Senior Associate - Commodity Specialist

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.

The Global Commodity Specialist provides operational and day-to-day support for assigned commodity categories within Ciena's global supply chain organization. This role is responsible for supporting supplier management activities, improving supply continuity, maintaining commodity data accuracy, enabling procurement compliance, and driving effective execution across supplier-facing processes.

The successful candidate will act as a key liaison between suppliers and internal stakeholders including Commodity Management, Planning, NPI, Manufacturing, Supplier Quality, Finance, and Operations. This role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-technology manufacturing environment.

How You Will Make an Impact:

• Monitor supplier delivery performance and proactively identify, track, and resolve material shortages that may impact supply continuity.
• Collaborate with suppliers, planning teams, manufacturing partners, and commodity managers to mitigate supply risks and expedite critical deliveries.
• Support supplier recovery planning and escalation activities to minimize production disruptions and improve supplier responsiveness.
• Execute end-to-end supplier onboarding activities, including supplier qualification, documentation, compliance requirements, approvals, and ERP system setup.
• Coordinate with Quality, Engineering, Legal, Finance, Master Data, and Procurement teams to ensure supplier readiness and timely activation.
• Maintain supplier pricing information, process approved cost changes, and ensure alignment with contractual agreements and procurement policies.
• Coordinate RFQs for new business opportunities, engineering changes, dual-source initiatives, and cost reduction projects.
• Consolidate supplier quotations, perform preliminary commercial analysis, and support sourcing recommendations.
• Support the preparation of supplier business reviews, scorecards, KPI dashboards, delivery performance metrics, cost analysis, capacity assessments, and risk evaluations.
• Monitor supplier contract compliance, pricing agreements, service levels, delivery commitments, and sourcing governance requirements.
• Support execution of commodity strategies by maintaining supplier profiles, commodity dashboards, spend reports, and market intelligence.
• Assist with supplier risk assessments, sourcing projects, engineering changes, and New Product Introduction (NPI) activities.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, automation, digitalization, and operational efficiency across procurement and supplier management processes.
• Participate in cross-functional continuous improvement and transformation initiatives.

The Must Haves:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Experience: 3+ years of experience in supply chain, procurement, sourcing, commodity management, supplier management, or related functions.
• Experience supporting global suppliers within a high-technology manufacturing environment.
• Experience working within cross-functional and global organizations.
• Demonstrated experience managing supply shortages, supplier engagement, and delivery performance challenges.
• Knowledge of RFQ processes, quotation analysis, procurement operations, and supplier management activities.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Power BI, PowerPoint, and AI-enabled productivity tools such as Microsoft Copilot.
• Experience utilizing enterprise platforms such as Oracle, Agile, Kinaxis, or equivalent supply chain and procurement systems.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work effectively across multiple functions and regions.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results in a dynamic business environment.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Nice to Haves:

• APICS/ASCM, ISM, CPSM, CPM, or equivalent supply chain certification.
• Experience supporting electronics, telecommunications, networking, semiconductor, contract manufacturing, or related industries.
• Knowledge of commodity management principles and strategic sourcing practices.
• Experience developing supplier scorecards, KPI dashboards, and performance reporting.
• Understanding of cost modeling, pricing analysis, spend management, and procurement analytics.
• Knowledge of demand planning, supply planning, and supplier risk management methodologies.
• Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) sourcing activities and engineering change implementation.
• Familiarity with supplier quality systems, ISO standards, and compliance requirements.
• Experience participating in procurement transformation, process standardization, automation, or digitalization initiatives.

Success in This Role Looks Like:

• Timely onboarding and activation of suppliers.
• Effective resolution and management of material shortages and supply risks.
• Strong supplier delivery performance and supply continuity.
• Accurate and compliant pricing, contract, and procurement data management.
• On-time RFQ execution and sourcing support.
• High-quality supplier performance reporting and business review preparation.
• Improved procurement efficiency through process improvements and automation initiatives.
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder satisfaction across the supply chain organization.
  

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At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard.  Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.

Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.