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Cisco Senior GPO Lead in RTP, North Carolina

The Global Process Operations (GPO) group is a core component of the Product Operations Central team, providing a centralized hub of multi-disciplinary expertise that underpins the strategic and operational framework for Business Units (BUs) across the breadth of Cisco’s product portfolio. As a leader within this team, you will be instrumental in driving transformation and excellence across our operations.

In this role, you will act as a strategic partner and change agent, collaborating with leaders from Supply Chain, Global Manufacturing Operations (GMO), Technology & Quality (T&Q), Engineering, and beyond. Your mission will be to enhance execution capabilities, instill robust governance, provide clear policy direction, and optimize existing processes. Your work will directly contribute to Cisco’s overarching goal of delivering business value by fostering consistency, flexibility, and simplicity within Product Operations.

Who You Are

Your broad knowledge of supply chain operations and your proven track record in leading organizational change will ensure that you are not just responding to the needs of the business, but actively anticipating them and crafting strategies that set new industry standards for operational efficiency and effectiveness.

As a custodian of Cisco’s operational prowess, you will lead by example, using your extensive experience to drive critical initiatives, lead innovation, and build a legacy of continuous improvement and operational excellence within the company.

What You Will Do

As a seasoned leader, you will play a pivotal role in shaping our future by driving critical initiatives across multiple business units and organizations. Your expertise in supply chain management will be instrumental in fostering collaboration with senior leaders to enhance global processes and business practices. You will:

Lead and Influence: As a dynamic leader, you will orchestrate cross-functional teams that extend beyond Supply Chain, encompassing Global Manufacturing Operations (GMO), Technology & Quality (T&Q), Engineering, and other key business areas. Your leadership will not only influence peers and partners within these diverse groups but also shape strategic decisions and drive substantial organizational impact. Your ability to navigate complex relationships and unify various departments under common objectives will be critical to our collective success. Drive Strategic Vision: With a thorough understanding of supply chain operations, you will contribute to the strategy and execution of initiatives that promote efficiency, process improvement, and policy strengthening across the organization. Lea

Lead Organizational Transformation: Your role involves being a catalyst for change, advocating for innovative solutions that align with the company’s goals. By effectively using your experience, you will guide the organization through transformative processes, ensuring we stay ahead of the curve.

Risk Management and Mitigation: Identify potential risks through comprehensive multi-source technology assessments and analysis. You will be responsible for developing and implementing mitigation strategies that secure the integrity of our supply chain and quality of Cisco products.

Collaborate and Build Partnerships: Work closely with Supply Chain, Design Engineering, Finance, and Marketing teams to ensure that strategies are well integrated and aligned with both business objectives and technical requirements.

Optimize Operations: Through a deep understanding of our business and the supply chain landscape, you will analyze current data and processes, seeing opportunities for innovation and improvement. Your contributions will be critical in enhancing performance, efficiency, and sustainability within the company.

Who You Will Work With

As a senior GPO lead within the Product Operations Central team, you will not only manage and drive programs and processes but also serve as an inspiring leader, shaping the direction of our operations on a global scale. We are seeking a strategic problem solver who is ready to elevate their career and make a meaningful impact in our dynamic organization.

Qualifications for This Role

BA/BS degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

A minimum of 10+ years of experience in a leadership role within New Product Introduction (NPI) and Product Lifecycle Management Program/Project Management, with a proven track record of managing end-to-end projects across multiple business units, including Supply Chain, GMO, T&Q, and Engineering.

Experience with AGILE Scrum methodologies and a deep understanding of hardware development processes, ensuring that innovation is balanced with operational excellence.

Significant Business Unit exposure, especially in New Product Introduction/Product Operations, coupled with comprehensive knowledge of the product lifecycle management process from concept to full-scale production (FCS).

Demonstrated ability to drive cost avoidance, cost reduction, and value engineering initiatives, significantly contributing to the company's financial and operational goals.

Proficiency in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) processes and systems such as Agile PDM and Design Central, enabling effective management of product data and lifecycle activities.

Strategic understanding of Hardware and Software sourcing and fulfillment strategies to optimize supply chain operations and meet organizational objectives.

Exceptional organizational skills, with a track record of implementing plans diligently and a high degree of accountability for results.

Superior communication and influencing abilities, capable of effectively articulating strategies and gaining consensus from both internal teams and external partners at all organizational levels.

The ideal candidate will be a strategic problem solver with a strong operational background, who is ready to lead cross-functional initiatives and drive transformational change. Your experience will empower you to navigate the complexities of global operations and instill standard processes across various departments, ensuring alignment with the company's overarching strategic vision.

Desired Skills:

Knowledge of working across cross-functional groups, including but not limited to Cisco Engineering, and understanding of how to drive a product introduction's successful release with awareness of responsibilities, differences across groups and how this relates back to Supply Chain & Manufacturing processes.

Adept in conflict resolution, with the ability to promptly identify and address concerns when opposing goals arise among individuals, groups, or customers. You should be skilled in recognizing conflicts early, understanding different needs, and devising effective strategies to find common ground and resolve issues.

Proficient in project management, with the capability to develop, adapt, and adhere to project plans in the face of challenges. You should possess the agility to identify necessary resources and orchestrate their deployment to implement plans, while effectively managing, monitoring, and communicating project progress and parameters to all partners, ensuring alignment and collaboration.

The ability to lead initiatives that require a broad knowledge of multiple business areas outside of the traditional Supply Chain scope, such as GMO, T&Q, and Engineering, promoting a cohesive approach to achieving organizational objectives.

Demonstrable experience in driving efficiency, enhancing processes, and strengthening policies at a strategic level, ensuring that operational practices are robust and future-proof.

The ideal candidate will bring a blend of technical understanding and strategic business insight, with a history of successful leadership in a multi-functional environment. Your ability to navigate complex organizational structures and influence at all levels will be crucial in driving the company's innovation and operational excellence.

Why Cisco?

#WeAreCisco. We are all unique, but collectively we bring our talents to work as a team, to develop innovative technology and power a more inclusive, digital future for everyone. How do we do it? Well, for starters - with people like you!

Nearly every internet connection around the world touches Cisco. We’re the Internet’s optimists. Our technology makes sure the data traveling at light speed across connections does so securely, yet it’s not what we make but what we make happen which marks us out. We’re helping those who work in the health service to connect with patients and each other; schools, colleges, and universities to teach in even the most challenging of times. We’re helping businesses of all shapes and sizes to connect with their employees and customers in new ways, providing people with access to the digital skills they need and connecting the most remote parts of the world - whether through 5G, or otherwise.

We tackle whatever challenges come our way. We have each other’s backs, we recognize our accomplishments, and we grow together. We celebrate and support one another - from big and small things in life to big career moments. And giving back is in our DNA (we get 10 days off each year to do just that).

We know that powering an inclusive future starts with us. Because without diversity and a dedication to equality, there is no moving forward. Our 30 Inclusive Communities, that bring people together around commonalities or passions, are leading the way. Together we’re committed to learning, listening, caring for our communities, whilst supporting the most vulnerable with a collective effort to make this world a better place either with technology, or through our actions.

So, you have colorful hair? Don’t care. Tattoos? Show off your ink. Like polka dots? That’s cool. Pop culture geek? Many of us are. Passion for technology and world changing? Be you, with us! #WeAreCisco

Cisco is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.

Cisco will consider for employment, on a case by case basis, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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