Successful SSMs thrive in a rapidly changing environment and constantly drive excellence across their own responsibilities as well as that of team members and partners. They frequently leverage strategic internal relationships to effectively collaborate with design, development and other Apple teams. You are able to make smart decisions with the information available, think and stay focused under pressure, and communicate concisely and effectively with senior management as well as peers. SSMs scale new and existing manufacturing partners as well as executing creative and strategic commercial deals to achieve goals around cost, supply, and quality. PROJECT MANAGEMENT: - Work with a team to manage proposals and change orders for projects. - Track project on site date requirements and work with vendors to fabricate, deliver, and install on schedule. - Support and troubleshoot store integration/installation issues worldwide. - Develop new methodologies and processes to improve team productivity in key project management tasks. STRATEGY: - Improve existing supplier strategy and support expansion of the supply base. - Develop and implement overall supply chain strategy and be expected to manage executive level relationships with supply base. - Understand the trade-offs between cost, volume, and quality in order to strike agreements that meet Apple’s performance criteria and secure long-term supply continuity. - Optimize supply chain performance through cost and capacity scenario analysis, and benchmarking. - Travel as necessary to facilitate new supplier onboarding and ensure quality specifications are met for worldwide supply base. - Partner with SCD and Development for cost and schedule efficiency opportunities SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT: - Manage the resources and drive the distribution of RFP’s, contract negotiations and procurement for the commodity worldwide. - Exercise individual judgment to lead pricing negotiations through supply base with support from cross-functional team members. - Drive value-engineering initiatives for this commodity. - Continuous research and education of key components and suppliers to review market trends applicable to improving the store environment. - Negotiate contracts with occasional support and management review for key terms and conditions.