Strategic Sourcing Manager, Capital Projects

Requisition Number: 71579

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Our Optical Communications segment has recently evolved from being a manufacturer of optical fiber and cable, hardware and equipment to being a comprehensive provider of industry-leading optical solutions across the broader communications industry.This segment is classified into two main product groupings – carrier network and enterprise network. The carrier network product group consists primarily of products and solutions for optical-based communications infrastructure for services such as video, data and voice communications. The enterprise network product group consists primarily of optical-based communication networks sold to businesses, governments and individuals for their own use.

Role Purpose

The Strategic Sourcing Manager – Capital Projects is responsible for leading sourcing strategies and vendor engagements for capital equipment, infrastructure, and technology investments across the enterprise. This role ensures alignment with project timelines, technical specifications, and financial targets while driving value through competitive sourcing, vendor performance management, and cross-category collaboration.

Key Responsibilties

Capital Project Procurement

• Lead end-to-end sourcing for capital equipment and services including furnaces, forming systems, automation, utilities, and facility upgrades.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Project Management, and Operations to define technical specifications and procurement scopes.
• Manage RFx processes (RFI, RFQ, RFP), vendor selection, bid evaluations, quote reviews, and decision analysis process for award.
• Negotiate contracts, delivery schedules, warranties, performance guarantees, aligning vendor performance to internal customer requirements.

Strategic Sourcing & Category Alignment

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies that support long-term capital planning and manufacturing growth.
• Align capital sourcing with indirect categories such as MRO, construction services, and technical consulting as required per project.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities through vendor consolidation, value engineering, spend or volume aggregation and competitive benchmarking.
• Maintain awareness of market trends, vendor capabilities, and emerging technologies.

 Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Business Engineering & Design, Business & Corporate Finance, Business & Corporate Legal, and Compliance to ensure proper governance, budget alignment, and risk mitigation.
• Support investment approval processes with Appropriation Requests updates with sourcing insights, approach, cost models, and risk assessments.
• Coordinating with global category leads to leverage enterprise-wide spending and vendor relationships.

Contract & Commercial Oversight

• Draft and management agreements to include Purchase Contracts, Statements of Work (SOW), payment terms, and acceptance agreements (e.g., FAT/SAT).
• Ensure clarity in deliverables, timelines, and accountability mechanisms.
• Lead vendor onboarding and ensure readiness for execution and compliance.
• Manage relevant invoices or supply & demand vendor issues as they arise.

Day to Day Responsibilities:

• Align with key project stakeholders and gain agreement scope of support to build project deliverables and sourcing expectations.
• Develop, maintain and execute key project sourcing objectives and in some case develop and implement Service Level Agreements detailing actions and support to be provided to the project.
• Review project scope and identify cost, quality, or schedule initiatives that could be applied to project.  Develop and review with project team concise list of potential initiatives.
• Develop repeatable analytic skills and procurement expertise leveraging each project engagement.
• Vendor facing negotiation for optimal cost & schedule and develop key go to strategies that achieve sustainable relationship with vendors.
• Research and anticipate shifts as markets change to leverage negotiating tools and tactics with associated vendors.
• Align with Category Leads to manage key vendor performance criteria where applicable to ensure uninterrupted supply and performance management.
• Review the closure of each project to ensure learnings are optimized for applicability to next project to attain maximum efficiency and learning.
• Develop and cultivate effective relationships with Category Leads, key vendors, and key internal network of design, engineering, and project resources.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree - Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field.
• 5+ years of demonstrated strategic sourcing or procurement experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment that included capital sourcing.
• Very strong negotiation skillset.
• Strong analytical skills and are comfortable with managing and making decisions based on data.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Peoplesoft, etc.) and sourcing platforms.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings and specifications.

Desired Experiences

• Familiarity with capital project lifecycles and manufacturing operations.
• Experience sourcing custom-built, high level of intellectual property focus build to print equipment and\or design-build equipment and engineering services.
• Knowledge of global sourcing practices and vendor development.

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.  

The range for this position is $80,738.00 - $111,015.00 assuming full time status. Starting pay for the successful applicant is dependent on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education. 

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A job that shapes a life.  

Corning offers you the total package.  

We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To request an accommodation, please contact us at accommodations@corning.com.