Director of Product Optimization

Salary Range: 166,940.00-236,500.00

Company Description

At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.

At our core, Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we’ve been doing just that. Our technology helped people put a man on the moon.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest growth organizations in the world. From energizing the most competitive gaming platforms, to enabling systems to make cities safer and cars smarter and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and public cloud, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Binge-watch any shows, use social media or shop online lately? You’ll find Western Digital supporting the storage infrastructure behind many of these platforms. And, that flash memory card that captures and preserves your most precious moments? That’s us, too.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, storage devices and platforms for business and consumers alike. Our data-centric solutions are comprised of the Western Digital®, G-Technology™, SanDisk® and WD® brands.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. It’s You & Western Digital. Together, we’re the next BIG thing in data.

Overview

Job Description

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Director of Product Optimization to join our consumer flash company. This role focuses on driving cost optimization in our products and supporting the right NAND Nodal usage and planning within our consumer product portfolio. The successful candidate will employ a design-to-value (DtV) approach to achieve these goals, ensuring optimal cost structures and effective resource planning.

Cost Optimization

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and manage the overall cost optimization efforts for consumer flash products.
• Develop and implement strategies to reduce costs across the product portfolio.
• Collaborate with product management, engineering, commodity management, and finance teams to achieve cost targets.
• Establish and oversee cost management programs, ensuring their effective and efficient execution.
• Monitor program performance and drive continuous improvements.
  
  

NAND Nodal Usage And Planning

• Support the integration and planning of NAND Nodal transitions to optimize performance and cost.
• Work closely with the memory planning and category product teams to incorporate optimized NAND nodes into product designs.
• Analyze and understand the impact of NAND memory node transitions on cost and performance.
  
  

Design To Value (DtV)

• Provide strategic guidance and direction for DtV efforts, ensuring the delivery of DtV targets across business units.
• Establish roadmaps and assume accountability for DtV targets and timelines.
• Communicate DtV priorities, processes, and progress across the cross functional teams.
• Build relationships with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure a holistic and sustainable approach to DtV.
• Drive value-cost tradeoffs by engaging the steering committee on recommendations and supporting fact-based decisions.
  
  

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

• Proven experience in cost program management or finance, preferably in the consumer electronics industry.
• Strong understanding of bill of materials (BOM) and cost accounting models.
• Excellent cross-functional collaboration skills and the ability to lead and influence teams.
• Knowledge of NAND memory node transitions and their impact on cost and performance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a detail-oriented mindset.
• Ability to set up and manage cost teardown and competitive analysis programs.
• Exceptional communication skills, capable of presenting cost-related data and insights clearly.
• Experience in driving significant cost optimization initiatives with a measurable impact.
  
  

Competencies

• Impact-focused business leader with credibility across multiple functions.
• Strong influencing skills to create cross-functional alignment and drive value-cost tradeoff decisions.
• Independent thinker with the ability to develop and voice a personal point of view.
  
  

This role is critical in ensuring our profit margins are optimized, competitive pricing is maintained, and our consumer flash products are strategically positioned in the market. If you are a strategic leader with a passion for cost optimization and innovative planning, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

Additional Information

Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person’s gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, protected medical and family care leave, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We also prohibit harassment of any individual on any of the characteristics listed above. Our non-discrimination policy applies to all aspects of employment. We comply with the laws and regulations set forth in the Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law poster.

Western Digital thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.

Western Digital is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at jobs.accommodations@wdc.com to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.