Job DescriptionGlobal Category Manager, FoundryThe Sr. Lead Global Category Manager - Foundry is responsible for defining and executing the global sourcing and supply strategy for assigned semiconductor commodities (e.g. Foundry). The GCM serves as the strategic owner of the category, ensuring long-term supply continuity, supplier competitiveness, technology alignment, and risk mitigation in support of Sandisk's customer commitments and business growth objectives. The role leads strategic supplier engagement, develops category roadmaps, drives sourcing decisions, and collaborates with Engineering, Operations, Finance, Planning, Supplier Quality, and Program teams to secure sustainable supply solutions.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Category Strategy & Business Planning- Develop and maintain multi-year category strategies aligned with corporate objectives, product roadmaps, and customer demand forecasts.
- Analyze market conditions, supplier capabilities, capacity trends, technology roadmaps, geopolitical risks, and industry developments to guide sourcing decisions.
- Establish sourcing strategies that balance cost, supply assurance, technology leadership, and risk management.
- Lead category business reviews and provide executive updates regarding supply outlook, risks, and strategic initiatives
Supply Continuity & Risk Management- Own long-term supply continuity planning for assigned semiconductor categories.
- Drive supplier commitment strategies to support Sandisk's transition toward multi-year customer commitments.
- Lead risk identification, mitigation planning, allocation strategies, capacity reservation discussions, and business continuity planning.
- Escalate and drive resolution of strategic supply constraints with executive stakeholders and suppliers.
Supplier Relationship Management- Serve as the executive relationship owner for strategic semiconductor suppliers.
- Lead supplier negotiations covering commercial agreements, long-term capacity commitments, strategic investments, pricing frameworks, and supply assurance programs.
- Conduct Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and supplier performance assessments.
- Develop supplier roadmaps aligned with technology and business requirements.
Strategic Sourcing & Qualification- Lead sourcing recommendations for new programs and strategic component selections.
- Drive alternate source strategies, second-source qualifications, and supplier diversification initiatives.
- Partner with Engineering and NPI Procurement to influence sourcing decisions early in the product design cycle.
- Support value engineering initiatives focused on cost optimization, supply resilience, and technology competitiveness.
Commercial Management- Own strategic commercial negotiations for assigned semiconductor commodities.
- Lead cost reduction initiatives, supplier productivity programs, and long-term cost competitiveness strategies.
- Approve and manage PPV-related decisions and category-level cost performance reporting where applicable.
- Negotiate and support execution of NDAs, MSAs, SOWs, LTAs, LOAs, and other commercial agreements.
Cross-Functional Leadership- Partner closely with:
- Engineering and Platform Architecture
- NPI Procurement
- Planning and Material Management
- Supplier Quality
- Operations and Manufacturing
- Finance
- Program Management
- Provide strategic direction to Category Managers and Global Buyers responsible for tactical supplier execution.
Key Deliverables- Multi-year category strategy and roadmap
- Supply continuity plans supporting customer commitments
- Capacity and allocation management framework
- Strategic supplier relationship plans
- Second-source and qualification strategies
- Executive risk mitigation and escalation plans
- Commercial negotiation outcomes and savings initiatives
- Market intelligence and supplier technology
Decision AuthorityThe Global Category Manager is accountable for:
- Category strategy and roadmap development
- Strategic sourcing recommendations
- Strategic supplier engagement and executive escalation
- Long-term supplier commitments and capacity planning
- Category-level risk management and mitigation
- Commercial negotiation strategy and major supplier agreements
- Cross-functional alignment on sourcing and supply
QualificationsREQUIRED:- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related discipline; MBA preferred.
- 10+ years of semiconductor sourcing, category management, supply chain, procurement, or supplier management experience.
- Strong understanding of semiconductor manufacturing ecosystems, especially foundry.
- Experience managing executive-level supplier relationships and complex negotiations.
- Strong analytical, financial, and risk management capabilities.
- Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams and lead through ambiguity.
- Experience managing strategic supply continuity programs and high-impact business risks.
Compensation & Benefits Details- An employee's pay position within the salary range may be based on several factors including but not limited to (1) relevant education; qualifications; certifications; and experience; (2) skills, ability, knowledge of the job; (3) performance, contribution and results; (4) geographic location; (5) shift; (6) internal and external equity; and (7) business and organizational needs.
- The salary range is what we believe to be the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in California, Colorado, New York or remote jobs that can be performed in California, Colorado and New York. This range may be modified in the future.
- You will be eligible to participate in Sandisk's Short-Term Incentive (STI) Plan, which provides incentive awards based on Company and individual performance. Depending on your role and your performance, you may be eligible to participate in our annual Long-Term Incentive (LTI) program, which consists of restricted stock units (RSUs) or cash equivalents, pursuant to the terms of the LTI plan. Please note that not all roles are eligible to participate in the LTI program, and not all roles are eligible for equity under the LTI plan. RSU awards are also available to eligible new hires, subject to Sandisk's Standard Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock Unit Awards.
- We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid vacation time; paid sick leave; medical/dental/vision insurance; life, accident and disability insurance; tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts; employee assistance program; other voluntary benefit programs such as supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity; tuition reimbursement; transit; the Applause Program, employee stock purchase plan, and the Sandisk's Savings 401(k) Plan.
- Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company's sole discretion, consistent with the law.
