Senior Associate – Commodity Operations

About the role

The Global Commodity Specialist supports operational and day‑to‑day activities for assigned commodity categories within Ciena's global supply chain. Acting as a liaison between suppliers and internal teams, the role ensures supply continuity, data accuracy, and procurement compliance in a fast‑paced, high‑technology manufacturing environment.

Key responsibilities

• Monitor supplier delivery performance, identify and resolve material shortages.
• Collaborate with planning, manufacturing, and commodity managers to mitigate supply risks and expedite deliveries.
• Execute end‑to‑end supplier onboarding, qualification, documentation, compliance, and ERP setup.
• Maintain pricing information, process cost changes, and ensure contract alignment.
• Coordinate RFQs, consolidate quotations, perform commercial analysis, and support sourcing recommendations.
• Prepare supplier business reviews, scorecards, KPI dashboards, and risk evaluations.
• Support commodity strategies by maintaining supplier profiles, spend reports, and market intelligence.
• Identify and drive process improvement, automation, and digitalization initiatives.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in supply chain, procurement, sourcing, or commodity management, preferably in high‑technology manufacturing.
• Proven ability to manage supply shortages, supplier engagement, and delivery performance challenges.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem‑solving, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Required skills

• Microsoft Excel, Power BI, PowerPoint, Microsoft Copilot.
• Enterprise platforms such as Oracle, Agile, Kinaxis or equivalent supply chain and procurement systems.