Strategic Silicon & Tech Sourcing Principal, Networking Silicon

About the Role

AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on. We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain. You'll join a diverse team of software, hardware, and network engineers, supply chain specialists, security experts, operations managers, and other vital roles. You'll collaborate with people across AWS to help us deliver the highest standards for safety and security while providing seemingly infinite capacity at the lowest possible cost for our customers.

AWS Infrastructure Sourcing and Procurement team is looking for an experienced Principal Technical Sourcing Manager to be part of the Networking team to lead strategic sourcing, technology road mapping, industry enabling and related project execution for components including Switch ASIC, other critical networking silicon and related platforms for our growing Infrastructure.

In this role you will lead internal engagements across Supply Chain, Engineering and Business organizations while diving deep into the technologies and operations both from a product and Supply Chain perspective. You will analyze trends involving the industry players – vendors, customers, and technology to develop strategies to reduce cost, minimize risk, protect continuity of supply, and utilize emerging opportunities, allowing AWS to meet and exceed its goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Silicon Sourcing Strategy & Execution: Develop and implement comprehensive sourcing strategies for custom and high-complexity silicon components. Create and execute strategic sourcing plans aligned with product development timelines and business unit requirements. Lead RFIs and sourcing engagements for silicon components, ensuring optimal supplier selection. Analyze spending patterns and market trends to identify cost-saving opportunities in silicon procurement.
• Technical & Supplier Management: Serve as technical liaison between procurement and engineering teams for silicon-related matters. Evaluate supplier core competencies and competitive positioning using industry cost models. Influence suppliers' manufacturing processes and technology decisions for mutual benefit. Develop and maintain risk mitigation plans for critical silicon components. Champion sustainability initiatives within the silicon supply chain.
• Negotiation & Relationship Management: Lead complex negotiations for silicon contracts, development agreements, and favorable terms. Build and manage strategic relationships with key silicon vendors. Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to align requirements and ensure feasible solutions. Negotiate and implement supplier agreements working with legal and technical teams.
• Analysis & Market Intelligence: Conduct thorough market analysis of silicon industry trends and competitive positioning. Forecast future supply and demand for silicon components. Develop lifecycle cost models considering total cost of ownership. Maintain expertise in silicon component technology and manufacturing processes.

Basic Qualifications

• 7+ years of developing, negotiating and executing business agreements experience
• 7+ years of professional or military experience
• Bachelor's degree
• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, Quantitative, Technical or quantitative field
• 6+ years of experience working with engineering teams to develop technology roadmaps and supporting sourcing strategies
• 6+ years of experience working with executive business partners both internally and externally to drive alignment to strategies

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a founder or executive focused on related segments, or as a practice leader or business unit owner
• Experience selling to Fortune 1000 or Global 2000 organizations
• Experience with enterprise-scale infrastructure or development-based cloud programs/projects in a related industry
• Experience interpreting data and making business recommendations
• MBA or advanced degree
• Experience in the Enterprise Networking industry

Required Skills

• Technical Expertise: Strong technical understanding of silicon component technology and semiconductor manufacturing; experience in silicon supply chain management or operations; knowledge of device architecture and production processes
• Business & Analytical Skills: Proven analytical and critical thinking capabilities; strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills; experience in cost modeling and financial analysis; ability to develop and execute strategic sourcing plans
• Additional Requirements: Experience working with cross-functional teams in technical environments; strong project management and communication skills; travel required (approximately 20%); track record of successful supplier relationship management in the semiconductor industry

A Day in the Life

You will be working closely with several business partners to manage the Networking Silicon business on a day to day basis, but will be heavily focused on mid and long-term technology sourcing strategies. You will partner closely with a very capable hardware engineering teams to devise sourcing and technology development plans to launch next generation networking hardware based on the silicon platforms you source. This will include interactions with hardware development teams, network design and deployment engineering teams, finance, legal, and others. You will also manage working and executive level supplier relationships with multiple silicon suppliers.

You will be heavily focused on roadmap planning and execution against a technology migration strategy. You will work with closely with peers from your immediate core category team (GSM and PLM) to drive and execute a well-rounded category strategy. You will leverage your expertise to build supplier relationships and architect agreements to support AWS' growing network. You will make responsible sourcing decisions that consider customer security, time to market, technology benefit, quality and cost.

About the Team

The Networking team is made up of global category managers (Procurement), supply chain managers (Supply Chain), product lifecycle managers (Lifecycle) and technical product/program managers (Automation/Tools) who manage the broad base of networking suppliers and internal Amazon initiatives that help build the AWS cloud. We drive supply continuity, technology development and adoption, cost optimization, and internal supply chain systems development for networking categories (switches, optics, cables, DWDM, branded OEM, and strategic silicon).

We are located throughout multiple regional hubs in the United States and work with suppliers and business partners globally. We are a mix of industry experts and those aspiring to grow our industry expertise. We all bring something valuable to the table from our unique backgrounds; we highlight and celebrate our diverse backgrounds and leverage them to our collective benefit as a team.