Procurement and Inventory Mgmt. Specialist

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.

We are seeking a highly skilled and results-driven Procurement and Inventory Mgmt. Specialist The successful candidate will manage indirect procurement categories, develop supplier relationships, and lead cross-functional collaboration to ensure cost efficiency, operational excellence, and alignment with business objectives. This role requires strong leadership, negotiation, and strategic planning skills to drive procurement initiatives and deliver measurable savings while fostering a culture of integrity and teamwork.

How You Will Contribute:

• Manage indirect procurement categories for the NPI Test Station Engineering group to align with business objectives and ensure cost efficiency.
• Develop and execute RFx documents (RFPs, RFQs, etc.), negotiating contracts on payment terms, pricing, lead times, and minimum order quantities (MOQ).
• Lead complex RFx projects by collaborating with engineering, legal, and finance teams to implement contracts such as Statements of Work (SOW), Purchase Engagement Letters (PEL), Master Purchase Agreements, and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA).
• Build and maintain strong relationships with over 50 suppliers, ensuring effective communication and resolving issues promptly.
• Monitor supplier performance to ensure compliance with pricing and lead time goals while mitigating shortages and cost increases.
• Manage inventory to ensure the availability of required materials and safety stock, optimizing turnover and collaborating with logistics teams to meet delivery needs.
• Assist with procurement budget management, aligning purchases with financial outlooks, identifying cost reduction opportunities, and improving financial performance.

The Must Haves:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, supply chain, or a related field.
• A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in procurement, material management, or relevant areas.
• Proficiency in Excel and working knowledge of Power BI.
• Strong organizational skills coupled with troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving expertise.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while fostering collaboration to achieve results.
• Familiarity with Agile and Oracle systems is advantageous.

Nice to Haves:

• Experience in supplier performance monitoring and resolution of logistical challenges.
• Proven ability to develop and execute RFx documents and negotiate contracts effectively.
• Expertise in optimizing inventory turnover while maintaining safety stock levels.
• Knowledge of cost reduction strategies and procurement budget alignment.
• Background in engineering or technical procurement environments.
• Exposure to cross-functional collaboration in legal, finance, and engineering teams.
• Experience with advanced analytics tools beyond Excel and Power BI.

Pay Range:

The salary range for this role in Ottawa is $80, 200 – $128, 000

Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.

Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission. In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation time. We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.

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At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard. Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.

Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.

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