Materials Planning Manager

Cohu in Poway (San Diego) is a world leader in semiconductor handling equipment used to test ICs. Join a leading-edge machine vision engineering team and work on interesting and challenging semiconductor test equipment. In this role, the Material Program Manager (MPM) plays a key role in ensuring material readiness across the product lifecycle – from development and new product introduction (NPI) through high-volume production. This position is responsible for managing material strategy, supplier execution, inventory risk, and cost assigned for responsible programs. The MPM serves as the primary interface between Supply Chain, Engineering, Planning Manufacturing, and external suppliers to ensure material availability aligns with build schedules and program milestones. This individual contributor role will also be responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and procuring materials, and services to support NPI program requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• :Lead material planning and sourcing strategies for test interface solutions
• .Identify and qualify new suppliers globally, ensuring compliance with quality and NPI program requirements
• .Manage material readiness through all program phases, concept, prototyping, NPI phase gates, and production ramp
• .Partner closely with product development to ensure supply continuity and inventory optimization for assigned NPI programs
• .Drive early engagement with suppliers during NPI to validate material readiness, ramp capability, and capacity planning to support both NPI and production requirements
• .Monitor lead times, allocation risks, and component obsolescence; proactively mitigate risks through alternative sourcing or strategic buys
• .Represent Supply Chain in cross functional program meetings, providing updates on material status, cost exposure and delivery risks
• .Manage supplier forecasts, MOQ, NCNR liabilities, and inventory buffers in alignment with demand volatility
• .Drive resolution of material shortages, quality issues, and last time buys in coordination with quality and engineering teams
• .Monitor contract compliance and performance obligations, assist with the management of commercial contracts, and spend with key suppliers
• .Identify and assess supplier risks including financial stability, geopolitical exposure, cybersecurity and ESG
• .Develop and enforce procurement policies, SOP’s and frameworks
• .Prepare executive level program updates on material readiness, spend, and risk management
• .Negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts to achieve the best value for the company
• .Support should cost modeling, benchmarking, and total cost of ownership analysis
• .Issue purchase orders based upon MRP requirements and NPI program management team requests
• .Monitor supplier deliveries and expedite orders to meet NPI schedules
• .Assist with other duties as required

.
Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability require

d:
Education and/or Experienc

• e: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or a related field, and or equivalent work experience (industry certifications such as CPSM/APICS are a plu
• s).5 years of experience in semiconductor supply chain, materials management, or NPI program manageme
• nt.Strong understanding of semiconductor manufacturing flows (front-end, back-end test) and related material dependenc
• iesExperience working with global suppliers in US, Asia, and Euro
• pe.Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems (e.g. SAP, Oracle) and planning to
• olsExcellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills; able to work in a fast passed, cross functional environme
• nt.Comfortable managing through ambiguity and influencing teams without direct authori
• ty.Ability to use MS office suite of products (Excel, Word, Acces
• s).Proven written and verbal communication skil
• ls.Ability to read and understand machined part drawin
• gs.Computer skills including file and data transfer experien
• ce.Understanding of machined part fabrication techniques and metho

ds.
Job Conditions: Office environment. Requires up to 10% domestic or international tra

vel.
Physical Demands/Strengths: Ability to sit at desk for prolonged periods; use of computer keyboard and telep

hone.
Protective Devices Required: In designated

areas
With more than 3000 employees worldwide, we offer challenging and rewarding work experiences, competitive compensation and generous employee benefits and a strong company culture. If you are looking for a global publicly traded company that provides you with international experience and a challenging work environment, then Cohu is your

choice.
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Cohu firmly supports the U.S. national and various state and local policies of equal employment opportunity which are designed to provide equality of employment and advancement opportunities to every individual without regard to unlawful considerations of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, gender, gender identity or gender expression, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, genetic information, military or veteran status or any other legally protected category. In addition, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified disabled individuals, upo

n request.
Globally, Cohu is committed to full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing employment, in the U.S. and in all other locations around the world where we have