Senior Manager, Category Management

Job Description Company Description Sandisk understands how people and businesses consume data and we relentlessly innovate 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, our solutions have become the beating heart of the digital world we’re living in and that we have the power to shape. Sandisk meets people and businesses at the intersection of their aspirations and the moment, enabling them to keep moving and pushing possibility forward. We do this through the balance of our powerhouse manufacturing capabilities and our industry-leading portfolio of products that are 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. These facilities were also recognized as Sustainability Lighthouses for breakthroughs in efficient operations. With our global reach, we ensure the global supply chain has access to the Flash memory it needs to keep our world moving forward. Senior Manager, Category Management – 3rd Party Controller (U.S. Based) This role owns the global category strategy for 3rd party controllers, with responsibility for shaping long-term sourcing direction, supplier selection, executive alignment, and commercial outcomes. The position requires a highly strategic leader who can engage effectively with internal executives and external supplier leadership to define controller strategy, assess technology and supply market options, drive sourcing and qualification decisions, and secure resilient, competitive supply solutions aligned with business, product, and technology roadmaps. This U.S.-based role serves as a key interface across engineering, business units, operations, finance, quality, and legal to influence critical decisions on controller roadmap, supplier portfolio, sourcing models, and risk mitigation strategies. Category Strategy Leadership: Develop and lead the global 3rd party controller category strategy, including long-range sourcing vision, supplier portfolio design, technology alignment, commercial strategy, and risk mitigation plans. Executive Engagement: Lead strategic discussions with senior and executive leadership to align on controller sourcing direction, business trade-offs, supplier strategy, investment priorities, and selection decisions. Supplier Selection and Roadmap Alignment: Define supplier selection criteria and lead cross-functional sourcing decisions for 3rd party controllers based on technology capability, roadmap fit, capacity, quality, cost competitiveness, geographic footprint, and long-term strategic value. Cross-Functional Strategic Leadership: Partner closely with engineering, product, quality, operations, planning, finance, and legal to drive alignment on controller strategy, sourcing models, approved vendor approaches, and business continuity plans. Market and Technology Intelligence: Monitor controller technology trends, competitive dynamics, supplier roadmaps, industry capacity, cost structures, and geopolitical or supply chain risks to inform executive decisions and sourcing strategy. Commercial and Contract Leadership: Lead complex commercial negotiations, contract strategy, pricing frameworks, business allocation decisions, and long-term agreements that optimize total value, flexibility, and supply assurance. Supply Resiliency and Risk Management: Establish risk management strategies for controller supply, including dual-sourcing, qualification roadmaps, capacity reservation, continuity planning, and escalation management for critical issues. Supplier Performance and Governance: Drive executive business reviews and performance governance with key suppliers to improve accountability, execution, innovation support, and strategic alignment. NPI and Product Enablement: Influence early design and NPI decisions by aligning sourcing strategy with product requirements, qualification timelines, and supplier readiness to support time-to-market and scalability. Strategic Project Leadership: Lead high-impact strategic initiatives related to controller sourcing, supplier development, cost competitiveness, business continuity, and long-term roadmap execution across global stakeholders. Qualifications Required: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field; advanced degree such as MBA or Master’s degree is preferred. 12+ years of #J-18808-Ljbffr