Material Group Manager

Who we are

In a life without sound, our work provides meaning. As a leading provider of innovative hearing care solutions, we are not just a company that makes products: we are a team on a mission to help people enjoy the delight of hearing. To enable a life without limitations, through our core business brands – Advanced Bionics, Audiological Care, Phonak, Sennheiser (under license) and Unitron – we develop, manufacture and distribute solutions that push the limits of technology and redefine the future of our industry.

Valencia, CA – Hybrid 

Material Group Manager

The Material Group Manager is responsible for developing and implementing sourcing strategies for a defined group of materials or components, ensuring alignment with business objectives such as cost optimization, innovation, and supply security. This role acts as the strategic interface between the supplier market and internal stakeholders, managing key supplier relationships and leading commercial negotiations. Additionally, the position serves as the lead purchaser in cross-functional project teams, supporting product development from concept to production. Through close collaboration with Engineering, Quality, and Program Management, the Material Group Manager ensures timely sourcing, cost transparency, and risk mitigation throughout the product lifecycle. The role is critical in driving long-term supplier performance, standardization, and competitive advantage within the assigned material group.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute global sourcing strategies aligned with company goals, cost targets, and market dynamics
• Drive supplier selection, qualification, and development based on quality, cost, capability, and compliance standards
• Lead cost optimization initiatives using total cost of ownership (TCO), value engineering, and benchmarking analyses
• Build strong, strategic supplier partnerships through regular performance reviews and collaboration on innovation and sustainability goals
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all strategic purchasing matters, including supplier escalations and project sourcing needs
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, R&D, Quality, and Manufacturing to align sourcing strategies with technical requirements
• Prepare, negotiate, and manage supplier contracts, pricing agreements, and service level expectations
• Support new product introductions by managing RFQs, supplier nominations, and material sourcing from prototype to production
• Maintain accurate supplier and sourcing data in ERP systems, supporting transparency and continuous process improvement
• Contribute to make-or-buy decisions and implement second-source strategies to mitigate risk and ensure supply continuity
• Other duties may be assigned

Travelling Requirement: more than 10%

More about you:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree

Work Experience

• 5 plus years of Procurement and/or relevant Supply Chain experience within a cross-functional environment.
•  Experience in the medical device industry (Class II or III)

Professional Competencies

• Knowledge of Procurement and Supply Chain principles and concepts

• Ability to read and interpret product specifications and BOMs

Nice to Have

• ISM or APICS certifications desired.

Language(s)/ Level

• English/ Proficient

Nice to Have

• Spanish or Mandarin

IT Skills Strong computer skills:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (especially Excel), SAP or other ERP systems

Nice to Have

• SAP and PLM knowledge strongly desired

A minimum of 200Mb/sec download and 10Mb/sec upload speed internet connectivity is required to support any remote/hybrid employee functionality at Sonova

Don't meet all the criteria?  If you’re willing to go all in and learn we'd love to hear from you! 

 What we offer:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage*
• Health Savings, Health Reimbursement, Flexible Spending/Dependent Care Accounts
• TeleHealth options
• 401k plan with company match*
• Company paid life/ad&d insurance
  • Additional supplemental life/ad&d coverage available
• Company paid Short/Long-Term Disability coverage (STD/LTD)
  • STD LTD Buy-ups available
• Accident/Hospital Indemnity coverage
• Legal/ID Theft Assistance
• PTO (or sick and vacation time), floating Diversity Day, & paid holidays*
• Paid parental bonding leave
• Employee Assistance Program (24/7 mental health support hotline, 5 company paid counseling sessions and more)
• Robust Internal Career Growth opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement
• Hearing aid discount for employees and family
• Internal social recognition platform
• D&I focused: D&I council and employee resource groups

*Plan rules/offerings dependent upon group Company/location.

This role's pay range is between $94,000/yr - $118,000.00 (based on location). This role is also eligible for bonus.  

How we work:

At Sonova, we prioritize the well-being of our employees and foster an inclusive environment that promotes engagement and collaboration. Our team-customized hybrid work model empowers teams to balance individual needs with business goals, offering flexibility and individualized time management. We recognize the importance of life outside of work and strive to create a supportive and motivating workplace where innovation thrives.