Director, Material Management

Job Summary

Reporting to the Senior Director, Supply Chain Operations, the Director, Material Management / Supply Chain Operations leads a globally distributed supply planning organization and partners closely with manufacturing partners and cross-functional teams to deliver on-time, with agility and cost discipline, in a highly outsourced environment.

About the Role

This role plays a critical leadership position within Ciena’s global supply chain, shaping how material availability, production planning, and supplier execution enable customer commitments and business growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead a global supply planning organization, including a significant team based in Thailand, aligned to outsourced electronics manufacturing services and original equipment manufacturer partners across multiple regions
• Own and govern the Master Production Schedule (MPS) in an outsourced environment, delivering an 18-month rolling material and production plan and a 52-week internal supply plan aligned to Chief Operating Officer (COO) scheduling needs
• Serve as the primary escalation point for material shortages, supply risks, and delivery commitment challenges, partnering with scheduling, fulfillment, and distribution teams to protect revenue and customer commitments
• Drive cross-functional production and supplier forums, enabling "what-if" scenario analysis, rough-cut capacity planning, and a clear-to-build horizon aligned to component and production lead times
• Partner with inventory leadership to balance service levels, working capital, and inventory exposure through disciplined inventory management strategies
• Ensure accurate forecast development and timely visibility to manufacturing partners, incorporating historical demand and upcoming customer programs
• Champion supply chain transformation initiatives that improve lead times, agility, delivery reliability, and total cost through process and system improvements

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or Business Administration, with extensive experience leading material management or supply planning organizations in mid-to-large enterprises
• Deep expertise in materials planning, sourcing and procurement, outsourced manufacturing operations, new product introduction, and contract manufacturer management
• Strong working knowledge of material requirements planning and enterprise resource planning systems, materials management standards, and just-in-time principles, including pull systems, vendor-managed inventory, and supplier-managed inventory
• Demonstrated analytical capability, including the ability to rapidly merge and interpret complex data sets using Microsoft Excel
• Proven project management experience supporting cross-functional and multi-regional initiatives
• Ability to influence outcomes and lead through collaboration across global, matrixed organizations
• Fluency in English and flexibility to work across time zones, including escalation-driven interactions with manufacturing partners

Qualifications

• Fluency in Thai and/or Spanish
• APICS certifications such as Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM) or Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
• Hands-on experience with Kinaxis planning solutions
• Experience supporting supply chain transformation or operating model change initiatives
• Background working with manufacturing partners in Asia and Latin America

Skills

• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
• Knowledge of supply chain best practices

Benefits

Ciena is committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard. Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination. Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

Pay

The annual pay range for this position in Canada is $124, 700 - $199, 300 The annual pay range for this position in the USA is $155, 100 - $247, 700