Strategic Sourcing Lead

About the Job

Cohu is a global technology leader supplying test, automation, inspection and metrology products and services to the semiconductor industry. We are seeking a Strategic Sourcing Lead to join our Supply Chain team in San Diego (Rancho Bernardo).

Sources

• Develop and execute sourcing and category strategies for Test Handler-related commodities and manufacturing services within North America.
• Segment the supply base to define preferred, strategic, and development suppliers aligned with business criticality, technology capability, and risk profile.
• Own supplier risk mitigation by identifying single-source dependencies and capacity risks and executing mitigation actions, including alternate sourcing, dual sourcing, and capacity buffering to protect ramps and volume production.

Supplier Performance & Commercial Management

• Own supplier performance management, including cost, on-time delivery, lead-time, quality, capacity, and responsiveness.
• Lead supplier escalation and corrective action when performance gaps arise, in close coordination with Quality and Operations.
• Negotiate commercial agreements, pricing, and terms to improve margins, shorten lead-times, and stabilize supply.
• Conduct regular supplier reviews and quarterly business reviews focused on performance, improvement actions, and technology roadmaps.

New Product Introduction (NPI) & Engineering Collaboration

• Lead sourcing activities for NPI and industrialization of Test Handler products, ensuring suppliers meet cost, quality, and schedule targets.
• Collaborate closely with the Material Program Manager (MPM) to address supplier requirements and requests for new suppliers, maintaining alignment on preferred supplier lists and ensuring a coordinated approach.
• Take ownership of defining and maintaining the list of preferred suppliers, while partnering with Engineering, Manufacturing, and the MPM to evaluate requests for new suppliers. Jointly support make/buy decisions, supplier selection, and design-for-manufacturability considerations to optimize both sourcing strategy and material flow.
• Ensure sourcing decisions are fully aligned with global commodity strategies and the long-term Test Handler roadmap, leveraging collaboration with the MPM to proactively manage supplier changes and additions.

Cost & Value Optimization

• Analyze spend to identify cost reduction, consolidation, and value engineering opportunities.
• Leverage should-cost modeling, market intelligence, and total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis to support sourcing decisions.
• Drive year-over-year cost improvement initiatives while maintaining quality and supply resilience.

Operational & Cross-Functional Alignment

• Coordinate sourcing activities with Planning, Manufacturing, and Finance to support inventory targets and production requirements.
• Ensure compliance with sourcing policies, procedures, and material control systems.
• Monitor key financial and operational metrics impacting sourcing and supplier decisions.