Applied Materials, Inc

Strategic Sourcing Manager - IT

Applied Materials, Inc • $124K — $171K *
Austin, TX 78745In-Person
Information Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
Be an Early Applicant
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Finance, or related field.
  • 7+ years of strategic sourcing, procurement, or commercial contract negotiation experience.
  • Proven experience leading complex sourcing events and negotiating high-value agreements.
  • Strong commercial acumen with expertise in TCO analysis and benchmarking.
  • Ability to manage multiple stakeholders in a global, matrixed environment.

Responsibilities

  • Lead complex Tier 2 sourcing engagements with accountability for delivery quality and cycle time.
  • Translate category strategy into executable sourcing plans and event strategies.
  • Drive project governance from intake through award to ensure documentation consistency.
  • Develop negotiation strategies and lead supplier negotiations for value outcomes.
  • Manage sourcing pipelines and prioritize activities based on complexity and business impact.

Benefits

  • Flexible work arrangements with time-off policies.
  • Access to professional development and training resources.
  • Opportunities for participation in bonus and stock award programs.
  • Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
  • Global presence with diverse team collaboration opportunities.
Full Job Description
Strategic Sourcing Manager

Global Sourcing & Procurement (GSP) | Global Category & Sourcing

Role Summary

The Strategic Sourcing Manager is a senior individual contributor responsible for leading complex, high-judgment sourcing engagements aligned to approved Category Strategies. This role converts strategy into executable sourcing wave plans, drives negotiation and commercial outcomes, and raises execution quality across the Sourcing Center of Excellence (SCoE) through coaching, playbooks, and standards. The role operates in a center-led model that balances global strategy with regional nuance, delivering measurable value, an improved stakeholder experience, and proactive risk management.

Mission Alignment (GSP "Definition of Winning")

  • Value Capture: deliver holistic value (cost reduction/avoidance, speed, quality, and operational effectiveness).


  • Client Journey: deliver a seamless stakeholder experience with clear ownership, predictable cycle times, and reduced friction.


  • Risk Management: proactively identify, assess, and mitigate third-party and supply risks within sourcing and contracting activities.


  • Optimize Capability: strengthen procurement capability through standards, coaching, and adoption of digital/AI-enabled ways of working.


Key Responsibilities

1) Strategic Sourcing Execution (Tiered Delivery)

  • Lead and execute Tier 2 sourcing engagements (complex/cross-regional/repeatable) with accountability for delivery quality, leverage, and cycle time.


  • Support Tier 1 sourcing engagements by providing sourcing leadership, RFx architecture, analytics, and negotiation support within category guardrails.


  • Translate category strategy into executable sourcing wave plans and event strategies (RFIs/RFPs/RFQs, auctions, market tests, negotiation approach).


  • Drive disciplined project governance from intake through award and handoff; ensure consistent documentation and audit trail.


2) Commercial & Negotiation Leadership

  • Develop fact-based negotiation strategies (TCO, should-cost, benchmarking) and lead supplier negotiations to deliver approved value outcomes.


  • Partner with Category Management on positioning, trade-offs, and escalation decisions when supplier, value, or risk profiles change.


  • Coordinate contract strategy with Contracting CoE/Legal; ensure use of templates, playbooks, and approved fallback positions for standard terms.


  • Support Value Capture governance (e.g., baseline/benchmark alignment and savings outcome validation) in partnership with Finance.


3) Pipeline & Delivery Management

  • Manage assigned sourcing pipelines aligned to category wave plans; prioritize work by complexity, risk, business criticality, and enterprise value.


  • Anticipate capacity constraints and proactively coordinate resourcing with SCoE leadership to protect cycle time and stakeholder commitments.


  • Track progress, identify blockers, and drive rapid escalation/resolution; ensure transparency through dashboards, cadence reviews, and status updates.


4) SCoE Enablement, Coaching & Quality Assurance

  • Coach and mentor SCoE practitioners on category-specific execution standards, negotiation tactics, and stakeholder communications.


  • Own continuous refinement of sourcing playbooks, templates, scorecards, and QA standards; ensure global consistency with room for regional nuance.


  • Build repeatable sourcing capabilities (training, lessons learned, knowledge base contributions) and strengthen the internal talent pipeline.


5) Stakeholder Partnership & Cross-Functional Leadership

  • Serve as the primary sourcing execution interface for Category Leaders and key stakeholders during active sourcing initiatives.


  • Drive alignment across cross-functional partners (Legal, Finance, Risk/TPRM, Operations) to accelerate decisions and reduce handoffs.


  • Support stakeholder engagement practices (BRM/SRM execution in partnership with the central program offices) with consistent messaging and value storytelling.


6) Governance, Compliance & Risk Controls

  • Embed policy adherence, sourcing governance, and risk controls into sourcing work (supplier due diligence, TPRM triggers, compliance checkpoints).


  • Ensure sourcing work is executed using approved buying channels and standard processes; minimize exceptions and document rationale when needed.


  • Escalate risks early (supply continuity, regulatory/compliance, cyber/operations, financial health) and coordinate mitigation plans with risk owners.


7) Digital, Analytics & AI-Enabled Ways of Working

  • Leverage eSourcing, contract lifecycle management, and analytics tools to drive faster cycle times and better decision quality.


  • Adopt AI-enabled approaches for research, drafting, analysis, and workflow acceleration while maintaining governance and controls.


  • Identify automation opportunities for low-value work and partner with Process/Technology teams to scale improvements.


Qualifications

Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Finance, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).


  • 7+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, category execution, or commercial contract negotiations.


  • Proven track record leading complex sourcing events (RFx/auctions), negotiating high-value agreements, and delivering measurable outcomes.


  • Strong commercial acumen including TCO/should-cost analysis, benchmarking, and the ability to translate insights into negotiation strategy.


  • Ability to operate effectively in a global, matrixed environment with multiple stakeholders and time zones.


Preferred

  • Experience in semiconductor or high-tech indirect procurement environments (facilities, IT, technical services, labor/services, or adjacent categories).


  • Experience working in/with center-led procurement operating models and shared service/CoE delivery engines.


  • Professional certifications (e.g., CPSM, CIPS, CPM) and/or MBA/MS in a relevant discipline.


  • Demonstrated change leadership and process improvement experience (Lean/Six Sigma, design thinking, or similar).


Core Competencies (What "Great" Looks Like)

  • Strategic sourcing leadership: designs the right sourcing approach for the business problem; balances speed with rigor.


  • Negotiation excellence: drives outcomes through preparation, fact-base, and influence; manages trade-offs inside guardrails.


  • Stakeholder leadership: earns trust as a commercial advisor; communicates crisply; manages escalations without drama.


  • Analytical strength: builds and explains cost models; sees patterns; uses data to make decisions and challenge assumptions.


  • Governance & risk discipline: protects Applied through compliance, documentation, and proactive risk identification.


  • Coaching mindset: raises capability of the broader team through standards, QA, and mentorship.


Success Measures (Sample)

  • Value delivery: verified cost savings/cost avoidance and other quantified value outcomes aligned to category value targets.


  • Cycle time & service levels: improved sourcing/contracting cycle times and predictable delivery performance against SLAs.


  • Compliance & risk: high policy adherence, strong audit readiness, and effective risk mitigation actions for key engagements.


  • Stakeholder experience: improved satisfaction and reduced friction through clear ownership, communication, and speed.


  • Capability uplift: measurable improvement in SCoE execution quality and adoption of standards, playbooks, and tools.


Additional Information

Time Type:
Full time

Employee Type:
Assignee / Regular

Travel:
Yes, 25% of the Time

Relocation Eligible:
No

The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.

For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.

About Applied Materials, Inc

Applied Materials specialize in materials engineering solutions. They optimize equipment and fab operations through consulting, spare parts, services, and automation software. They also provide supply chain services from transactional spares through programs, rebuilds, and forecasted parts management. Their products and technologies include semiconductors, displays, roll web coating, solar, and automation software.

**Applied Materials, Inc. Careers**

Join the innovative world of Applied Materials, Inc., a leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. Our global team is driving innovation and growth in the industries we serve. This is where your expertise can make a true impact.

Work You’ll Do

At Applied Materials, Inc., you will be part of a company that prides itself on fostering a culture of innovation, diversity, and professional growth. As a member of our team, you will lead groundbreaking projects at the intersection of technology, leadership, and engineering excellence. We offer a variety of job opportunities that allow you to explore your potential and push the boundaries of what's possible.

Innovate and Lead

Join a team where innovation is at the heart of everything we do. You will work alongside the brightest minds in the industry, utilizing your skills to contribute to projects that are not only exciting but also crucial for technological advancements. Our leadership is committed to providing you with the guidance and support needed to achieve your career goals.

Career Growth and Opportunities

Whether you are looking for an internship, a full-time position, or leadership roles, Applied Materials, Inc. provides an array of career paths to help you achieve your professional aspirations. Our commitment to career growth is evident through extensive training programs and opportunities for advancement.

Diversity and Inclusion

At Applied Materials, Inc., we believe that diversity fuels innovation. We are dedicated to building a diverse team that reflects the global communities we serve. Our diversity training programs are designed to enhance collaboration and foster an inclusive environment where all employees can thrive.

Benefits and Culture

Our employees enjoy a range of benefits that support both their professional and personal lives. From health and wellness programs to competitive retirement plans, we ensure that our team is taken care of. The culture at Applied Materials, Inc. is built on collaboration, respect, and a commitment to excellence.

Join Our Team

Explore the job opportunities at Applied Materials, Inc. and find the position that matches your skills and passions. We are continuously hiring and looking for individuals who are curious, creative, and ready to drive innovation in a dynamic industry.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest company news, career tips, and industry insights by joining our network. Engage with us on professional networking platforms and stay ahead in your career journey.

Apply Now

Ready to take the next step in your career? Submit your resume, prepare for your interview, and join a team that’s dedicated to materializing the technologies of tomorrow. Discover the impact you can make at Applied Materials, Inc. and help us shape the future.

SEARCH APPLIED MATERIALS JOBS

--- This page for Applied Materials, Inc. Careers incorporates all the requested elements, maintaining the "Company Content Style" with a focus on innovation, career growth, and the dynamic team environment.
Learn more about Applied Materials, Inc
Size
27,000 employees
Market Cap
$80.7 billion
Industry
Manufacturing & Automotive
Net Income
$3.8 billion
Founded
1967
5 Year Trend
+11.9%
Revenue
$18.2 billion
NASDAQ
AMAT
* Ladders Estimates

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