Supplier Account Management IV – Rare Earths

Applied Materials

. Develop and execute near-term and long-range category strategies for rare-earth materials, permanent magnets, motors, coatings, and related technologies .

Posted 10/13/2026full-timeUnited StatesSeniorLead💰 $116,000 - $159,500 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates advanced knowledge in strategic sourcing, supplier management, and contract lifecycle management, with a strong technical understanding of rare-earth elements and their value chains. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, negotiate complex agreements, and develop category strategies in supply-constrained markets.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Strategic SourcingSupplier Relationship ManagementContract Lifecycle ManagementCost ModelingGeopolitical Risk Assessment

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Category ManagementSupplier QualificationCost Reduction AnalysisMarket AnalysisTotal-Cost EvaluationMachining ProcessesMaterial SpecificationsNegotiation SkillsSupply Chain ManagementRisk Assessment

Soft Skills

Cross-Functional LeadershipAnalytical CapabilityExecutive CommunicationStakeholder AlignmentProblem Solving

Certifications & Qualifications

Professional Procurement Certification

Industry Keywords

Rare-Earth MaterialsPermanent MagnetsElectric MotorsCritical MineralsAdvanced MaterialsSupply Chain VulnerabilitiesTrade ComplianceSustainabilityGeopolitical ExposureQuality Systems

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and execute near-term and long-range category strategies for rare-earth materials, permanent magnets, motors, coatings, and related technologies
Assess global supply markets, capacity, cost drivers, geopolitical exposure, trade constraints, and supply-chain vulnerabilities
Translate market findings into sourcing and risk-mitigation plans
Identify, qualify, develop, and manage strategic suppliers across mining, separation, refining, alloying, magnet production, component manufacturing, and recycling value chains
Lead complex commercial negotiations and manage contracts covering pricing, supply commitments, capacity reservations, intellectual property, quality, liability, continuity, and performance
Build should-cost, total-cost-of-ownership, scenario, and business-case analyses for supplier selection and executive decisions
Partner with technical teams to define specifications, qualification requirements, product road maps, and supplier-development priorities
Establish supplier performance metrics and lead business reviews, corrective actions, capacity planning, and continuous-improvement initiatives
Develop dual-source, localization, inventory, recycling, and alternative-material strategies to improve resilience and reduce concentration risk
Coordinate cross-functional sourcing decisions and provide recommendations, risks, trade-offs, and approval requests to senior leadership
Maintain market intelligence on technology, pricing, regulation, sustainability, and emerging suppliers in the rare-earth ecosystem
Negotiate and manage supplier agreements structuring business relationships between Applied Materials and its supply base
Engage with the PLC process to align with commodity strategies
Direct new supplier introductions and supplier disengagement requirements
Drive resolution of systemic supply-chain issues affecting quality, cost, delivery, or lead time, including engagement with sub-tier suppliers
Develop and present high-level cost-reduction opportunities
Lead cross-functional teams and align stakeholders without relying solely on formal authority
Shape enterprise-level supply strategies for critical materials and components
Influence significant spend, multi-year commitments, supplier investments, capacity decisions, and technology-development priorities
Provide analyses and recommendations informing senior-management decisions across multiple products, business units, and regions

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in materials science, metallurgy, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, supply chain, business, or a related field
10+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, supplier management, commodity management, engineering, operations, or commercial contracting
Advanced knowledge of strategic sourcing, category management, supplier relationship management, negotiations, and contract lifecycle management
Technical understanding of rare-earth elements and the value chain from feedstock through separation, metals and alloys, magnets, motors, coatings, and finished components
Working knowledge of material specifications, manufacturing processes, supplier qualification, quality systems, and change-control requirements
Experience working with machine shops and suppliers of machined parts and assemblies
Knowledge of machining and machined-parts manufacturing processes, supplier capabilities, cost drivers, quality requirements, and production constraints
Working knowledge of aluminum and steel raw materials, including material grades, specifications, forms, processing methods, availability, and pricing drivers
Ability to negotiate and administer complex supply, development, confidentiality, and commercial agreements
Strong financial and analytical capability, including cost modeling, market analysis, forecasting, capacity analysis, and total-cost evaluation
Understanding of geopolitical, environmental, regulatory, responsible-sourcing, and trade-compliance considerations affecting critical minerals
Proficiency in supplier performance management, risk assessment, executive presentations, and cross-functional program management
Experience developing and implementing global category strategies in technically complex, supply-constrained, or highly regulated markets
Proven record managing high-value supplier relationships and achieving measurable improvements in cost, quality, delivery, capacity, innovation, and continuity
Experience operating across regions and cultures and engaging suppliers at executive, commercial, and technical levels
Experience briefing senior executives and preparing executive-level reports, presentations, business cases, and decision materials
Must be a U.S. person as defined by applicable U.S. export-control laws and regulations due to access to ITAR-controlled technical data and information
Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 50% of the time
Preferred: direct experience with permanent magnets, electric motors, rare-earth coatings, critical minerals, advanced materials, or adjacent high-technology supply chains
Preferred: experience negotiating long-term agreements, take-or-pay structures, capacity investments, index-based pricing, or other strategic supply mechanisms
Preferred: working relationships or market experience across North America, Europe, and Asia
Preferred: graduate degree, professional procurement certification, or formal contracting or negotiation training

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive benefits package
Bonus program eligibility
Stock award program eligibility
Relocation eligible
Supportive work culture encouraging learning, development, and career growth
Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally
Equal opportunity employment
Accessibility assistance during the application process