This Director level position provides strategic leadership and enterprise-wide oversight of global procurement and transactional purchasing activities across assigned business segments. This role is responsible for driving cost reduction, supply assurance, operational efficiency, risk mitigation, and supplier performance across a complex, global manufacturing environment.
The role report to the Chief Procurement Officer and serves as the primary procurement business partner to segment, divisional, and corporate leadership, influencing long-term strategy and leading a globally distributed procurement organization supporting operations in the Americas, EMEA, and Asia.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Governance
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight for local, regional, and global procurement and transactional purchasing across assigned segments.
- Serve as the primary procurement business relationship manager to segment presidents, business unit leaders, functional GMs, finance leadership, and corporate executives, ensuring alignment, engagement, and governance.
- Influence long-term enterprise strategy through data-driven insights, executive engagement, and leadership on matters of significant corporate consequence.
Operational Excellence & Global Integration
- Develop, implement, and manage procurement organizational structures, processes, systems, and programs that enable global integration, centralization, scalability, and best-in-class performance.
- Direct and control procurement activities through multiple levels of management across regions and business units; allocate resources across divisions to meet enterprise priorities.
- Evaluate current-state procurement operations, tools, systems, and methods; identify efficiency and effectiveness improvements and lead implementation of corrective actions.
Financial Planning & Performance Management
- Own the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) procurement forecast, coordinating with divisions and regions to define targets, assumptions, and risks.
- Develop, track, and report procurement KPIs related to cost savings, supplier reduction, payment terms, compliance, productivity, and value delivery.
- Present consolidated procurement performance, insights, and recommendations to senior and executive leadership on a regular cadence
Supplier Strategy & Risk Management
- Lead global supplier and category strategies to deliver best total cost of ownership, ensure continuity of supply, and mitigate supply risk.
- Serve as senior escalation point and negotiation authority for high-impact supplier engagements, including long-term agreements (LTAs) and strategic partnerships.
- Enforce the company’s 5-Step Strategic Sourcing Process and ensure compliance with global procurement policies.
Segment & Commodity Leadership
- Provide focused procurement leadership across assigned segments, including:
- Semiconductor Devices: Global supplier engagement and negotiation of LTAs for wafers and substrates to ensure capacity assurance and cost competitiveness.
- Engineered Materials: Strategic supplier partnerships and sourcing diversification, particularly for rare earth and critical materials.
- SiC LLC: Procurement leadership with emphasis on graphite sourcing, supplier strategy, and cost optimization.
- Act as Commodity Manager for Rare Earth and Critical Materials, leading end-to-end sourcing strategy and development of supply bases outside China to enhance resilience and compliance.
People Leadership & Talent Development
- Build, lead, and develop a high-performing global procurement organization, including leadership development, functional depth, and succession planning.
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making.
ESG, Quality & Compliance
- Partner with divisional and regional leadership to support ESG and sustainability initiatives aligned with corporate objectives and regulatory requirements.
- Ensure strong supplier quality management, corrective action programs, and compliance with applicable quality management systems and standards.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Logistics, Industrial Management, Operations Management, or related field (required).
- Master’s degree or MBA preferred; professional certifications such as APICS, CPM, or CPSM strongly preferred.
Experience
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in procurement or supply chain management.
- At least 5 years in a senior leadership role within a global manufacturing environment.
- Experience working with global, cross-functional teams, including a significant Asia footprint, strongly preferred.
Skills & Competencies
- Deep knowledge of global procurement, sourcing, contract law, and international terms and conditions.
- Strong financial acumen, including understanding of financial statements and reporting.
- Expertise in the areas of Engineered Materials and Semiconductor Devices.
- Expertise in supplier quality management systems and second-party audits; familiarity with ISO 9001 and related standards.
- Exceptional communication, negotiation, and executive presence; ability to influence at all organizational levels.
- Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and advanced Excel and PowerPoint.
- Willingness to travel up to 30%.
Core Leadership Competencies
- Strategic Decision Making
- Business Acumen & Global Thinking
- Results Orientation
- Change Leadership
- Talent Development & Coaching
- Customer Focus
- Professional & Technical Expertise
Safety Requirements
All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.
Quality and Environmental Responsibilities
Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
Culture Commitment
Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:
Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust
Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.
Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.