Vp, Direct Purchasing Operations

Company Description
At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.

At our core, Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we’ve been doing just that. Our technology helped people put a man on the moon.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest growth organizations in the world. From energizing the most competitive gaming platforms, to enabling systems to make cities safer and cars smarter and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and public cloud, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Binge-watch any shows, use social media or shop online lately? You’ll find Western Digital supporting the storage infrastructure behind many of these platforms. And, that flash memory card that captures and preserves your most precious moments? That’s us, too.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, storage devices and platforms for business and consumers alike. Our data-centric solutions are comprised of the Western Digital®, G-Technology, SanDisk® and WD® brands.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. It’s You & Western Digital. Together, we’re the next BIG thing in data.

Job Description**
Overview**:
The Vice President, Direct Purchasing Operations is key to its success and with procurement spend over $5 Billion dollars, the strategic impact of this business function is significant & requires innovation to be successful. This position reports to the Chief Procurement Officer.
**The Role**

The mission of the Vice President, Direct Purchasing Operations is to support the business execution for product manufacturing and delivery, by leading an organization that is excellent in materials management and purchasing execution. This role requires close collaboration with Western Digital Supply Chain Planning, Direct Materials Sourcing, and Factory Execution teams.

With direct responsibility for the Western Digital’s direct material planning and purchasing functions, this senior leader is expected to strengthen the Global Purchasing organization and its capabilities to become an indispensable business partner on innovation, supply and inventory initiatives.

This individual will develop actionable steps to improve operational performance, while ensuring best purchasing value and competitive advantage through the purchasing of direct materials and contract manufacturing services to support Western Digital businesses worldwide.

Key areas of responsibility for this leader include the following:

- Lead all direct materials and external manufacturing services material planning and purchasing activities
- Ensure supply availability to support required business flexibility and production execution requirement
- Accountable for component inventory metrics
- Responsible for talent development within organization
- Provide thought leadership and vision to support the organizational objectives
- Seen as a key strategic partner across all functions within the business
**Specific accountabilities are**:

- Purchasing Organization_
- Responsible for escalation to suppliers to address supply pull in or push out requirements
- Responsible for the E2E Purchasing processes (systems, policies and processes, P2P )
- Responsible for cross business component supply coordination as required
- Align business groups around the supply flexibility and inventory strategy
- Support commodity sourcing strategy development
- Optimize Purchasing performance_
- Ensure the optimum Purchasing performance to achieve quality, cost, timing, environmental, safety, sustainability and technology requirements in line with business objectives
- Deliver committed Key Performance Indicators
- Roll out global materials forecasts and drive material lead-time reduction programs
- Develop Purchasing organization_
- Improve knowledge management systems and materials
- Continue enhancing the skill sets of the Direct Purchasing Operations organization
- Coach and develop key individuals
- Lead the cross sector Purchasing Operations talent process

**Qualifications**:

- Experienced Purchasing VP_

This individual will have at least 15 years of experience in Procurement and Supply Chain, and ideally will have already served as the top Purchasing Operations leader for a global electronics company for at least three years’ time. With a proven track record of forming win-win partnerships with internal operations stakeholders and suppliers, this leader should bring both a strategic and ‘hands on’ mindset and a proven track record in change management.
- Global experience_

A globally-minded leader, this executive will be at home doing business across Europe, the Americas and Asia. This person will be comfortable with diverse teams of people and should be c