Category Manager Capital Equipment

Company 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.

Job Description

The Category Manager is responsible for sourcing Assembly & Packaging equipment used in the manufacturing of Flash memory storage devices. The scope of this position covers supplier management, sourcing execution, contract management, cost optimization, risk management, supplier escalation management, and market intelligence. The manager will collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Planning, Finance, Quality, and Legal teams to support business objectives and technology roadmaps.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Sourcing Strategy Development

• Execute sourcing strategies aligned with business and technology requirements.
• Support equipment sourcing activities from requirement definition through supplier selection and commercial award.
• Conduct supplier evaluations, benchmarking, and market analysis to identify sourcing opportunities.
• Analyze market trends and supplier capabilities to support business decisions.

B. Supplier Relationships & Contract Management

• Manage supplier relationships to ensure reliable supply and strong business partnerships.
• Lead commercial negotiations covering pricing, payment terms, warranty, service support, and spare parts.
• Manage contracts, renewals, and supplier performance reviews.
• Support supplier development and continuous improvement initiatives.

C. Cost Optimization

• Conduct cost analysis and benchmarking to identify savings opportunities.
• Drive cost reduction, cost avoidance, and productivity improvement initiatives.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to achieve procurement and business savings targets.

D. Risk Management, Escalation & Supply Continuity

• Identify supply chain risks and develop mitigation plans to ensure continuity of supply.
• Lead supplier escalations involving:
  • Equipment delivery delays
  • Spare parts shortages
  • Service support issues
  • Warranty claims
  • Supplier non-responsiveness
  • EOL/EOS support risks
  • Production-impacting or line-down situations
• Drive recovery plans and corrective actions with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Support Business Continuity Planning (BCP) activities for critical equipment and suppliers.

E. Market Research & Intelligence

• Monitor industry trends, supplier performance, and technology developments.
• Identify alternative suppliers and sourcing opportunities.
• Provide updates on market conditions and potential impacts to sourcing strategies.

F. Collaboration with Internal Stakeholders

• Work closely with Engineering, Operations, Planning, Finance, Quality, and Legal to support sourcing activities.
• Participate in supplier reviews, equipment councils, and sourcing governance activities.
• Ensure alignment between sourcing activities, business priorities, and technology roadmaps.

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of industry experience in semiconductor or electronics manufacturing.
• 5+ years of experience in Strategic sourcing & Procurement of capital equipment used to manufacture semiconductor or electronic devices.

PREFERRED:

• Experience sourcing Assembly & Packaging equipment for Flash Memory, DRAM, or Semiconductor manufacturing.
• Understanding of equipment suppliers supporting the Memory industry.
• Experience with supplier escalations, risk mitigation, and business continuity planning.

SKILLS:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management capabilities.
• Ability to manage supplier escalations and drive issue resolution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications: Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Additional Information

Sandisk 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.

Sandisk 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@sandisk.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: Sandisk has received reports of scams where a payment is requested on Sandisk’s behalf as a condition for receiving an offer of employment. Please be aware that Sandisk 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 Sandisk Ethics Helpline or email compliance@sandisk.com.