Global Supply Manager, Soft Goods

Summary

Apple is seeking an experienced Global Supply Manager (GSM) to join our Soft Goods Materials team. This group manages the end-to-end commercial and operational lifecycle of Apple's custom materials — from early sourcing and development through NPI builds, ramp, and mass production. Our materials feed critical components, sub-assemblies, and finished accessories across Apple's entire product ecosystem, including iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro, Audio, and Home product categories. Our portfolio spans a broad range of unique materials, including technical textiles, polyurethane films, adhesives, coatings, and specialized resins.

Description

In this role, you will bridge technical engineering risk, manufacturing capabilities, and business execution. You will define and execute supply chain strategies, drive commercial negotiations, structure operationalbudgets and amortization plans, manage supplier labor and engineering resources, oversee capacity and mass production equipment readiness, lead the resolution of material issues during ramp, and implement post-launch supply chain adjustments. You will assemble cross-functional readiness reviews, consolidate executive briefings, and lead formal upward escalations to leadership while partnering closely with Industrial Design, Product Design, Quality, and Operations to deliver scalable and resilient material supply chains.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute comprehensive material supply chain and sourcing strategies supporting components and accessories across iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro, Audio, and Home categories.

Build detailed should-cost models and lead commercial negotiations with suppliers to achieve target costs while maintaining manufacturing viability.

Manage NPI operational budgets, and structure, track, and audit capital expenditure (CapEx) and tooling/equipment amortization plans.

Formulate, model, and execute data-driven supplier allocation recommendations, balancing risk, cost, capacity, quality metrics, and strategic vendor development.

Lead the end-to-end identification, onboarding, and qualification of new material suppliers to expand technical capabilities and enhance supply chain resilience. Draft and execute commercial agreements and statements of work for new material development programs.

Own end-to-end capacity planning and mass production (MP) equipment coordination, ensuring machinery, tooling, direct labor staffing, and vendor engineering support are in place to meet ramp demand curves.

Serve as the primary operations lead for material issues during production ramp, collaborating with Quality, Technical Operations, and suppliers to quickly resolve yield fallout and process bottlenecks.

Assemble cross-functional material readiness reviews, consolidate executive briefings, and lead formal upward escalations to operations and product leadership.

Provide on-site management at material supplier facilities during development builds and ramp to audit line readiness and enforce operational controls.

Proactively identify technical, quality, and supply risks early in the program, establishing effective mitigation and dual-sourcing plans.

Track post-launch yield curves, field performance, and shifting demand to drive necessary supply chain and production adjustments.

Manage buffer stock strategies, lead-time changes, and capacity rebalancing to protect supply continuity while minimizing excess and obsolete (E&O) liabilities.

Support ongoing engineering change orders (ECOs) and continuous yield and cost improvement initiatives throughout the product lifecycle.

Serve as the main commercial and operational contact for assigned global material suppliers, driving alignment with Apple’s performance and quality expectations.

Evaluate and qualify new supplier candidates across technical capabilities, quality systems, financial health, and scalability.

Partner with Industrial Design (ID), Product Design (PD), and Operations teams to assess material feasibility, resolve design-versus manufacturing trade-offs, and scale new material technologies.

Travel up to 25%.

Minimum Qualifications

5+ years of experience in global supply chain management, product development,
operations, or manufacturing.
Experience defining and executing supply chain strategies, including new supplier identification, onboarding, qualification, and data-driven allocation recommendations to drive strategic initiatives.
Strong background in bottom-up should-cost modeling, price negotiations, supplier financial assessments, managing NPI operational budgets, and structuring tooling/equipment amortization plans.
Proven ability to build capacity models, develop robust production plans, coordinate equipment qualification, and support labor planning at suppliers.
Demonstrated leadership in resolving quality, yield, and supply continuity issues under tight timelines during production ramp.
Experience assembling cross-functional readiness reviews, consolidating executive briefings, and leading formal upward escalations to leadership teams.
Experience monitoring post-launch demand and yield signals to execute supply chain adjustments and manage inventory risks.
Experience modeling and recommending data-driven supplier allocations that balance cost, capacity, risk, and supplier performance.
Bachelor's degree

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering,
Supply Chain, Materials Science, or a related technical field.
Hands-on familiarity with materials manufacturing processes, such as textiles, yarn, polyurethane films, adhesives, coatings, or resins at scale

Pay & Benefits — Cupertino, California, United States

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $163,500 and $246,200, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

Application Deadline

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.