Director, Strategic Sourcing – Contract Manufacturer

Cerebras Systems builds the world's largest AI chip, 56 times larger than GPUs. Our novel wafer-scale architecture provides the AI compute power of dozens of GPUs on a single chip, with the programming simplicity of a single device. This approach allows Cerebras to deliver industry-leading training and inference speeds and empowers machine learning users to effortlessly run large-scale ML applications, without the hassle of managing hundreds of GPUs or TPUs.  

Cerebras' current customers include global corporations across multiple industries, national labs, and top-tier healthcare systems. In January, we announced a multi-year, multi-million-dollar partnership with Mayo Clinic, underscoring our commitment to transforming AI applications across various fields. In August, we launched Cerebras Inference, the fastest Generative AI inference solution in the world, over 10 times faster than GPU-based hyperscale cloud inference services.

Job Summary 

The Director of Strategic Sourcing for Contract Manufacturers is responsible for leading the development and execution of global sourcing strategies for outsourced manufacturing services. This role drives cost optimization, supplier performance, and risk management across the contract manufacturing supply base, ensuring alignment with business objectives and operational excellence. 

 

Key Responsibilities 

Area 

Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership 

Develop and implement global sourcing strategies for contract manufacturers, including EMS providers, to support business growth and cost objectives. 

Supplier Relationship Management 

Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key contract manufacturers; lead negotiations for contracts, pricing, and service level agreements. 

Cost & Value Optimization 

Drive cost reduction and value creation initiatives through should-cost modeling, total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis, and continuous improvement programs. 

Risk & Compliance 

Identify and mitigate supply chain risks; ensure compliance with quality, ethical, and regulatory standards across all contract manufacturers. 

Cross-functional Alignment 

Collaborate with engineering, operations, quality, and finance teams to align sourcing strategies with product development, production, and business goals. 

Market & Industry Intelligence 

Monitor industry trends, technological advancements, and geopolitical factors impacting contract manufacturing; provide strategic recommendations to leadership. 

Performance Metrics 

Establish and track KPIs for supplier performance, cost savings, and supply chain efficiency; report progress to executive leadership. 

 

Qualifications & Skills 

Requirement 

Details 

Education 

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field; MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred. 

Experience 

10+ years in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management, with at least 5 years in contract manufacturing or EMS. 

Industry Knowledge 

Deep understanding of contract manufacturing processes, global supply chain dynamics, and electronics industry trends. 

Leadership 

Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams, managing global suppliers, and driving significant cost savings. 

Negotiation & Communication 

Exceptional negotiation, stakeholder management, and executive presentation skills. 

Tools & Systems 

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