Sr. Director, Cost Management & Contracts

Company Description

At Western Digital, our history is rich. Our customer-base is prolific. Our patent portfolio is one of the most valuable in the world. And, we are charting an exciting future as we “Create what’s next.” It’s an opportunity-rich time to be at Western Digital (WDC), and it’s through our mission of unlocking the potential of data by harnessing the possibility to use it that we’ll achieve our purpose of being the world’s iconic data storage company. At the core of this digital transformation is a focus on human potential. Be part of the People Solutions (Human Resources) team leading the way for how we attract, develop, and engage talent to live out our values of thinking big, creating possibility, making it happen, and doing it together.

It’s through cutting edge technologies that position us as a leading innovator in data storage that impact the lives of billions of people every day. Join the People Solutions leadership team, as VP, People & Business Partner, providing strategic people consultation to the leaders of our Flash Business and Technology & Strategy group. In this role, you will report to the Chief People & Inclusion Officer and lead a team of People Partners. You will partner with the business to execute and realize the goals of our people strategy and support the strategic direction of the talent development and enablement needs of a fast-changing industry and global workforce.

Job Description

As the Senior Director of Cost Management & Contract Negotiations, you will play a vital role in managing and optimizing our supplier cost through robust cost management projections and contract negotiations. Your responsibilities will include developing and implementing strategies to effectively project and manage supplier cost performance, project impact of cost risk, and create a best-in-class contract negotiations play book to ensure supplier cost risks and saving opportunities are part of supplier contract negotiations. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to drive improvements, lead the change management, streamline processes, and enhance financial & business performance.

• Single Source of Truth on Spending and Saving: Provide consistent data and calculations for supplier should cost spending & savings for each supplier and commodity group to support quarter-to-quarter analytics and projections. Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to ensure data and projections are accurate and complete.

• Procurement Cost Outlook: Govern the Direct Material (DM) Cost Management Process across each vertical in Western Digital, and partner with finance on cost and savings projections. Ensure the DM commodity teams understand and follow the process for Quarterly cost submissions and weekly cost fluctuation inputs.

• Cost model: Execute cost model for all services and items Western Digital purchases to ensure spend is appropriately forecasted. Ensure the majority of spend is covered and compliant with the cost model. Work and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including commodity managers and finance to establish action plans to prevent cost risks and address areas that have projected impacts to minimize western Digital’s exposure.

• Contract Negotiation & Management: Create a best-in-class Contract Negotiations Play Book to ensure cost risks and saving opportunities are part of the negotiations. Create a contract repository with a robust Supplier On-Boarding and Off-Boarding processes.

• Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including finance, procurement, sourcing, commodity managers, business units, and operations, to align on cost projects and recovery plans. Foster strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to drive performance improvement.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a supplier cost management strategic plans that align with the company's overall business goals.

• Assess and prioritize supplier cost risks and opportunities and develop plans to improve or sustain performance.

• Identify, collaborate, and implement tools to help expedite should cost projections and improvement plans.

• Lead change management efforts to ensure that all stakeholders are on board with the supplier cost projections, and improvement plans.

• Implement and deploy a Best-In-Class Contract Negotiation Playbook and work with key stakeholders to get it fully deployed and then measure effectiveness.

• Support supplier negotiations with where applicable to ensure all

· Provide insights to the business on how to improve supplier relationships

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Business Management or Supply Chain with demonstrated financial acumen, or a related field (advanced degree preferred).

· Strong leadership and team management abilities, with a track record