Category Lead, Capital Equipment (CAPEX)

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena builds the critical infrastructure powering the AI era. We’re a technology company shaping the future of networking, guided by innovation, integrity, and collaboration. Through development opportunities, meaningful work, and flexibility, Ciena supports growth and well-being—on and off the job. Connect with a career that matters.

How You Will Contribute:

Ciena is seeking a strategic, results-driven Category Prime - Capital Equipment (CapEx) to lead global category management, strategic sourcing, and supplier relationship management for capital expenditure investments across the organization.

This role serves as the primary commercial interface between Procurement, Engineering, Global Operations, Manufacturing, Product Development, and Finance to ensure Ciena acquires and manages high-performance, cost-effective, and scalable capital assets. These investments may include test and measurement equipment, manufacturing automation, laboratory infrastructure, reliability testing systems, production tooling, and other technology-enabling equipment critical to Ciena's innovation and operational success.

The successful candidate will develop and execute multi-year category strategies, lead complex commercial negotiations, optimize total cost of ownership (TCO), mitigate supply and commercial risks, and establish supplier partnerships that support Ciena's technology roadmap and business growth objectives.

The Must Haves:

Strategic Category Management & Planning

• •Develop and execute multi-year category strategies aligned with business objectives, technology roadmaps, manufacturing requirements, and capital investment plans.
• •Analyze spend data, market intelligence, supplier capabilities, and industry trends to identify sourcing opportunities and long-term value creation.
• •Partner with Engineering, Product Development, Global Operations, Manufacturing, and Finance teams to align equipment sourcing decisions with business priorities.
• •Support capital planning and budgeting processes through cost forecasting, market insights, lead-time analysis, and sourcing recommendations.
• •Build and maintain category roadmaps that balance cost, capability, innovation, risk, and scalability.

Strategic Sourcing & Commercial Leadership

• •Lead end-to-end sourcing activities, including RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, supplier evaluations, bid analysis, negotiations, supplier selection, and contract award processes.
• •Develop commercial strategies that optimize cost, quality, service, delivery performance, and long-term supplier relationships.
• •Negotiate complex commercial agreements, including master purchase agreements, statements of work (SOWs), maintenance agreements, support contracts, warranties, service-level agreements (SLAs), leasing arrangements, and other supplier commitments.
• •Utilize total cost of ownership (TCO), should-cost analysis, and value engineering principles to support sourcing and investment decisions.
• •Drive savings, cost avoidance, working capital improvements, and productivity initiatives across assigned categories.
• •Establish preferred supplier frameworks and standardization strategies where appropriate to maximize leverage and operational efficiency.

Supplier Relationship & Performance Management

• •Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key equipment manufacturers, technology providers, and service partners.
• •Implement Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) practices, including business reviews, performance scorecards, continuous improvement initiatives, and executive-level engagement.
• •Evaluate supplier performance across cost, quality, reliability, responsiveness, innovation, and service metrics.
• •Collaborate with suppliers and stakeholders to resolve performance issues and implement corrective actions when required.
• •Support supplier innovation and technology advancement opportunities that create business value for Ciena.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Project Support

• •Collaborate with Engineering and Operations teams to develop sourcing strategies and equipment specifications early in project lifecycles.
• •Support New Product Introduction (NPI), manufacturing readiness, laboratory expansion, automation initiatives, and other strategic investments.
• •Provide commercial expertise and procurement leadership for capital business cases, investment approvals, and vendor selection activities.
• •Partner with Finance to monitor capital expenditures, forecast spending requirements, and ensure alignment with approved budgets.
• •Ensure compliance with procurement policies, contractual obligations, corporate governance, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Risk Management & Asset Lifecycle Optimization

• •Assess and mitigate commercial, supplier, technology, capacity, and supply chain risks across assigned categories.
• •Develop sourcing and supplier strategies that enhance business continuity and reduce dependency risks.
• •Support asset lifecycle management activities, including equipment upgrades, service support transitions, end-of-life planning, redeployment, and optimization initiatives.
• •Identify opportunities to improve equipment utilization, standardization, and lifecycle cost performance across Ciena's global footprint.

Analytics & Continuous Improvement

• •Leverage spend analytics, market intelligence, supplier benchmarking, and category performance data to drive informed decision-making.
• •Establish and maintain category KPIs, dashboards, and reporting mechanisms for leadership visibility.
• •Track and communicate savings, cost avoidance, supplier performance, risk exposure, and strategic initiative progress.
• •Drive process improvements, sourcing excellence, and adoption of procurement best practices across stakeholder groups.

Assets:

Required Qualifications

• •Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Finance, or a related field.
• •7+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or category management.
• •Demonstrated experience managing capital equipment, laboratory infrastructure, manufacturing technology, automation systems, test equipment, or related CapEx categories.
• •Proven track record leading complex commercial negotiations and delivering measurable cost savings, TCO improvements, and business value.
• •Strong understanding of contract development, risk management, supplier performance management, and sourcing strategy.
• •Experience influencing cross-functional stakeholders across Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Finance, and Legal organizations.
• •Strong analytical, communication, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• •Experience utilizing ERP systems and procurement technologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• •MBA, Master's degree, or equivalent advanced education.
• •Professional certifications such as CPSM, CIPS, APICS/CPIM, or equivalent.
• •Experience within telecommunications, networking technology, electronics manufacturing, high-tech, or advanced manufacturing industries.
• •Global procurement and multi-site category management experience.
• •Familiarity with capital investment planning, equipment lifecycle management, laboratory operations, manufacturing automation, and technology development environments.
• •Experience with sourcing analytics, business intelligence tools, and e-sourcing platforms.

Key Competencies

• •Strategic Category Management
• •Commercial & Financial Acumen
• •Supplier Relationship Management
• •Contract Negotiation
• •Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Analysis
• •Risk Identification & Mitigation
• •Cross-Functional Leadership
• •Data-Driven Decision Making
• •Executive Communication & Influence
• •Continuous Improvement Mindset

Success Metrics

Success in this role will be measured through:

• •Delivery of annual savings and cost avoidance targets.
• •Improvements in total cost of ownership across assigned categories.
• •Supplier performance, quality, service, and delivery imp