Strategic Sourcing Specialist (IT and Technology Categories)

Job description

Sandisk understands how people and businesses consume data and we relentlessly innovate to deliver solutions that enable today’s needs and tomorrow’s next big ideas. With a rich history of groundbreaking innovations in Flash and advanced memory technologies, our solutions have become the beating heart of the digital world we’re living in and that we have the power to shape. Sandisk meets people and businesses at the intersection of their aspirations and the moment, enabling them to keep moving and pushing possibility forward. We do this through the balance of our powerhouse manufacturing capabilities and our industry-leading portfolio of products that are recognized globally for innovation, performance and quality. Sandisk has two facilities recognized by the World Economic Forum as part of the Global Lighthouse Network for advanced 4IR innovations. These facilities were also recognized as Sustainability Lighthouses for breakthroughs in efficient operations. With our global reach, we ensure the global supply chain has access to the Flash memory it needs to keep our world moving forward. The Strategic Sourcing Specialist is responsible for leading sourcing and procurement activities across Engineering Lab Equipment, IT Hardware, Software, Cloud Services, Information Security technologies, technical products, equipment, electronic components, and related professional services. This role independently manages sourcing projects from business requirements through supplier selection, contract negotiations, and supplier management while delivering measurable value through cost savings, cost avoidance, risk mitigation, and operational improvements. The ideal candidate is a self-directed sourcing professional who can manage multiple sourcing initiatives, develop strong stakeholder relationships, and effectively partner with Engineering, IT, Finance, Legal, and business leaders in a fast-paced technology environment. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Strategic Sourcing & Category Management Lead end-to-end sourcing initiatives for Engineering Lab Equipment, Test & Measurement Equipment, Validation Equipment, Lab Infrastructure, IT Hardware, Enterprise Software, SaaS, Cloud Services, Information Security solutions, and Professional Services. Develop sourcing strategies, competitive bidding events, RFQs, RFIs, and RFPs to identify the best commercial and technical solutions. Conduct supplier evaluations, market assessments, benchmarking analysis, and supplier selection activities. Lead supplier negotiations to achieve business objectives related to cost, quality, delivery, service levels, and commercial terms. Execute sourcing projects from requirements gathering through contract execution and supplier onboarding with minimal supervision. Supplier Relationship Management & Risk Mitigation Identify, qualify, and develop suppliers capable of supporting Engineering, IT, and business requirements. Manage supplier relationships and performance to improve quality, responsiveness, innovation, and overall value delivery. Conduct supplier business reviews and performance assessments to drive continuous improvement initiatives. Identify and mitigate supplier risks including single-source dependencies, supply constraints, long lead-time equipment, cybersecurity risks, and business continuity concerns. Contract Management & Commercial Negotiations Partner with Legal and business stakeholders to negotiate and execute contracts including NDAs, MSAs, SOWs, Software Licensing Agreements, Cloud Agreements, Hardware Purchase Agreements, Maintenance Agreements, and Professional Services Agreements. Ensure agreements contain appropriate commercial protections including service levels, deliverables, acceptance criteria, confidentiality, intellectual property ownership, indemnification, warranty provisions, and termination rights. Drive favorable commercial terms through effective negotiation strategies and market intelligence. Cost Optimization & Financial Analysis Deliver annual cost savings and cost avoidance objectives through strategic sourcing initiatives. Analyze supplier proposals, pricing structures, market benchmarks, and total cost of ownership models to support business decisions. Track and report savings, spending trends, budget performance, and sourcing project outcomes. Develop business cases and sourcing recommendations utilizing data-driven analysis. Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner closely with Engineering, IT, Information Security, Finance, Legal, Operations, and business stakeholders to align sourcing strategies with technical requirements and project timelines. Support procurement activities related to prototype builds, laboratory expansions, technology deployments, cybersecurity initiatives, cloud migrations, and infrastructure investments. Provide sourcing expertise and commercial guidance throughout project planning and execution. Continuous Improvement & Market Intelligence Monitor industry trends, supplier developments, emerging technologies, licensing models, and market conditions to identify opportunities and risks. Drive procurement process improvements, compliance initiatives, supplier governance activities, and sourcing best practices. Prepare and present sourcing recommendations, supplier performance updates, savings results, risk assessments, and project status reports to management. REQUIRED: Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Finance, Information Systems, Computer Science, or a related field. 5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, category management, supply chain, or supplier management. Experience independently managing sourcing projects and supplier negotiations. Experience sourcing one or more of the following categories:Engineering Lab Equipment Test and Measurement Equipment Validation and Prototype Equipment IT Hardware and Infrastructure Enterprise Software SaaS Applications Cloud Services Information Security Technologies Professional Services Strong negotiation skills with demonstrated commercial results. Experience working with global stakeholders and suppliers across multiple regions and time zones. Strong analytical, financial modeling, cost analysis, and supplier management capabilities. Ability to influence stakeholders and communicate effectively with engineering, technical, and business teams. Experience using procurement and ERP platforms such as SAP, Oracle, Ariba or similar systems. Experience utilizing analytics and reporting tools such as Power BI, Tableau, Excel, or equivalent platforms. PREFERRED: Proven ability to deliver measurable cost savings, cost avoidance, supplier performance improvements, and risk reduction initiatives. MBA or Master's Degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, Information Systems, or related discipline. Professional certifications such as CPSM, CSCP, CPM, PMP, or equivalent. Experience in semiconductor, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, high-tech, or product development environments. Experience sourcing Engineering Lab Equipment, Test Equipment, IT Infrastructure, Enterprise Software, Cloud Services, and Cybersecurity technologies. Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) and new technology development Work Locations: Sandisk Milpitas Office: 951 Sandisk Dr, Milpitas, CA 95035 or Sandisk Irvine Office: 3355 Michelson Drive, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92612 Sandisk is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person’s gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth),