{"id":1186231,"url":"https://alion.io/job/western-digital-manager-4-strategic-sourcing","title":"Manager 4, Strategic Sourcing","company":{"id":8924,"name":"Western Digital","domain":"wdc.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/wdc","size_band":"5000+","is_staffing_agency":false,"is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"SmartRecruiters","truth_index":null},"role":"Operations","role_family":"Operations","seniority":"senior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Thailand"],"countries":["TH"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":27000,"max_usd":61000,"period":"year","method":"global_role_cell_scaled_by_country","sample_n":1735},"experience_years_min":7,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Power BI","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-24T09:02:04Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-24","last_verified_at":"2026-09-25T00:58:04Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":0,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":0},"description":"WD is building the infrastructure behind the AI-driven data economy.\nAs 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.\nWe 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.\nThis isn’t theoretical work. It’s real systems, at real scale, people solving some of the hardest challenges in technology today.\nWe’re looking for people who want to build, solve, and operate at that level.\nJoin us and let’s shape the future of data.\n ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:\nThe Commodity Manager - Chemicals & Gases will lead strategic sourcing, supplier management, cost optimization, contracting, and supply continuity activities for chemicals and industrial/specialty gases supporting four manufacturing sites across Malaysia, Thailand, China, and the Philippines.\nThis role will develop and execute regional commodity strategies aligned with global business objectives. The Commodity Manager will work closely with Manufacturing, Planning, Engineering, R&D, Quality, Finance, Legal, Facilities, EHS, and site procurement teams to ensure reliable supply, competitive cost, regulatory compliance, supplier innovation, and operational continuity.\nThe successful candidate must have strong knowledge of the chemicals and gases supply market, manufacturing operations, strategic negotiations, risk management, and cross-functional stakeholder leadership.\nDevelop and execute APAC commodity strategies for chemicals, solvents, photoresists, developers, process materials, industrial gases, specialty gases, and related services.\nConsolidate requirements across Malaysia, Thailand, China, and the Philippines to maximize regional purchasing leverage.\nConduct market analysis, cost modeling, supplier benchmarking, and industry trend assessments.\nLead RFQ, RFP, e-bidding, supplier selection, and commercial negotiation activities.\nIdentify and qualify alternative and dual sources to improve cost competitiveness and supply resilience.\nAlign regional sourcing strategies with global commodity objectives, technology roadmaps, and manufacturing requirements.\nSupplier and Contract Management\n\nLead commercial negotiations covering pricing, payment terms, lead time, inventory commitments, service levels, warranties, and supply guarantees.\nDevelop and manage long-term agreements, supply agreements, statements of work, NDAs, and other commercial contracts.\nEstablish supplier performance scorecards and conduct regular business reviews.\nMonitor supplier performance in cost, quality, delivery, service, innovation, sustainability, and risk management.\nLead supplier corrective-action and escalation activities when performance does not meet requirements.\nBuild strategic relationships with critical suppliers and their senior management teams.\nSupply Continuity and Risk Management\n\nIdentify and manage supply risks related to sole-source materials, geopolitical events, transportation constraints, raw-material shortages, regulatory changes, and supplier financial health.\nDevelop business continuity plans for critical chemicals and gases.\nEstablish appropriate safety-stock, buffer-inventory, and supply-guarantee requirements based on material criticality and recovery lead time.\nCoordinate recovery plans during supply disruptions to prevent production interruptions.\nMaintain regional supply risk dashboards and provide timely updates to stakeholders and executive leadership.\nPartner with Planning and Operations to validate forecasts, consumption requirements, inventory levels, and replenishment strategies.\nCost and Financial Management\n\nDeliver annual cost-reduction, cost-avoidance, working-capital, and productivity targets.\nAnalyze total cost of ownership, including material price, freight, packaging, storage, equipment, infrastructure, handling, duties, and disposal costs.\nDevelop should-cost models and index-based pricing mechanisms for key chemicals and gases.\nLead price negotiations and challenge supplier cost-increase requests using market data and cost-driver analysis.\nPrepare annual budgets, forecasts, savings pipelines, and commodity price projections.\nTrack and report spend, savings, supplier concentration, and sourcing performance.\nCross-Functional and Site Support\n\nServe as the primary commercial lead for chemicals and gases across the four APAC manufacturing sites.\nPartner with Engineering, R&D, Quality, EHS, and Operations on new-material introductions, supplier qualifications, process changes, and technology transfers.\nSupport manufacturing expansion, capacity increases, bulk-gas infrastructure, chemical-delivery systems, and new product requirements.\nCoordinate with site procurement and shared-services teams to ensure effective purchase-order execution, order acknowledgment, delivery, and invoice resolution.\nBalance site-specific requirements with regional and global business priorities.\nCommunicate sourcing decisions, risks, project status, and financial impact clearly to senior leadership.\nInnovation, Sustainability, and Compliance\n\nEngage suppliers to identify new technologies, alternative materials, process improvements, and cost-saving opportunities.\nSupport the qualification of safer and more environmentally sustainable chemicals and gases.\nDrive initiatives related to emissions reduction, packaging optimization, waste reduction, chemical substitution, and responsible sourcing.\nEnsure supplier compliance with applicable environmental, safety, trade, and regulatory requirements.\nPartner with EHS and Legal to manage chemical restrictions, hazardous-material requirements, and regulatory changes across the region.\nKey Performance Indicators\n\nAnnual cost reduction and cost avoidance\nSupply continuity and prevention of production interruptions\nSupplier quality and on-time delivery performance\nPercentage of critical materials with qualified alternative sources\nContract coverage and supply-guarantee implementation\nInventory optimization and working-capital improvement\nSupplier risk mitigation and recovery-plan effectiveness\nCompletion of sourcing and qualification projects\nSupplier innovation and sustainability contributions\nStakeholder and manufacturing-site satisfaction\nRequired Qualifications\n\nBachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Chemistry, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.\nMinimum of 7-10 years of experience in strategic sourcing, commodity management, procurement, or supply chain.\nAt least 3-5 years of direct experience managing chemicals, industrial gases, specialty gases, semiconductor materials, or other critical manufacturing materials.\nDemonstrated experience supporting multiple manufacturing sites or countries.\nStrong experience in contract negotiation, supplier management, cost analysis, and supply-risk mitigation.\nUnderstanding of chemical and gas supply chains, including raw materials, packaging, storage, transportation, infrastructure, and regulatory requirements.\nStrong analytical skills with experience using spend data, cost models, market intelligence, and supplier-performance metrics.\nExcellent written and verbal English communication skills.\nAbility to travel across Malaysia, Thailand, China, the Philippines, and other supplier locations as required.\nPreferred Qualifications\n\nMaster’s degree or professional certification such as CPSM, CIPS, CSCP, or equivalent.\nProcurement experience within semiconductor, electronics, hard-disk-drive, pharmaceutical, automotive, or other high-technology manufacturing industries.\nExperience managing industrial gases, specialty gases, solvents, photoresists, developers, CMP materials, or high-purity process chemicals.\nKnowledge of hazardous-material transportation, chemical regulations, environmental compliance, and responsible sourcing.\nExperience with ERP and procurement systems such as Oracle, SAP, Power BI, or e-sourcing platforms.\nWorking knowledge of Mandarin, Thai, Malay, or Filipino languages is an advantage but not required.\nCore Competencies\n\nStrategic sourcing and commodity management\nCommercial negotiation and contract management\nSupply-chain risk management\nCost modeling and financial analysis\nSupplier relationship management\nExecutive communication and presentation\nCross-functional and multicultural leadership\nProblem-solving and decision-making\nProject and change management\nStakeholder influence without direct authority\nLeadership Expectations\n\nDemonstrates ownership and accountability for regional commodity performance.\nBuilds trust and alignment across different countries, cultures, and business functions.\nRemains calm, responsive, and decisive during critical supply situations.\nChallenges existing practices and leads continuous improvement.\nBalances cost, quality, service, innovation, sustainability, and supply continuity.\nMaintains high standards of integrity, confidentiality, and ethical procurement.\n REQUIRED:\nMaster’s degree or professional certification such as CPSM, CIPS, CSCP, or equivalent.\nProcurement experience within semiconductor, electronics, hard-disk-drive, pharmaceutical, automotive, or other high-technology manufacturing industries.\nPREFERRED:\nExperience managing industrial gases, specialty gases, solvents, photoresists, developers, CMP materials, or high-purity process chemicals.\nKnowledge of hazardous-material transportation, chemical regulations, environmental compliance, and responsible sourcing.\nExperience with ERP and procurement systems such as Oracle, SAP, Power BI, or e-sourcing platforms.\nWorking knowledge of Mandarin, Thai, Malay, or Filipino languages is an advantage but not required.\n WD 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.\nWD 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  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.\nNotice 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 .","description_format":"text","description_chars":11060,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":7,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[{"language":"Thai","level":"All levels","optional":true},{"language":"English","level":"Upper-Intermediate (B2)","optional":false}]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"Thailand","iso":"TH","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Supply Chain","Information Technology","Data Centers","Digital Storage"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-24T14:55:11Z"}],"liveness":{"score":86,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.86,"p_room":1,"age_days":0,"expected_fill_days":41,"reasons":["conf:3","win:early","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-09-25T04:23:55Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/western-digital-manager-4-strategic-sourcing","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/western-digital-manager-4-strategic-sourcing.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-09-25T04:23:55Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","usage":{"tier":"crawler","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":4719,"day_limit":5000,"remaining_today":281,"minute_limit":60,"resets_at":"2026-09-26T00:00:00Z"}}}