Supplier diversity program
Improving the customer experience with excellence and innovation
Ciena’s network of partners and suppliers is critical to our long-term success, especially when innovation and excellence are key to winning in a competitive market. Our customers expect world-class products and services—and we deliver.
Our initiatives allow Ciena to deliver an improved customer experience by providing equal access to a supplier base that reflects the diversity of where we live, work, and serve.
Our mission statement
To create value through:
Supplier guidance
Implementing guidance for our teams on providing opportunities to suppliers that meet our business needs and benefit the communities we serve
Diverse sourcing
Promoting the sourcing of goods and services from high-performing diverse suppliers
Outreach programs
Participating in outreach programs to increase collaboration with diverse suppliers
Our value statement
Ciena places high values on the strong relationships we have with our customers and the diverse communities that we serve. We encourage the development of businesses across the supply chains we use and the communities we serve. Our commitment reinforces our corporate values while demonstrating our support for equitable business opportunity.
Our vision statement
To integrate supplier diversity in the Ciena procurement process and establish and maintain excellent relationships with diverse suppliers in the communities we serve.
Our supplier selection process and objectives
Ciena aims to create business relationships with suppliers that strengthen the communities in which we serve. We are committed to developing mutually beneficial relationships with businesses. A core goal is to provide opportunities to diverse suppliers that can meet our business needs and demonstrate appropriate standards of excellence.
Ciena’s procurement team is encouraged to source and include diverse suppliers from the communities we serve that add value, provide competitively priced quality goods and services, and align with our strategic business goals. This guidance reflects Ciena’s ambition to create equitable opportunities for suppliers by promoting their goods and services.
The global procurement teams will identify and encourage business functions to seek opportunities to include diverse suppliers in mutually beneficial business opportunities.
The global procurement teams will participate in initiatives to maintain awareness and will encourage diverse suppliers to meet with Ciena associates to review goods and services’ specifications and supplier credentials as appropriate.
- Communicate to Ciena stakeholders, both internally and externally, the value of supplier relationships
- Actively seek out suitable suppliers whose business models align with Ciena’s values to provide quality goods and services at competitive prices
- Facilitate the inclusion of diverse suppliers, where feasible, as part of our procurement process(es)
This guidance highlights Ciena’s intent to increase opportunities in our supply chain and enable the growth of businesses in our communities. Ciena will strive to include diverse suppliers and foster relationships that allow organizations to continue to grow while offering quality goods and services at competitive prices in a fair and transparent environment.
For more information, please email the global indirect procurement team at diversityprogram@ciena.com.
Who qualifies?
A small disadvantaged business is (a) at least 51 percent owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, or in the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of that business’ stock is owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals; and (b) whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of the socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who own it.
A woman-owned small business is (a) at least 51 percent owned by one or more women, or in the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of that business’ stock is owned by one or more women; and (b) whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women.
A Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) is (a) not less than 51 percent owned by one or more veterans, or in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more veterans; and (b) the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more veterans. The term "veteran" has the meaning defined in 38 U.S.C. 101.
A Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (DVOSB) is (a) not less than 51 percent owned by one or more disabled veterans, or in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more disabled veterans; and (b) the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more disabled veterans. The term "veteran" has the meaning defined in 38 U.S.C. 101.
This program is based on the geographical area where your business is located and where 35 percent of your employees reside. The company must be small, located in a Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone), owned and controlled by one or more U.S. citizen(s) and at least 35 percent of its employees must reside in a HUBZone.
A Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) is a U.S.-based business concern (a) which is at least 51 percent owned by minorities, or in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of that business’ stock is owned by one or more minorities; and (b) whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of the minority individuals who own it.