The application window is expected to close on: 04/30/2026

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

This role will be Hybrid from our San Jose, CA or Austin, TX offices.

Meet the Team

Partner Sourcing Managers are integral to our Supply Chain Operations, focusing on strategic sourcing and robust partner management to support Cisco's product portfolio. We are a collaborative team dedicated to innovation, continuous improvement, and driving strategic value through our EMS, OEM, and ODM partnerships.

Your Impact

As a Partner Sourcing Manager, you will be instrumental in optimizing Cisco's supply chain by developing and leading strategic relationships with our key manufacturing partners. Your expertise will ensure the delivery of the best value chain in the world, directly impacting our product portfolio and operational efficiency. You will be responsible for establishing and executing end-to-end solutions sourcing strategies for a diverse group of Cisco Products, with a strong emphasis on partner engagement and cost optimization.

Role & Responsibilities:

• Act as a key business partner to Global Manufacturing Operations (GMO), Product Operations, and various Business Units, driving sourcing strategy and new business awards.

• Develop, nurture, and manage strategic relationships with our EMS, OEM, and ODM partners, ensuring tight-knit collaboration and performance alignment.

• Deliver comprehensive supply chain partner solutions for both new and sustaining Cisco Product Segments, ensuring alignment with technology, product, and supply chain roadmaps.

• Drive continuous improvement of our overall Sourcing Strategy, ensuring Cisco remains at the forefront of supply chain solutions in the industry.

• Build and nurture positive relationships with leadership teams across multiple functions, including Business Unit, Product Operations, Quality, Manufacturing Operations, and Global Supply Management (GSM).

• Demonstrate strong leadership and collaboration skills, developing timely solutions to complex supply chain challenges in high-pressure environments to resolve critical business problems.

• Develop and execute robust sourcing strategies, cultivate strong partner relationships, and drive the most beneficial solutions for Cisco.

• Lead complex negotiations with partners, focusing on cost reduction, contract terms, and performance metrics. Leverage data-driven insights from 'Should Cost' models and market intelligence to achieve optimal pricing and value.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within Sourcing processes and strategy, including dual sourcing of platforms and PIDs, product specification change management, and re-evaluation of product moves sourcing processes.

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in sourcing, commodity management, partner management, and supply chain management.

• Bachelor’s Degree required

• Strong foundational knowledge of sourcing practices and advanced negotiation strategies, with a consistent track record in cost negotiation.

• Validated knowledge of the EMS (Electronic Manufacturing Services), OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), and ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) supply base industry.

• Understanding of supply chain management requirements across all phases of the product development and manufacturing process cycle.

• Excellent communication skills (presentation, written, verbal) capable of articulating both technical and non-technical issues effectively.

• Demonstrated ability to proactively leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to accelerate sourcing processes and achieve operational scalability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree preferred

• Equally adept at influencing engineering and New Product Introduction (NPI) teams, as well as senior management.

• Capable of influencing internal decision-makers and external partners to align with strategies and objectives that benefit the entire organization.

• Effective team-building skills, fostering collaboration between different functional areas.

• Significant and diverse management experience preferred.

• Ability to develop collaborative solutions leveraging both business acumen and technical expertise.

• Demonstrated record of sound decision-making on complex programs, effective conflict resolution, maintaining deadlines, and exhibiting leadership across organizations.

• Proven team leadership and people development skills are highly desirable.

• Knowledge of Cisco product and solutions platforms (e.g., access, IP NGN, video, switching, routing, and system architecture) along with their current and future technology requirements is highly desirable.

Why Cisco?

At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint.

Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.

We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:

The starting salary range posted for this position is $143,600.00 to $182,500.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation, equity, or benefits.

Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco’s plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.

U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco’s policies:

• 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees

• 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco

• Non-exempt employees receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees

• Exempt employees participate in Cisco’s flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations)

• 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next

• Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members

• Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer

For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco’s policies.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:

• .75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;

• 1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;

• 1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and

• Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.

For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:

New York City Metro Area:

$143,600.00 - $209,900.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

$128,800.00 - $187,800.00

• For quota-based sales roles on Cisco’s sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.

Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.