Cisco Careers

Business Entity

This role is part of Cisco Supply Chain, under Global Manufacturing Operations, within the Central Manufacturing Operations - Procurement & Hub Operations team. Our team is responsible for enabling Cisco Material Purchasing and managing Inbound Models across the globe.

We specialize in managing inbound component hubs globally to ensure supply continuity for Cisco's manufacturing sites (PCBA and DF sites) while optimizing hub inventory and managing inventory-driven costs.

We work collaboratively with:

• Network Design & Management and Logistics teams to develop and maintain hub strategies and footprints.
• Service 14 teams on inventory policies.
• Service 15 teams to drive system and process enhancements for hub management.

Your Impact

As a Procurement & Inventory Operations Specialist, you will play a key role in managing Cisco Strategic Hubs to ensure supply continuity for Cisco's global manufacturing operations. You will focus on component procurement, inventory management, and driving efficiency in Cisco's hub operations.

In this role, you will:

• Enable Procurement Operations: Manage the end-to-end buying process, from validating purchase requests to creating purchase orders and managing open POs.
• Optimize Inventory Levels: Perform inventory analysis to manage aging and excess inventory, reconcile discrepancies, and support value recovery processes.
• Collaborate Across Teams: Partner with suppliers, contract manufacturers, and internal teams to streamline operations, resolve issues, and ensure seamless execution.
• Drive System and Process Enhancements: Identify and implement opportunities to improve operational efficiency and scalability.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement Operations (Oracle):

• Validate buy requests in accordance with Cisco's policy guidelines.
• Support new buy alignment and approval processes.
• Set up master data and enable CPNs (Cisco Part Numbers) for procurement.
• Create Purchase Orders (POs) and manage open POs, ensuring timely updates and tracking.
• Resolve EDI/B2B failure messages and troubleshoot system issues with IT teams.
• Collaborate with suppliers and Contract Manufacturers (CMs) to manage, track, and expedite shipments.
• Manage Return to Vendor (RTV) processes, including returning defective parts and arranging replacements or credits.
• Address accounts payable (AP) issues with Cisco Finance and suppliers.
• Manage Sales Orders and outbound shipments from hubs to CMs.

Inventory Management:

• Conduct inventory analysis to mitigate risks associated with aging and excess inventory.
• Support scrap and value recovery processes to optimize inventory usage.
• Reconcile inventory discrepancies and ensure data accuracy through regular audits.
• Generate and manage reports and dashboards to track inventory performance and provide actionable insights.

System & Process Enhancements:

• Collaborate with internal teams (Supply Chain, Finance, IT) and external partners (Suppliers, CMs, Hub Partners) to enhance systems and processes for hub management.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and scalability in Cisco's hub operations.

Who You'll Work With

You will collaborate with:

• Internal Teams: Cisco Supply Chain, Finance, IT, and other cross-functional teams.
• External Partners: Component suppliers, Contract Manufacturers (CMs), and Hub Partners to ensure smooth operations and supply continuity.

Minimum Qualifications

You bring a strong foundation in procurement and inventory operations, with proven experience in managing supply chain processes and collaborating with multiple stakeholders.

• Education:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field; coursework in Operations or Supply Chain Management is a plus.
• Experience:
• 3-5 years of experience in Supply Chain, preferably in the technology industry.
• Hands-on experience in procurement, materials management, and supplier/customer management.
• Technical Skills:
• Working knowledge of Oracle or other planning/ERP systems.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills to interpret data and drive actionable insights.
• Proficiency in generating and interpreting MIS and inventory reports.
• Soft Skills:
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Organized, responsive, and committed to delivering timely results.

Preferred Qualifications

Your additional skills and experiences make you a standout candidate:

• Familiarity with hub operations and inbound models.
• Experience with inventory optimization and cost management strategies.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve system/process issues in a dynamic environment.
• A self-starter who thrives in fast-paced, cross-functional environments with a focus on continuous improvement.

Location

• Preferred Location: Bangalore, India.
• Candidates must be flexible to work extended hours to support teams in Asia and US.
• Alternate Location: Penang, Malaysia.

At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint. Simply put – we power the future.

Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.

We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.