Strategic Sourcing Lead

About the Job

Cohu is a global technology leader supplying test, automation, inspection and metrology products and services to the semiconductor industry. As a leading supplier of semiconductor test handlers, Cohu has a portfolio of equipment used to automate the movement of semiconductor devices, control temperature during test and provide vision inspection; ensures quality and optimizes yield in volume production.

We are seeking a Strategic Sourcing Lead to join our Supply Chain team in San Diego (Rancho Bernardo). Working with the Director Supply Chain, the Strategic Sourcing Lead is responsible for defining and executing sourcing strategies for the Test Handler. This role owns supplier strategy, supplier performance management, and sourcing execution for direct materials and critical outsourced manufacturing activities supporting development and production of semiconductor test handlers, with a strong focus on supply continuity and risk mitigation. Working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Program Management, the Sourcing Lead manages key supplier relationships, leads commercial negotiations, supports New Product Introduction (NPI) sourcing, and drives cost, lead-time, and supply continuity improvements. The role is accountable for identifying, assessing, and mitigating supplier and supply chain risks through supplier segmentation, alternate sourcing, and proactive capacity planning to ensure uninterrupted support of product ramps and volume production.

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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Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities:

Sourcing Strategy & Supplier Management

• Develop and execute sourcing and category strategies for Test Handler-related commodities and manufacturing services within North America.
• Segment the supply base to define preferred, strategic, and development suppliers aligned with business criticality, technology capability, and risk profile.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key suppliers to ensure continuity of supply, cost competitiveness, and technology alignment.
• Own supplier risk mitigation by identifying single‑source dependencies and capacity risks and executing mitigation actions, including alternate sourcing, dual sourcing, and capacity buffering to protect ramps and volume production.

Supplier Performance & Commercial Management

• Own supplier performance management, including cost, on-time delivery, lead-time, quality, capacity, and responsiveness.
• Lead supplier escalation and corrective action when performance gaps arise, in close coordination with Quality and Operations.
• Negotiate commercial agreements, pricing, and terms to improve margins, shorten lead-times, and stabilize supply.
• Conduct regular supplier reviews and quarterly business reviews focused on performance, improvement actions, and technology roadmaps.

New Product Introduction (NPI) & Engineering Collaboration

• Lead sourcing activities for NPI and industrialization of Test Handler products, ensuring suppliers meet cost, quality, and schedule targets. Collaborate closely with the Material Program Manager (MPM) to address supplier requirements and requests for new suppliers, maintaining alignment on preferred supplier lists and ensuring a coordinated approach.
• Take ownership of defining and maintaining the list of preferred suppliers, while partnering with Engineering, Manufacturing, and the MPM to evaluate requests for new suppliers. Jointly support make/buy decisions, supplier selection, and design-for-manufacturability considerations to optimize both sourcing strategy and material flow.
• Ensure sourcing decisions are fully aligned with global commodity strategies and the long-term Test Handler roadmap, leveraging collaboration with the MPM to proactively manage supplier changes and additions.

Cost & Value Optimization

• Analyze spend to identify cost reduction, consolidation, and value engineering opportunities.
• Leverage should-cost modeling, market intelligence, and total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis to support sourcing decisions.
• Drive year-over-year cost improvement initiatives while maintaining quality and supply resilience.

Operational & Cross-Functional Alignment

• Coordinate sourcing activities with Planning, Manufacturing, and Finance to support inventory targets and production requirements.
• Ensure compliance with sourcing policies, procedures, and material control systems.
• Monitor key financial and operational metrics impacting sourcing and supplier decisions.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field, Business or Supply Chain preferred.

Experience: 8 years of progressive responsibility in strategic sourcing functions, preferably in back-end semiconductor capital equipment.

Skills/Technical Requirements:

• A track record of year-over-year delivery of distinctive value from sourcing activities.
• Considerable experience working in companies that design and manufacture large, complex electro- mechanical systems, as well as machine fabrication.
• Detailed knowledge of ERP/MRP systems (Oracle Cloud products preferred) and JIT philosophies.
• Expert negotiation skills within an engineering manufacturing environment.
• A flexible, self-demanding and proactive individual who can motivate themselves and others successfully in a highly dynamic, high-pressure environment while remaining calm and confident.
• Creative thinking and strong problem solving and troubleshooting capabilities. Experience making decisions and track record of managing multiple issues successfully.
• Advanced-level analytical skills; embraces fact-based decision making; naturally seeks to leverage and/or integrate market data, spend analytics, and modeling.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interact in a cross-functional environment with all levels of management and employees with additional ability to build and maintain internal relationships and influence procurement decisions.
• Excellent communication skills, including written, verbal and presentation skills; comfortable and credible with both internal stakeholders and external audiences.

Job Conditions/Physical Demands: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment but may spend time at customer sites and factory floors. Occasional domestic travel required.

Protective Equipment: In designated areas.

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, upon 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 operations.