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Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips – the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world – like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world. 

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Applied Materials is seeking a Senior Procurement Manager to support its Photonics Platform Business, which drives both organic and inorganic growth of the company’s waveguide technologies and broader augmented reality (AR) ecosystem initiatives. This strategic role focuses on sourcing, qualification, supplier development, and quality management for advanced optical materials, including precision glass and crystalline substrates.

The Senior Procurement Manager will collaborate closely with global suppliers and cross‑functional teams across R&D, Product Engineering, and Operations. The ideal candidate has deep hands‑on experience with optical glass and crystalline materials, strong knowledge of upstream manufacturing processes, and a proven ability to build and manage a high‑performance supply base. This individual will lead supplier assessments, define category strategies, and implement quality frameworks that ensure supply chain scalability, reliability, and long‑term competitiveness for Applied Materials’ photonics portfolio. The role will also be accountable for achieving key procurement KPIs across cost, cash, and contract performance to support the company’s growth and profitability objectives.

Key Responsibilities

1) Supplier Lifecycle Management & Performance

• Conduct supplier assessments, audits, and qualifications for glass and crystalline materials to ensure compliance with Applied Materials standards and regulatory requirements.

• Develop, manage, and utilize supplier scorecards and performance metrics, driving corrective actions and continuous improvement.

• Lead structured Business Reviews and executive-level engagement to strengthen relationships, track performance, and ensure roadmap alignment.

• Institutionalize standardized supplier governance frameworks, including supplier segmentation, financial health reviews and performance management for alliance and strategic suppliers.

2) Quality Engineering, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and support APQP, PPAP, SPC, control plans, and material-specific quality systems for waveguide and AR-related components.

• Drive root cause analysis and CAPA/SCAR resolution using 8D, and FMEA, ensuring containment and systemic prevention.

• Partner with R&D and Manufacturing teams to improve material yields, durability, metrology consistency, and upstream manufacturing capability.

• Support implementation of supplier quality maturity models that scale with NPI and high-volume manufacturing requirements.

3) Strategic Sourcing, Category Leadership & Commercial Management

• Establish and lead a Specialized Procurement & Supplier Strategy function, enabling the business to achieve top‑quartile cost performance, cash optimization, and operational expense control.

• Develop and execute category strategies for optical glass, crystalline substrates, coatings, and enabling materials, embedding these strategies into the NPI lifecycle to accelerate speed‑to‑market.

• Lead sourcing events (RFx), supplier selection, and TCO analysis, including should‑cost modeling and competitive benchmarking.

• Deliver procurement KPIs across cost, cash, and contracts, including cost reduction, competitive pricing, payment term optimization, and contract compliance.

• Negotiate MSAs, SOWs, NDAs, and commercial frameworks that secure supply assurance, protect IP, and provide long‑term competitive advantage.

4) Supplier Development, Innovation & Technology Enablement

• Develop suppliers to meet scaling, capability, and technical maturity requirements through structured development plans and capability assessments.

• Foster supplier innovation, aligning emerging materials technologies (glass, crystalline, coatings, surface treatments) to Applied Materials’ waveguide and AR/VR product roadmaps.

• Support NPI by qualifying new and alternate suppliers, validating materials, and ensuring readiness from prototype → pilot → ramp → volume.

5) Supply Chain Risk Management & AR Market Growth Support

• Assess supply chain risks across quality, cost, delivery, capacity, and geopolitical exposure; implement mitigation plans and dual‑sourcing strategies.

• Lead supplier integration and quality due diligence activities for acquisitions, strategic partnerships, or emerging suppliers.

• Collaborate with R&D, Product Engineering, Sourcing, and Operations to align specifications, resolve escalations, and scale next‑generation photonics technologies in support of AR market growth.

Additional Information

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Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.