Who We Are
Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips â the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world â like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world.Â
What We Offer
Salary:
$108,000.00 - $148,500.00Location:
Austin,TXYouâll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possibleâwhile learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more.Â
At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. Weâre committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits.Â
Strategic Sourcing Manager
Role Summary
The Strategic Sourcing Manager is a senior individual contributor responsible for leading complex, highâjudgment 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 roleoperatesin a centerâled model that balances global strategy with regional nuance, delivering measurable value,an improvedstakeholder experience, and proactive risk management.
Primary Purpose
Lead Tier 2 sourcing; support Tier 1; coachSCoE(Sourcing Center of Excellence)execution to deliver speed, quality, and compliance.
Primary Interfaces
Category Managers,SCoEManagersandSpecialists, ContractingCoE/Legal, Finance (Value Capture), Risk/TPRM, Operations/BPO
Scope Anchors
Segment work by complexity and risk; separate strategy (Category) from execution (Sourcing) whileoperatingas one global team.
Mission Alignment (GSP âDefinition of Winningâ)
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:proactivelyidentify, assess, and mitigate thirdâparty and supply risks within sourcing and contracting activities.
OptimizeCapability: 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/crossâregional/repeatable) with accountability fordeliveryquality, 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 factâbased negotiation strategies (TCO, shouldâcost, benchmarking) and lead supplier negotiations to deliver approved value outcomes.
Partner with Category Management on positioning, tradeâoffs, and escalation decisions when supplier, value, or risk profiles change.
Coordinate contract strategy with ContractingCoE/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 withSCoEleadership to protect cycle time and stakeholder commitments.
Track progress,identifyblockers, and drive rapid escalation/resolution; ensure transparency through dashboards, cadence reviews, and status updates.
4)SCoEEnablement, Coaching & Quality Assurance
Coach and mentorSCoEpractitioners on categoryâspecific 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 & CrossâFunctional Leadership
Serve as the primary sourcing execution interface for Category Leaders and key stakeholders during active sourcing initiatives.
Drive alignment across crossâfunctional 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.
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