Director of Strategic Sourcing

ABOUT OLIX AI is growing faster than any technology in history and the explosion in demand has created a massive infrastructure gap; we can no longer build chips or power stations fast enough to keep up. The industry is still leaning on a ten-year-old hardware blueprint that has reached its limit. A new paradigm that is faster and more efficient will be the biggest economic opportunity of the next century and create the most important company of the next decade. The OLIX Decode Accelerator 1 (DX-1) is the first accelerator architected specifically for decode. Rack-scale co-design of logic, data movement, packaging, optics and interconnect enables a step change in system level performance. THE ROLE We are seeking an experienced Director of Strategic Sourcing to build and lead a world-class Global Supply Management (GSM) organization supporting the development and production of next-generation photonic and semiconductor products. This role is responsible for developing the company's global supplier ecosystem by establishing supplier strategies, commercial partnerships, and supplier management processes that enable the business to scale from early product development through high-volume manufacturing. Working closely with Engineering, Product, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, and Finance, you will ensure our suppliers become a strategic competitive advantage through technology leadership, operational excellence, and long-term partnerships. This is a highly collaborative leadership role responsible for shaping the company's external manufacturing strategy across semiconductor fabrication, advanced packaging, photonics, optical components, electronics, precision mechanics, contract manufacturing, and capital equipment. You will partner with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to balance innovation, quality, cost, capacity, and supply continuity while building a resilient global supply network capable of supporting rapid company growth. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Develop the supplier ecosystem: Develop the supplier ecosystem: Build a global supplier ecosystem spanning semiconductor fabrication, photonic manufacturing, electronics, precision mechanics, contract manufacturing, and capital equipment. - Lead strategic partnerships: Lead strategic supplier partnerships through supplier selection, commercial negotiations, long-term agreements, supplier performance, and technology collaboration. - Enable product scale: Partner with Engineering, Product Management, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, and Finance to enable successful new product introduction, manufacturing readiness, and production scale. - Secure long-term growth: Develop supplier, capacity, and manufacturing strategies that secure the partnerships, capabilities, and production capacity required to support long-term business growth while identifying and closing strategic supply gaps. - Build a world-class organisation: Build and lead a Global Supply Management organization capable of scaling from early product development through high-volume manufacturing. SKILLS & EXPERIENCE - Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline. - 12+ years of Global Supply Management or Supply Chain leadership experience within the semiconductor or photonics industries, including at least five years leading teams. - Proven success developing global supplier strategies that enable product launches and manufacturing scale. - Experience building strategic partnerships with semiconductor foundries, OSATs, contract manufacturers, and key suppliers. - Strong commercial negotiation and contract management experience. - Deep understanding of supplier selection, qualification, performance management, and supply risk management. - Experience supporting outsourced manufacturing business models across semiconductor fabrication, advanced packaging, photonics, electronics manufacturing, precision mechanics, and final assembly and test. - Strong business and financial acumen with the ability to evaluate supplier capabilities, manufacturing strategies, investment decisions, and commercial tradeoffs. - Exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills with the ability to influence executive stakeholders and build high-performing teams. NICE TO HAVE - Bachelor's degree in Engineering. - MBA or Master's degree. - Experience applying Lean Six Sigma principles to supplier development, supplier performance, and manufacturing operations.   COMPENSATION & EQUITY - Competitive Salary: Commensurate with your experience, skills, and location - Equity & Ownership: Meaningful stock options. You’re not just joining the mission; you’re owning a piece of it - Proximity Bonus: We value your time. To minimise your commute and maximise your life, we offer an annual Living-Local Bonus if your residence is within 20 minutes of the office - Retirement Benefits: Employer-contributed retirement plans to help you build long-term financial security Due to U.S. export control regulations, candidates’ eligibility to work at OLIX depends on their most recent citizenship or permanent residency status. We are generally unable to consider applicants whose most recent citizenship or permanent residence is in certain restricted countries (currently including Iran, North Korea, Syria, Cuba, Russia, Belarus, China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Venezuela). Applicants who have subsequently obtained citizenship or permanent residency in another country not subject to these restrictions may still be eligible.