Director, Data Center Passive Materials NPI

Stand up and operate the passive materials NPI pipeline: intake → prioritize → spec → qualify → supplier readiness → standards → catalog/BOM integration → forecasting enablement → release gates → rollout adoption.

Drive “first-time-right” readiness for new builds and transitions (including multi‑planar and new fabrics), reducing reactive shortages and supplemental BOMs.

Implement and operationalize a passive kit completeness gate (Rack Template ↔ BOM ↔ Cut Sheet/Patch Matrix), including enforcement mechanisms and measurable compliance.

Ensure rack SKU “kit-of-parts” definitions include ride‑along kit contents and are integrated into BOM tooling and build readiness checklists.

Establish clear RACI and operating cadence across Design, Networking, Automation, HOM/SCO, Demand Planning, Delivery, and external partners/LVVs where applicable.

Create governance for standards and templates: versioning, sign-off, audits, and change control.

Identify and land OCI-driven improvements not tied to fabric changes (e.g., new panels/hardware, cable labeling/color/serialization practices, kitting/packaging improvements, selective prefab), with measurable outcomes (time-to-deploy, defect reduction).

Own the Top Constrained Passive Parts program: alternate qualification strategy, supplier capacity/ramp plans, risk mitigation, and conversion into orderable/catalog-ready parts.

Partner with Automation/Tooling teams to translate standards/kit logic into scalable software capabilities (validation APIs, checksum/reconciliation, dashboards, exception workflows).

Drive visibility with exec-ready metrics and dashboards (supplemental BOM rate, kit completeness pass rate, forecast late adds, build stop incidents).

10+ years (or equivalent) leading cross-functional programs and a team of HW/SW/NW engineers in NPI, supply chain readiness, infra hardware, data center deployment, or network/optical systems.

Demonstrated leadership of programs spanning software systems + physical infrastructure (e.g., tooling, data models, validation workflows).

Strong working knowledge of fiber/optical structured cabling concepts (MPO/LC ecosystems, polarity/keying, fanout/termination architectures, intra‑rack vs inter‑rack practices).

Proven ability to drive alignment across engineering, operations, sourcing, and suppliers; ability to set process guardrails and enforce release readiness.

Experience with data center network deployments (leaf/spine, fabric transitions, high-density rack builds) and understanding of rack-level constructability.

Familiarity with BOM/cut sheet/patch matrix workflows and the failure modes that cause build stops (template gaps, ownership ambiguity, late adds inside lead time).

Experience implementing release gates, catalog readiness controls, or “orderable + buildable” readiness checks for new parts.

Background in supplier qualification, alternates strategy, and forecasting enablement for long-lead materials.

Experience driving “build acceleration” improvements (prefab/kitting, labeling standards, error-proofing practices).