Supply Chain Life Cycle Manager

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.

As a Supply Chain Life Cycle Manager, you’ll thrive in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment, taking ownership of global supply chain operations. Your key responsibilities include:

• Leadership & Strategy:
  • Lead the extended operations team through all product lifecycle (LCM) phases, including R&D, NPI, sustaining, and EOL.
  • Work with cross functional teams (R&D, product engineering, capacity, test engineering, etc) to drive improvements to product (yield, cost, supply assurance,etc.)
  • Formalize and execute operations strategies that deliver cost-optimized, reliable products to market.
• Problem-Solving:
  • Drive contract manufacturers (CMs) to achieve output plans, resolving constraints such as capacity, yields, quality and Clear to Build (CTB) to meet forecasts.
  • Navigate supply chain disruptions by establishing safety stock strategies and escalating material issues to Global Commodity Managers (GCM) teams.
• Optimization:
  • Define and execute supply chain architecture strategies that balance agility, inventory levels, and minimize material liabilities and cost.
  • Establish safety stock strategies to drive supply continuity and assurances. 
  • Mitigate cost variances to planning assumptions through collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Supplier Collaboration:
  • Provide visibility to GCM to drive capacity and material to align to our demand at all stages of product life cycles.
• Execution Excellence:
  • Generate manufacturing plans and ensure supplier readiness to deliver timely fulfillment of new product to volume ramp.
  • Confirm CM build rate aligns with weekly/monthly/quarterly requirements and communicate with internal stakeholders as required.
  • Measure CM performance through KPI tracking and communicate at supplier performance meetings.
  • Provide mitigation strategies to minimize customer impact.

What You’ll Bring:

Qualifications & Experience:

• 5–10 years of experience in Operations and Supply Chain Management.
• Proven expertise in Operations and Planning, with knowledge of telecommunication or optical technologies.
• Strong understanding of New Product Introduction (NPI) processes and product engineering.

Skills & Education:

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field; MBA preferred.
  • PMP certification : nice to have

• Skills:
  • Autonomous, organized, and dynamic with demonstrated leadership in managing virtual teams.
  • Resourceful problem solver who thrives in challenging, time-sensitive environments.
  • Strong facilitation and collaboration skills; a true team player.
  • Willingness to work and travel across time zones and outside of standard business hours (as required).
  • Excellent communication skills

Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.

Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission. In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation time. We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.
At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard.  Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.

Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.