Vendor Managment

Location: Ra'anana

DriveNets is a leader in cloud-native networking software and hardware, enabling the world's largest network operators to build scalable, high-performance infrastructure. Our Global SC & HW Operations team is the engine behind hardware delivery — from BOM to customer — spanning engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and quality across a global partner ecosystem.

The Role

We are looking for a Vendor Manager to own the end-to-end relationship with our component and sub-system vendors — starting with Optics suppliers and expanding to future strategic partners.

This is not a buyer role and not a narrow technical position. You will be the single point of accountability between DriveNets and each vendor: commercial governance, supply continuity, quality oversight, NPI execution, and RMA management — all in one role.

You will work closely with Engineering & Quality, Global Supply Chain, and Planning, and report to the Director of Global Supply Chain.

What You'll Do

Vendor Onboarding

•    Lead end-to-end onboarding of new vendors — technical qualification, internal and external commercial setup, quality baseline, and NPI readiness

•    Coordinate qualification audits (PPAP/FAI) and production readiness reviews before first shipment

Commercial Management

•    Own pricing, capacity commitments, payment terms, and contracts for each managed vendor

•    Drive quarterly business reviews (QBRs); act as the primary escalation point for commercial disputes and supply deviations

•    Maintain alternative source qualifications and business continuity plans

Forecast, Supply & Delivery

•    Receive MPS / forecast from planning and drive delivery execution with vendors against committed timelines

•    Track delivery performance; proactively surface shortages and capacity issues with mitigation options

•    Manage vendor liability: consigned inventory, write-off decisions, aging stock

Quality & Technical Governance

•    Own vendor quality KPIs (FPY, DPPM, corrective action closure); coordinate resolution between vendor, Engineering, and Quality

•    Track engineering changes (PCN) and manage vendor NPI participation across EVT, DVT, and PVT builds

RMA & Field Returns

•    Manage field returns to vendor: return authorization, failure analysis coordination, and replacement shipment tracking

•    Ensure 8D root cause closure and feed learnings back into production

•    10+ years in vendor management, strategic sourcing, or supply chain in a hardware technology company

•    Proven track record managing vendors end-to-end — commercial, technical, quality, and supply — simultaneously

•    Background in networking, optical, or high-speed electronic components; Optics / photonics experience is a strong advantage

•    Hands-on with NPI cycles: qualification, EVT/DVT/PVT, PCN management

•    Contract negotiation experience: supply agreements, pricing frameworks, capacity commitments

•    Commercial acumen — able to negotiate and manage vendor P&L impact

•    Engineering literacy — reads specs, engages credibly with engineering teams

•    Data-driven — delivery data, quality metrics, and cost analysis drive decisions

•    Cross-functional influencer — earns trust across Engineering, SC, Product, and Finance

•    Structured communicator — clear in escalation forums and cross-functional reviews

•    ERP familiarity (SAP, Priority, or equivalent)