The Role
The Head of Global Sourcing is a senior enterprise leader responsible for shaping and executing IPG Photonics' global sourcing strategy across a complex, high‑growth, high‑technology environment. Overseeing approximately $250M in annual global spend across direct and indirect categories, this leader manages a geographically distributed sourcing organization with expanding capabilities in North America, Europe, and a rapidly growing footprint in Asia.
This role is accountable for building and sustaining a world‑class, resilient supplier ecosystem that supports IPG's innovation, vertically integrated manufacturing model, and operational excellence. This role drives sourcing strategy, supplier development, and total cost optimization across critical technologies including fiber lasers, photonics components, semiconductor‑related technologies, electronics, machining, and high‑precision assemblies to keep the supply chain competitive, scalable, and aligned with long‑term business growth.
This leader will shape the future of IPG's global sourcing model driving strategic supplier partnerships, maturing sourcing processes, and expanding operational capability worldwide, with particular emphasis on building a high‑performing sourcing organization in Asia.
Primary Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Evolve and execute a global sourcing strategy aligned with IPG's growth, new product development, innovation, and cost‑competitiveness objectives.
- Lead commodity strategies across critical spend categories including optics, electronics, machining, metals, PCB/PCBA, semiconductor components, and high‑precision assemblies.
- Expand and mature sourcing and supplier‑development capabilities in Asia, accelerating footprint growth and ensuring regional supply resilience.
- Develop, manage, and optimize relationships with global contract manufacturers, ensuring capability alignment, cost competitiveness, quality performance, and scalable capacity to support IPG's growth.
- Drive supplier segmentation, long-term agreements, and strategic partnerships to improve scalability, continuity, and performance.
- Partner closely with R&D, Product Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to ensure supplier capabilities support current and emerging technology requirements.
Operational Excellence
- Optimize total cost of ownership (TCO) through strategic sourcing, value engineering, and proactive supplier negotiations.
- Deploy advanced digital tools, analytics, and dashboards to improve visibility, traceability, cost modeling, and supplier performance.
- Lead and develop a global team of sourcing leaders, commodity managers, and supplier development engineers.
- Build standardized global processes, category playbooks, and sourcing frameworks to drive consistency and execution excellence.
Risk, Compliance & Resilience
- Establish and evolve an enterprise-level supplier risk management framework, including dual sourcing, geopolitical risk mitigation, financial health monitoring, and supply continuity planning.
- Ensure global suppliers meet IPG standards for quality, compliance, sustainability, and regulatory adherence (ISO, industry certifications, ESG expectations).
- Monitor market, technology, and geopolitical trends to proactively anticipate disruptions and inform long‑range sourcing strategy.
Cross-Functional Partnership & Leadership
- Partner closely with R&D, Product Engineering, Operations, and Finance to align sourcing strategy with business priorities.
- Lead executive‑level supplier negotiations, escalations, and business reviews.
- Develop and mentor a global team of sourcing leaders, commodity managers, and supplier development engineers.
Requirements:
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field; MBA preferred.
- 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in global sourcing, supply management, or direct materials procurement within manufacturing or high‑technology industries.
- Deep expertise with global supply markets and precision manufacturing supply chains (electronics, optics, photonics, semiconductors, machining, or related high‑tech sectors).
- Proven success leading large, global teams—ideally with significant experience building or scaling sourcing organizations in Asia.
- Demonstrated track record of delivering year‑over‑year cost savings, supplier performance improvement, and structural productivity.
- Experience implementing KPIs, supplier scorecards, and governance processes across a global enterprise.
- Strong negotiation, commercial strategy, and contract management capabilities.
- Excellent executive communication skills, with the ability to influence across a matrixed global organization.
- Willingness to travel internationally up to 30%.
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic, systems‑level thinker who anticipates long‑term needs and navigates complexity with clarity.
- Strong business acumen with the ability to translate supply chain decisions into P&L impact.
- Demonstrated ability to build trust, influence without authority, and lead across cultures and regions.
- Commitment to continuous improvement, operational excellence, and innovation.
- Inclusive leader who develops people, builds strong global teams, and fosters collaboration.
Req Benefits: Pay Range: The pay range on this posting applies to the role in the primary location specified. If the candidate would ultimately work outside of the primary location posted, the applicable range could differ. Actual starting pay is determined by a number of factors including relevant skills, qualifications, and experience. Other Compensation: Employees in this role are eligible for additional rewards which could include: Annual Discretionary Bonus or Sales Bonus as Applicable Benefits Provided: All Regular* US employees receive: Paid vacation time accrued based on years of service Paid sick time 12 (twelve) Paid Holidays Each Calendar Year *Prorated for reduced hour schedules Additional Benefits Offered: IPG also offers access to: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans with options for HSA/FSA Dependent Care FSA Paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance 401(k) plan with Company matching Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) Tuition Reimbursement Program Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Adoption Assistance Pet Insurance Parental Bonding Leave Bright Horizons Backup Care Bright Horizons College Coach *Benefits eligibility may differ by program for reduced hour schedules. Deadline and How to Apply This job posting will remain active until a candidate is identified and/or the Company rescinds the job posting. For full consideration, please click on the link to apply.
