Strategic Sourcing Specialist (IT and Technology Categories)

Sandisk understands how people and businesses consume data and relentlessly innovates to deliver solutions that enable today’s needs and tomorrow’s next big ideas. With a rich history of groundbreaking innovations in Flash and advanced memory technologies, Sandisk’s solutions have become the beating heart of the digital world. The company meets people and businesses at the intersection of their aspirations and the moment, enabling them to keep moving and pushing possibility forward through powerhouse manufacturing capabilities and an industry-leading portfolio of products recognized globally for innovation, performance, and quality. Sandisk has two facilities recognized by the World Economic Forum as part of the Global Lighthouse Network for advanced 4IR innovations, also recognized as Sustainability Lighthouses for breakthroughs in efficient operations.

About the role

The Strategic Sourcing Specialist leads sourcing and procurement activities across Engineering Lab Equipment, IT Hardware, Software, Cloud Services, Information Security technologies, technical products, equipment, electronic components, and related professional services. This role independently manages sourcing projects from business requirements through supplier selection, contract negotiations, and supplier management while delivering measurable value through cost savings, cost avoidance, risk mitigation, and operational improvements. The ideal candidate is a self-directed sourcing professional who can manage multiple sourcing initiatives, develop strong stakeholder relationships, and effectively partner with Engineering, IT, Finance, Legal, and business leaders in a fast-paced technology environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end sourcing initiatives for Engineering Lab Equipment, Test & Measurement Equipment, Validation Equipment, Lab Infrastructure, IT Hardware, Enterprise Software, SaaS, Cloud Services, Information Security solutions, and Professional Services.
• Develop sourcing strategies, competitive bidding events, RFQs, RFIs, and RFPs to identify the best commercial and technical solutions.
• Conduct supplier evaluations, market assessments, benchmarking analysis, and supplier selection activities.
• Lead supplier negotiations to achieve business objectives related to cost, quality, delivery, service levels, and commercial terms.
• Execute sourcing projects from requirements gathering through contract execution and supplier onboarding with minimal supervision.
• Identify, qualify, and develop suppliers capable of supporting Engineering, IT, and business requirements.
• Manage supplier relationships and performance to improve quality, responsiveness, innovation, and overall value delivery.
• Conduct supplier business reviews and performance assessments to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify and mitigate supplier risks including single-source dependencies, supply constraints, long lead-time equipment, cybersecurity risks, and business continuity concerns.
• Partner with Legal and business stakeholders to negotiate and execute contracts including NDAs, MSAs, SOWs, Software Licensing Agreements, Cloud Agreements, Hardware Purchase Agreements, Maintenance Agreements, and Professional Services Agreements.
• Ensure agreements contain appropriate commercial protections including service levels, deliverables, acceptance criteria, confidentiality, intellectual property ownership, indemnification, warranty provisions, and termination rights.
• Drive favorable commercial terms through effective negotiation strategies and market intelligence.
• Deliver annual cost savings and cost avoidance objectives through strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Analyze supplier proposals, pricing structures, market benchmarks, and total cost of ownership models to support business decisions.
• Track and report savings, spending trends, budget performance, and sourcing project outcomes.
• Develop business cases and sourcing recommendations utilizing data-driven analysis.
• Partner closely with Engineering, IT, Information Security, Finance, Legal, Operations, and business stakeholders to align sourcing strategies with technical requirements and project timelines.
• Support procurement activities related to prototype builds, laboratory expansions, technology deployments, cybersecurity initiatives, cloud migrations, and infrastructure investments.
• Provide sourcing expertise and commercial guidance throughout project planning and execution.
• Monitor industry trends, supplier developments, emerging technologies, licensing models, and market conditions to identify opportunities and risks.
• Drive procurement process improvements, compliance initiatives, supplier governance activities, and sourcing best practices.
• Prepare and present sourcing recommendations, supplier performance updates, savings results, risk assessments, and project status reports to management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Finance, Information Systems, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, category management, supply chain, or supplier management.
• Experience independently managing sourcing projects and supplier negotiations.
• Experience sourcing one or more of the following categories:
  • Engineering Lab Equipment
  • Test and Measurement Equipment
  • Validation and Prototype Equipment
  • IT Hardware and Infrastructure
  • Enterprise Software
  • SaaS Applications
  • Cloud Services
  • Information Security Technologies
  • Professional Services
• Strong negotiation skills with demonstrated commercial results.
• Experience working with global stakeholders and suppliers across multiple regions and time zones.
• Strong analytical, financial modeling, cost analysis, and supplier management capabilities.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and communicate effectively with engineering, technical, and business teams.
• Experience using procurement and ERP platforms such as SAP, Oracle, Ariba or similar systems.
• Experience utilizing analytics and reporting tools such as Power BI, Tableau, Excel, or equivalent platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven ability to deliver measurable cost savings, cost avoidance, supplier performance improvements, and risk reduction initiatives.
• MBA or Master's Degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, Information Systems, or related discipline.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CSCP, CPM, PMP, or equivalent.
• Experience in semiconductor, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, high-tech, or product development environments.
• Experience sourcing Engineering Lab Equipment, Test Equipment, IT Infrastructure, Enterprise Software, Cloud Services, and Cybersecurity technologies.
• Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) and new technology development.

Work Locations

• Sandisk Milpitas Office: 951 Sandisk Dr, Milpitas, CA 95035
• Sandisk Irvine Office: 3355 Michelson Drive, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92612

Pay

The salary range for this role is what Sandisk believes to be the range of possible compensation at the time of posting and is applicable for jobs to be performed in California, Colorado, New York, or remote jobs that can be performed in those states. The range may be modified in the future, and the actual pay position within the range may be based on factors including relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, ability, knowledge of the job, performance, contribution, results, geographic location, shift, internal and external equity, and business and organizational needs.

Benefits

• Participation in Sandisk's Short-Term Incentive (STI) Plan, providing incentive awards based on Company and individual performance.
• Eligibility to participate in the annual Long-Term Incentive (LTI) program, which consists of restricted stock units (RSUs) or cash equivalents, depending on role and performance.
• RSU awards available to eligible new hires, subject to Sandisk's Standard Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock Unit Awards.
• Comprehensive benefits package including:
  • Paid vacation time
  • Paid sick leave
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Life, accident, and disability insurance
  • Tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts
  • Employee assistance program
  • Other voluntary benefit programs such as supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Transit benefits
  • Applause Program
  • Employee stock purchase plan