KEN J BRADLEY
Author, Thinker, Practitioner
About Ken
Engineer. Executive, Entrepreneur. Author.
I've spent my career at the intersection of technology, supply chains, and leadership - helping organizations make better decisions in complex, uncertain, and constantly changing environments.
The future belongs to organizations that learn faster, decide smarter, and adapt continuously.
A Recognized Professional
Ken J. Bradley is an engineer, entrepreneur, procurement leader, and author whose career has spanned semiconductor technology, product development, advanced manufacturing, technology transfer, global negotiations, and supply chain strategy.
From Engineering to Executive Leadership
Throughout his career, Ken has seen firsthand how decisions made early in product development can have profound consequences later in the product lifecycle. He witnessed how engineering and procurement teams often operated independently—and how failing to consider supply availability, cost, risk, and negotiating leverage early enough could create significant downstream challenges.
Those experiences became the foundation for his writing: practical, experience-driven guidance designed to help leaders make better decisions across engineering, procurement, and the enterprise.
Ken served as Chief Procurement Officer of Nortel Networks from 1996 to 2002, following a long career with the company in engineering, negotiation, technology, and executive leadership roles. He later served as CEO of Coresim Inc., an electronic design analysis company.
Building and Scaling Technology Businesses
In 2005, Ken founded Lytica, an electronics supply chain intelligence company that uses data and analytics to help manufacturers improve sourcing, pricing, risk management, and decision-making.
Today, he serves as Lytica’s Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer.
Over the course of his career, Ken has also served on the boards of several private and public organizations, including Guangdong Nortel, SynQor Inc., Radisys, Powerwave, and the Lobe Research Institute of The Ottawa Hospital, and has advised companies in the technology and manufacturing sectors.
Recognition and Perspective
In 2024, Ken was named a Pros to Know recipient by Supply & Demand Chain Executive, recognizing his contributions to supply chain leadership and transformation. In 1990, Ken received Nortel’s General Manager of the Year Award.
His books draw on decades of experience at the intersection of technology, engineering, procurement, leadership, and organizational decision-making—turning lessons learned in complex global businesses into practical frameworks for leaders navigating an increasingly intelligent and interconnected world.
Ken is a graduate of Algonquin College in Electronics Technology and is a former member of Professional Engineers Ontario. He lives in Ottawa with his wife and dog.
Learn more about Ken’s work at Lytica →
A Career in Technology, Leadership & Innovation
My career has taken me across the globe and across industries, from engineering to executive leadership and entrepreneurship.
2005 - Present
Founder & Chief Strategy Officer
1998 - Present
Various Organizations
Boards, Advisory Roles & Strategic Consulting
2003 - 2005
CEO
1996 - 2002
Chief Procurement Officer
1994 - 1996
Senior Managing Director, Guangdong Nortel, PRC
1992 - 1993
Vice President, China Joint Ventures, PRC
1988 - 1992
Vice President & General Manager, Nortel Semiconductor, Ottawa, Canada
1985 - 1988
Vice President & General Manager, Nortel Semiconductor, San Diego, USA
1983 - 1985
Director of Operations, Nortel Semiconductor Group, Ottawa, Canada
1980 - 1982
Director of Technology, BNR Semiconductor Group, Ottawa, Canada
Pre-1980
Various Organizations
Technical & Engineering Roles
Founded Lytica and helped grow the company from an idea into an established organization of more than 50 employees. Through this experience, gained firsthand insight into the procurement challenges faced by companies and the opportunities to use data and analytics to improve sourcing and decision-making.
Served on the boards of several private and public organizations, including SynQor Inc., Radisys, Powerwave, and the Lobe Research Institute of The Ottawa Hospital. Also provided strategic consulting to Lattice Power and SunSun Lighting. Currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Lytica Inc.
Served as CEO of an electronic design company focused on reducing product design and manufacturing costs through the integration of multiple integrated circuit components into more efficient solutions.
Served as Nortel’s Chief Procurement Officer for direct and indirect materials during a period of extraordinary growth for the company. Oversaw more than $18 billion in material spending, with responsibility for procurement across Bell-Northern Research and Nortel Networks. Also contributed to the integration of Bay Networks following its acquisition by Nortel.
Led negotiations to establish a digital switching joint venture in China and became its first CEO, taking the organization from startup through to full production.
Led the development and implementation of a strategy to transfer very-large-scale integrated circuit (VLSI) capabilities into China. Directed negotiations for the creation of a wafer foundry in Shanghai in partnership with Philips Semiconductors and Chinese entities, as well as the establishment of the fabless semiconductor company Shanghai Nortel Semiconductor. Completed the negotiations for Guangdong Nortel Digital Switching Joint Venture.
Led Nortel’s semiconductor R&D, prototyping, and manufacturing operations in Ottawa. The facility developed and produced integrated circuits using NMOS, CMOS, and BiCMOS technologies, as well as III-V lasers and surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices.
Led Nortel’s semiconductor manufacturing facility in San Diego, which produced integrated circuits using NMOS and CMOS technologies. Also led a major organizational development and culture transformation program.
Led semiconductor manufacturing operations in Canada, with responsibility for wafer fabrication, testing, and assembly.
Led the development of silicon wafer technologies, semiconductor assembly processes, and testing methods.
Held a variety of technical and engineering positions in semiconductor manufacturing with organizations including American Microsystems, Microsystems International Limited, and Nortel.
GLOBAL EXPERIENCE
Decades of leadership actions in technology, supply chains, and global markets.
PRACTICAL INSIGHTS
Real-world lessons and proven frameworks for better decisions.
ADAPTIVE THINKING
Helping organizations prepare for change and perform with confidence.
STRONGER OUTCOMES
Smarter strategies. Stronger supply chains. Better results.