Sourcing Commodity Manager – Optics - CW & Pump Lasers

Application window expected to close on 09/28/2026; posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or a sufficient number of applications are received. This is a hybrid role requiring presence at the Cisco office twice per week.

About the Team

Cisco Supply Chain has been ranked in the top 5 of Gartner’s annual Supply Chain Top 25 for the 7th consecutive year. The Global Supplier Management (GSM) Organization is an industry leader in sourcing and supplier management, driving technology and product innovation while balancing performance, quality, cost, and delivery requirements. You will join a motivated team that collaborates closely with external partners and internal cross-functional teams, including Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance, Manufacturing, Marketing, and Legal.

In this role, you will work with all hardware engineering teams across Cisco to understand product roadmaps and needs. You will drive early technology sensing, orchestrate roadmap reviews between Cisco and suppliers, propose solutions, and assess supplier capabilities to meet technical and business requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide industry knowledge and understanding of Optics and Photonics components fabrication technologies and market trends (cost, technology, supply chain ecosystem, etc.).
• Collaborate with Business Unit partners to understand long-term requirements, map them into the supply base, close roadmap gaps, and facilitate optimal component selection.
• Define and implement sourcing decisions aligned with commodity strategy, perform risk assessments, and develop mitigation plans.
• Identify and propose alternate technical solutions.
• Participate in large, complex programs involving multiple players, locations, and Business Units.
• Manage supplier relationships during development and NPI phases until product release, covering technical, commercial, prototyping, and quality aspects.
• Negotiate and drive all aspects of legal agreements to protect and define the development phase, including NDAs, DLAs, and SOWs.
• Demonstrate exceptional data analytics and reporting skills to translate complex data into clear technical and business insights.
• Develop and execute short-, mid-, and long-term strategies.
• Identify and promote solutions to sophisticated technical and business challenges.

Requirements

• MS (or equivalent) in a technical field, with 7+ years of proven experience, which could include a combination of engineering design, business strategy, or supply chain experience.
• Knowledge and understanding of Optical technologies and fabrication processes (including III-V, SiPhotonics, PLCs, pluggable transceivers, etc.).
• Deep technical expertise in key components (optical and non-optical) used in Optical Systems for communications and networking applications.
• Familiarity with the Optical Communications, Photonics, and Networking Industry and ecosystems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in design, fabrication, and testing of lasers for Optical Communications.
• Strong technical and business-related problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and relationship management skills.
• Ability to lead constructive discussions, take ownership, manage emotions with empathy, and support team growth.

Why Cisco?

At Cisco, we are revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era. With 40 years of innovation, our solutions provide unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across digital footprints. We foster a collaborative culture with a global network of experts, offering limitless opportunities for growth and impact.

Pay

The starting salary range for this position is $150,400.00 to $190,600.00 for new hires in U.S. and Canada locations, not including incentive compensation, equity, or benefits. Individual pay is determined by hiring location, market conditions, job-related skills, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and training. Below are the full salary ranges for specific locations:

• New York City Metro Area: $150,400.00 - $219,200.00
• Non-Metro New York State & Washington State: $134,800.00 - $200,400.00

For quota-based sales roles, the ranges include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with Cisco matching contribution.
• Paid parental leave, short- and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance.
• Paid time off, including:
  • 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees.
  • 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday, year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness.
  • Non-exempt employees receive 16 days of paid vacation per full calendar year, accrued at 4.92 hours per pay period.
  • Exempt employees participate in a flexible vacation program with no defined limit (subject to business needs).
  • 80 hours of sick time provided on hire and each January 1st, with up to 80 hours carried forward annually.
  • Additional paid time off for critical or emergency family issues.
  • Optional 10 paid days per year for volunteering.
• Eligibility for annual bonuses (subject to Cisco’s policies).
• For sales roles, performance-based incentive pay split between quota and non-quota components, with no minimum threshold for payout.
• Eligibility for Cisco restricted stock units, which vest over defined periods of continued employment.