Qualcomm’s New Leadership and the Shifting Sands of Chip Manufacturing
The semiconductor industry witnessed a significant shakeup this week with the departure of Kevin O’Buckley from Intel Foundry to Qualcomm. O’Buckley, formerly Senior Vice President and General Manager of Intel Foundry Services, will now serve as Executive Vice President of Global Operations and Supply Chain at Qualcomm, beginning March 2nd, 2026. This move signals a strategic realignment within both companies and highlights the intensifying competition in the global chip landscape.
Intel Foundry’s Restructuring and Chandrasekaran’s Expanded Role
O’Buckley’s exit comes after less than two years at Intel Foundry, a period marked by challenges in attracting major customers. Intel has responded by consolidating leadership under Naga Chandrasekaran, who now oversees both technology development and manufacturing operations. This expanded role aims to streamline decision-making and accelerate the execution of Intel’s foundry strategy. Chandrasekaran previously led front-end process technology development and manufacturing, and has overseen both the Technology Development (TD) organization and the Foundry Manufacturing and Supply Chain (FMSC) group since mid-2024.
This restructuring suggests Intel is prioritizing a unified approach to its foundry business, combining innovation with efficient manufacturing. Navid Shahriari will continue to manage packaging development and operations within Intel Foundry, maintaining continuity in that critical area.
Qualcomm Strengthens Supply Chain Expertise
Qualcomm’s acquisition of O’Buckley is a clear indication of the company’s commitment to bolstering its global operations and supply chain capabilities. O’Buckley will be responsible for overseeing manufacturing engineering, foundry and supplier partnerships, supply chain, and procurement. His experience at Intel Foundry, IBM, GlobalFoundries, and Marvell positions him well to scale manufacturing partnerships and manage the transition of chip designs into volume production.
This move is particularly relevant given the increasing complexity of semiconductor manufacturing and the demand for robust supply chain resilience. Qualcomm, like other major chip designers, relies heavily on external foundries like TSMC and Samsung for fabrication. Strengthening its internal supply chain expertise will allow Qualcomm to better navigate potential disruptions and ensure a consistent supply of chips.
The Broader Implications for the Semiconductor Industry
O’Buckley’s move reflects a broader trend of talent shifting within the semiconductor industry. The demand for experienced leaders with expertise in advanced manufacturing and supply chain management is exceptionally high. This competition for talent underscores the strategic importance of these capabilities in the current geopolitical climate.
Intel’s Foundry Services has faced financial headwinds, reporting significant operating losses in recent years. While the company remains committed to the foundry business, the leadership changes suggest a recalibration of strategy and a renewed focus on execution. Whether Qualcomm will leverage Intel Foundry for any of its future chip production remains an open question.
FAQ
What is Intel Foundry Services? Intel Foundry Services is Intel’s contract chip manufacturing business, offering fabrication services to other companies.
Who is Naga Chandrasekaran? Naga Chandrasekaran is the Chief Technology and Operations Officer and head of Intel Foundry, now responsible for both technology development and manufacturing.
What will Kevin O’Buckley do at Qualcomm? Kevin O’Buckley will be Executive Vice President of Global Operations and Supply Chain at Qualcomm, overseeing manufacturing and supply chain activities.
When does O’Buckley start at Qualcomm? Kevin O’Buckley will start his new role at Qualcomm on March 2, 2026.
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