Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager – Engineering Software, IP & R&D Services

WD is building the infrastructure behind the AI-driven data economy.

As AI scales, so does data. Every interaction, every model, every system generates data that must be stored, managed, and made accessible over time. That’s where we come in.

We combine deep engineering expertise with global-scale manufacturing to deliver the storage systems that make AI possible, powering hyperscale data centers, cloud platforms, and enterprise infrastructure worldwide.

This isn’t theoretical work. It’s real systems, at real scale, people solving some of the hardest challenges in technology today.

We’re looking for people who want to build, solve, and operate at that level.

Join us and let’s shape the future of data.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform Sourcing and contracts related activities for R&D and Engineering teams in WD. The position requires extensive knowledge and experience in the Software/IP licensing (engineering EDA SW preference for ASIC/FPGA development) and Engineering Development Services. The Strategic Sourcing Manager will ensure that their business owners are supported in a fast-paced, tight deadlines environment. This position requires a MS/MA degree or equivalent with 8 or more years of related experience. The ideal individual should have superior negotiation skills.
• The Strategic Sourcing Manager will need to provide excellent strategic sourcing support to business partners to ensure a competitive advantage for Western Digital. She or he will drive improvements in key metrics such as cost, quality, deliverables and cycle-time. The SSM will drive process-improvements, assist with projects and provide feedback to management on market conditions, supplier relationships, and quality and customer service issues.
• Manage supplier relationships, including supplier selection and qualification process, Quarterly business reviews and scorecards, supplier corrective actions, cost reduction programs.  Perform should cost analysis for major services and spend areas and implement cost reduction initiatives.  Lead and support implementation of best-in-class practices and continuous improvement of systems and processes.
• The ideal individual must have proven ability to achieve results in a fast moving, dynamic environment. Self-motivated and self-directed, however, must have demonstrated ability to work well with people. A proven desire to work as a team member, both on the same team and outside of the team. Ability to troubleshoot and analyze complex problems. Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines. Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.

• Ensure timely and cost effective acquisition of products (EDA SW, IP Licensing), services and equipment (HW Emulation, Prototyping) while driving contract compliance.
• Focal point for all the relevant Engineering and R&D organizations in USA. Develop strong collaborative relationships with internal clients to strategically manage spend and the supply base for assigned categories.
• Completing day-to-day activities that include specification clarification, source/supplier identification, proposal analysis, review & clarification, contract knowledge, supplier performance management, supplier/customer conflict resolution.
• Drive improvements in key metrics (cost, quality, deliverables, cycle-time, etc.)
• Provide feedback to management on market conditions, vendor relationships, supply and equipment standardization, quality issues.
• Assist with projects and perform other related duties that may become necessary as directed by management.
• Review and analyze purchase requisitions and coordinate purchasing activities with relevant departments within Procurement and cross functionally to process purchase requisitions, purchase change orders and requests for quotes to suppliers.
• Negotiate, manage, coordinate, and support Engineering sourcing activities for services, SW licensing and HW including preparing RFx, managing the process and analyzing competitive bids.
• Analyze spend data, internal requirements, and external supply markets to develop strategic sourcing strategies and plans aligned with the business goals.
• Prepare, redline and negotiate commercial contracts - services agreements, licenses, statements of work and amendments.
• Act as procurement subject matter expert in Engineering SW/HW and Services with the business to identify, develop and deploy best practice procurement, category management and supplier management.
• Develop strong partnerships with procurement operations, accounts payable, and legal teams.
• Manage, coordinate and support special projects as needed

Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person’s gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, protected medical and family care leave, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We also prohibit harassment of any individual on any of the characteristics listed above. Our non-discrimination policy applies to all aspects of employment. We comply with the laws and regulations set forth in the "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal” poster. Our pay transparency policy is available here.

Western Digital thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.

Western Digital is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at [email protected] to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

Based on our experience, we anticipate that the application deadline will be 09/17/2026 (3 months from posting), although we reserve the right to close the application process sooner if we hire an applicant for this position before the application deadline. If we are not able to hire someone from this role before the application deadline, we will update this posting with a new anticipated application

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Compensation & Benefits Details

• An employee’s pay position within the salary range may be based on several factors including but not limited to (1) relevant education; qualifications; certifications; and experience; (2) skills, ability, knowledge of the job; (3) performance, contribution and results; (4) geographic location; (5) shift; (6) internal and external equity; and (7) business and organizational needs.
• The salary range is what we believe to be the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting.  We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in California, Colorado, New York or remote jobs that can be performed in California, Colorado and New York.  This range may be modified in the future.
• If your position is non-exempt, you are eligible for overtime pay pursuant to company policy and applicable laws.  You may also be eligible for shift differential pay, depending on the shift to which you are assigned.

• You will be eligible to be considered for bonuses under either WD’s Short Term Incentive Plan (“STI Plan”) or the Sales Incentive Plan (“SIP”) which provides incentive awards based on Company and individual performance, depending on your role and your performance. You may be eligible to participate in our annual Long-Term Incentive (LTI) program, which consists of restricted stock units (RSUs) or cash equivalents, pursuant to the terms of the LTI plan. Please note that not all roles are eligible to participate in the LTI program, and not all roles are eligible for equity under the LTI plan. RSU awards are also available to eligible new hires, subject to WD's Standard Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock Unit Awards.

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid vacation time; paid sick leave; medical/dental/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; the Applause Program; employee stock purchase plan; and the WD Savings 401(k) Plan.
• Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Notice To Candidates: Please be aware that WD and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying for a position or receiving an offer of employment. Should you encounter any such requests, please report it immediately to WD Ethics Helpline or email [email protected].