Director, Optics Procurement

Lead the Optics Procurement organization for the DND business, responsible for developing and executing global sourcing, supplier, and commodity strategies for optical components, fiber connectivity, cable assemblies, transceivers, interconnect solutions, and related direct materials. The leader will partner closely with plant procurement, engineering, product management, quality, operations, supply chain, and corporate procurement to ensure supplier readiness, competitive cost, assurance of supply, technology alignment, and flawless execution of new product introductions. A key priority will be to build a resilient and scalable optics supply base, drive localization where appropriate, support capacity expansion, and strengthen supplier performance across quality, delivery, cost, innovation, and risk management. The candidate must demonstrate strong executive presence, commercial acumen, technical curiosity, and the ability to lead globally distributed teams while scaling scope over time. The leader will follow the SET (Strategy, Execution, Talent) framework to manage the business.

Job Requirements

• Lead the development and execution of global sourcing strategies for optics commodities, including optical components, fiber connectivity, cable assemblies, transceivers, and related direct materials.
• Mitigate risks related to commodity price fluctuations.
• Identify and develop new suppliers in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Identify risks, opportunities, and underperforming suppliers; implement corrective actions to mitigate risks and ensure continuous improvement.
• Addressing Business Growth and Market Demands
• Improving Procurement Efficiency and Reducing Costs
• Accelerating Decision-Making and Market Adaptability
• Building/developing Strategic Supplier Management / Long-Term Partnerships/ supplier strategy
• This position will strengthen strategic partnerships with key suppliers with multi skills
• Monitor optics market dynamics, technology trends, capacity constraints, and supplier roadmaps so the business can proactively plan for changes in demand, cost, and supply risk.
• Drive material localization, dual sourcing, and supplier development initiatives to strengthen supply continuity, reduce cost, and improve delivery flexibility.
• Lead procurement integration activities related to M&A, new supplier onboarding, and business expansion in optics-related product lines.
• Implement a comprehensive resiliency program for critical optics suppliers, working closely with supply chain, quality, engineering, and operations.
• Execute competitive bidding, negotiation, contracting, and supplier selection processes for optics direct materials.
• Lead negotiations with suppliers covering price, volume, delivery, quality, lead time, inventory, capacity commitments, and technology support.
• Collaborate with design engineering, manufacturing, and product management to support NPI execution, define optics material requirements, evaluate supplier capabilities, and drive cost reduction.
• Serve as the escalation point for supplier delivery, capacity, quality, and commercial issues, and secure favorable resolutions for TE.
• Report and drive key TE supply chain metrics, including delivery performance, commercial productivity, supplier quality, and resiliency indicators.
• Communicate with Sales, Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain to reduce supply risk and align procurement priorities with customer and business requirements.
• Ensure optics direct materials are sourced in full compliance with TE policies, procedures, and procurement guidelines.
• Enforce company and functional processes, policies, and safety regulations; provide coaching and discipline as appropriate.
• Oversee and delegate team workloads, ensuring projects and assignments achieve business goals and timelines.
• Assess organizational capability, staffing needs, succession plans, selection, training, and development requirements.
• Develop, coach, and build a high-performing, engaged, and globally connected procurement team.
• Instill a global mindset, strategic thinking, and data-driven decision making across the organization.
• Act as a change agent to challenge the status quo and drive procurement transformation where needed.

What your background should look like

• Experience of scaling business rapidly
• Experience with high clock speed business
• Preferred, but not required - good network with global suppliers including Optics
• Strong ability to influence stakeholders in a matrix organisation
• Experience working in a high productivity environment and exposed to best-in-class supply chain practices
• Able to understand and assimilate different cultures.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and planning skills, with demonstrated ability to lead global and cross-functional teams.
• Strong financial and business acumen, including cost modeling, total cost of ownership, productivity tracking, and supplier negotiation strategy.
• Strong technical understanding of optics-related commodities, supplier capabilities, manufacturing processes, quality requirements, and emerging technology trends.
• Strong communication skills and ability to influence senior stakeholders, suppliers, engineering teams, and manufacturing leaders.
• Proven ability to evaluate team performance, workforce requirements, talent selection, training, coaching, and succession planning.
• Good understanding of end-to-end new product development and new product introduction cycles in a technology-driven manufacturing environment.
• Excellent negotiation and leadership skills, proactive team orientation, strong ownership mindset, and goal-oriented execution style.
• Experience working with integrated manufacturing, planning, and procurement systems, including ERP, MRP, supplier portals, analytics, and reporting tools.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or related discipline required.
• 10+ years of experience in procurement, supply chain, operations, or strategic sourcing, preferably in optics, electronics, connectivity, cable assemblies, or related technology manufacturing industries.
• 5+ years of people management experience, including leading managers or globally distributed sourcing teams.
• Global supplier management and cross-regional business exposure required.Graduate degree in business, supply chain, or engineering, including MBA or equivalent, preferred

Competencies