital equipment strategic sourcing with a semiconductor organization

Engineering degree and MBA or JD preferred

Supply chain certifications e.g. CSCP etc.

Contract Negotiation / Vendor & Stakeholder Mgmt. / Influencing skills required

Experience and expertise with sourcing & contracting ERP tools, Agentic AI orchestration and procurement tools and Data analytics tools

Core Competencies

Ability to work well in a high-pace dynamic environment, handle multiple projects simultaneously, and ensure task completion and deadlines are met as required

Demonstrated skills in negotiating and formulating technology contracts, understanding cost models and various price structures, management of contractual, IP and labor law risks

Strong project management, organizational, and analytical skills required

Excellent team facilitation and presentation skills

Proficient with Microsoft Office applications: Excel, Word, PowerPoint

Additional Information

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.