As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.
This role plays a critical leadership position within Ciena’s global supply chain, shaping how material availability, production planning, and supplier execution enable customer commitments and business growth. Reporting to the Senior Director, Supply Chain Operations, the Director, Material Management / Supply Chain Operations leads a globally distributed supply planning organization and partners closely with manufacturing partners and cross‑functional teams to deliver on-time, with agility and cost discipline, in a highly outsourced environment.
How you will make an impact:
Lead a global supply planning organization, including a significant team based in Thailand, aligned to outsourced electronics manufacturing services and original equipment manufacturer partners across multiple regions• Own and govern the Master Production Schedule (MPS) in an outsourced environment, delivering an 18‑month rolling material and production plan and a 52‑week internal supply plan aligned to Chief Operating Officer (COO) scheduling needs
• Serve as the primary escalation point for material shortages, supply risks, and delivery commitment challenges, partnering with scheduling, fulfillment, and distribution teams to protect revenue and customer commitments
• Drive cross‑functional production and supplier forums, enabling “what‑if” scenario analysis, rough‑cut capacity planning, and a clear‑to‑build horizon aligned to component and production lead times
• Partner with inventory leadership to balance service levels, working capital, and inventory exposure through disciplined inventory management strategies
• Ensure accurate forecast development and timely visibility to manufacturing partners, incorporating historical demand and upcoming customer programs
• Champion supply chain transformation initiatives that improve lead times, agility, delivery reliability, and total cost through process and system improvements
The must haves:
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or Business Administration, with extensive experience leading material management or supply planning organizations in mid‑to‑large enterprises• Deep expertise in materials planning, sourcing and procurement, outsourced manufacturing operations, new product introduction, and contract manufacturer management
• Strong working knowledge of material requirements planning and enterprise resource planning systems, materials management standards, and just‑in‑time principles, including pull systems, vendor‑managed inventory, and supplier‑managed inventory
• Demonstrated analytical capability, including the ability to rapidly merge and interpret complex data sets using Microsoft Excel
• Proven project management experience supporting cross‑functional and multi‑region initiatives
• Ability to influence outcomes and lead through collaboration across global, matrixed organizations
• Fluency in English and flexibility to work across time zones, including escalation‑driven interactions with manufacturing partners
• APICS certifications such as Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM) or Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
• Experience supporting supply chain transformation or operating model change initiatives
