Optical Category Manager

Job Summary

The Supply Chain Manager – Optical is an individual contributor responsible for supporting and executing category strategy and supplier performance for precision optical commodities, including lenses, optical coatings, and OLAS-related supply base. This role drives predictable delivery, quality, cost performance, and risk mitigation across the product lifecycle.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives for assigned optical commodities and suppliers.
• Develop and maintain forecasts/requirements for the category; translate demand into sourcing and capacity actions.
• Develop subcontract/commodity strategies aligned to Supply Chain strategy, including preferred supplier roadmaps.
• Lead strategic supplier development and long-term agreements (e.g., MSA, BOA, LTA) consistent with category objectives.
• Own supplier performance across Quality, Delivery, Cost; drive corrective actions and measurable recovery plans with clear owners and due dates.
• Lead cross-functional coordination with Engineering, Quality, Program Management, Manufacturing, and Planning to support NPI through production and sustainment.
• Support make-versus-buy assessments for new or existing components and assemblies.
• Develop and execute supplier transition plans, including qualification approach, readiness, and cutover planning.
• Monitor cost performance (target vs. proposal vs. actual) and drive cost reduction initiatives (VA/VE, should-cost inputs, market benchmarking).
• Coordinate supplier assessments and approvals with Engineering and Quality; support ongoing supplier capability reviews.
• Ensure accuracy of sourcing-related master data (lead times, MOQ/lot size, sourcing attributes) and communicate changes that impact cost or production cycles.
• Expedite or elevate critical constraints as required while driving systemic actions to prevent recurrence.

Qualifications

Required Technical Capabilities – Optical

• Understanding of optical design fundamentals
• Knowledge of performance requirements for complete optical systems
• Familiarity of optical design performance including MTF, relative illumination, distortion, athermalization, FOV, etc.

Working knowledge of optical component manufacturing and inspection (grinding/polishing, centration, surface quality, metrology/interferometry concepts, diamond turning, AR and reflective coatings).
• Familiarity with optical coating processes and performance drivers (AR/HR coatings, spectral requirements, adhesion/durability considerations, coating yield/capacity constraints).
• Ability to evaluate supplier special process controls (cleanliness, handling, contamination control, packaging, traceability,yields).
• Ability to interpret optical drawing/specification concepts (scratch-dig, surface figure, wedge, irregularity, thickness tolerances, transmit/reflect expectations).
• Understanding of long-lead specialty materials and sub-tier dependencies within the optical supply base.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business, engineering, physics, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of demonstrated experience in high technology, aerospace, defense, or precision manufacturing supply chain/sourcing, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated knowledge of supply chain management tools, procedures, and best practices.
• Demonstrated leadership and influence skills, including conflict resolution and stakeholder management.
• Significant experience throughout the product lifecycle from NPI through obsolescence, including supplier selection, risk management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong negotiation skills and customer interface skills.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a complex environment.
• Working knowledge of relevant regulatory/compliance requirements (e.g., FAR/DFARS flowdowns and ITAR/EAR awareness, as applicable).

Clearance Requirement

Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance, as required.