The Senior Strategic Network Sourcing Manager will be responsible for managing optical connectivity products for Microsoft Data Centers which include Direct Attach Cables, Active Optical Cables, Parallel Transceiver Optics, Long Reach Transceivers and Data Center Interconnect Optics. We are looking for a highly motivated and self-driven individual who is eager to impact and guide the industry with a passion for new business and technology trends. The individual must have technical and business acumen capable of interfacing with engineering and operational disciplines within Microsoft and be able to lead supplier relationships in a highly dynamic environment. This role requires the ability to learn the organization quickly and develop strong relationships with key stakeholders in order to accelerate impact and productive change to the business

Responsibilities

• Develop, execute and own the Optics sourcing strategy inclusive of supplier selection/development, technology adoption, supplier relationship management, industry and supplier trend analysis, supply management and other key success criteria
• Foster a partnership with engineering & business partners to identify/influence design and technology selection
• Guide the industry to anticipate and execute roadmaps in congruence with Microsoft’s roadmaps and direction
• Drive supplier overall performance in terms of technology adoption and development support, continuity and assurance of supply, environmental compliance, security, on-time delivery, cost and overall capability to enable Microsoft’s success
• Ensure creation of robust negotiation strategies and cost targets through understanding of market dynamics, benchmarks and cost trends. Create forward looking cost projections and measure performance to actuals
• Serve as the escalation point for supplier issues involving business impacting issues such as supply availability, service level, contract adherence, quality and other critical items

Qualifications

• Self-Starter with inquisitive nature capable of identifying improvement opportunities in a dynamic and ambiguous environment while providing structure and organizational leadership to drive transformational change.
• Critical thinking with the ability to connect high level strategies to operational deliverables as well as the impact of changes in either direction
• Confident leading high visibility projects with cross-functional stakeholders and effectively leveraging available resources to drive results
• Embraces continuous improvement and new ways of doing things with a focused, data driven approach
• Strong communication and collaboration skills – strong written and verbal communications. Ability to document and speak to business requirements for both technical and business consumption.
• Team player able to contribute effectively to the work of others

Skills and qualifications

• Proven record in leadership with ability to effectively communicate, collaborate and direct across internal organizations & external partners to drive the right decisions for Microsoft
• Ability to present negotiation strategy at executive level, recommended negotiation positions and successfully negotiate with vendors to achieve desired positions.
• Communicates category vision and strategies to internal stakeholders and accountable for business results, including budget impact.
• Basic knowledge and experience in supply chain environmental compliance & supply chain security
• Work independently to balance multiple tasks and competing priorities simultaneously
• Effectively lead cross-organizational meetings and guide stakeholders to consensus decisions best for Microsoft
• Exhibit sound judgment in terms of balancing business trade-offs
• Ability to effectively communicate and present to all levels of vendor and Microsoft management

Basic qualifications:

• 5 or more years of strategic sourcing with previous engineering or operation experience
• Understanding of optical product cost modeling involving material costs, capital expenditures, operational expenses, R&D expenses and other related costs
• Previous demonstrated ability of developing sourcing strategy, RFP/RFQ processes and making strategic award recommendations
• Ability to negotiate commercial terms and conditions (vendor master agreements, service agreements and statements of work)
• Basic knowledge and experience in supply chain environmental compliance and supply chain security

Experience required:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Understanding of optical product supply chain & manufacturing process desired
• Supply chain & delivery management experience is preferred
• Experience working with global supply base and recognizing cultural differences
• Experience with optical communications technology or knowledge preferred

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.  We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

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