Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing for optical, semiconductor, telecom, and related components. Develop category strategies, run RFQs/RFPs, select suppliers, negotiate contracts, improve total cost of ownership, manage supplier performance, mitigate supply risks, and ensure quality, compliance, and continuity. Partner with engineering, finance, operations, quality, and program teams on sourcing, make-versus-buy, NPI, and ramp decisions. Monitor markets, tariffs, geopolitical risks, and supplier health while delivering executive reporting and cost savings.
Summary
We are seeking a results-driven Senior Strategic Sourcing Specialist to lead end-to-end sourcing initiatives across critical categories including optical transceivers, wafers, telecom hardware, and related components.
This role is responsible for developing sourcing strategies, managing supplier relationships, leading commercial negotiations, and driving total cost of ownership (TCO) improvements while ensuring supply continuity, quality, and compliance. The ideal candidate combines strong analytical capability, commercial judgment, and stakeholder leadership, with deep understanding of global supply markets, contract structures, and cost drivers.
Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Category Management
- Develop and execute category strategies aligned with business objectives and technology roadmaps
- Lead end-to-end Source-to-Contract (S2C) process, including RFQ/RFP execution, bid analysis, and supplier selection
- Demonstrated experience sourcing across one or more key spend categories, including direct materials, CAPEX capital equipment, indirect procurement, and/or facilities/infrastructure projects; hands-on category ownership is required.
- Conduct should-cost modeling, benchmarking, and TCO analysis to identify savings opportunities
- Identify and mitigate supply risks through dual-sourcing and supply diversification strategies
- Monitor market dynamics, cost drivers, and capacity trends to inform sourcing decisions
- Assess supply impacts from geopolitical, macroeconomic, or operational disruptions
- Maintain sourcing data, dashboards, and reporting for leadership visibility
Commercial & Contract Management
- Lead complex price and contract negotiations with suppliers
- Review and negotiate Terms & Conditions (T&Cs), including liability, IP, warranty, and service levels
- Ensure contracts align with regulatory, tax, and tariff considerations
- Drive contract lifecycle management and compliance monitoring
- Support escalation management, including RMA and commercial disputes
Supplier Relationship & Performance Management
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers and executive counterparts
- Establish and track supplier KPIs (cost, quality, delivery, technology, sustainability)
- Conduct quarterly and annual business reviews (QBRs/ABRs)
- Drive supplier performance improvement and continuous cost reduction initiatives
- Ensure suppliers meet technical, quality, ESG, and regulatory requirements
- Manage supplier onboarding, NDA compliance, and documentation
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Partner with engineering, SC operations, PM, finance, quality teams
- Lead stakeholder alignment on sourcing decisions and trade-offs
- Provide data-driven recommendations to support make-vs-buy and design decisions
- Support new product introduction (NPI) sourcing and ramp planning
Market Intelligence & Risk Management
- Track industry trends, capacity outlooks, and supplier financial health
- Monitor tariffs, trade regulations, and geopolitical risks impacting supply
- Develop contingency plans and risk mitigation strategies
- Provide regular market intelligence updates to leadership
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Procurement, Engineering, Business or a related field
- 5+ years of working experience of strategic sourcing or procurement experience in high-tech or manufacturing
- Proven track record of delivering cost savings and negotiating complex agreements
- Strong analytical, financial modeling, and negotiation skills
- Experience with global suppliers and cross-functional collaboration
- Strategic thinking and commercial acumen
- Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) mindset
- Negotiation and influencing skills
- Risk management and decision making under uncertainty
- Executive communication and stakeholder management
- Data-driven problem solving
Preferred
- Mandarin Chinese speaking is preferred.
- Experience in optical, semiconductor, or telecom hardware industries
- Knowledge of international trade, tariffs, and contract law fundamentals
- APICS / CPSM / CIPS or similar certification
- Master's or advanced degree
- Be able to travel up to 60% of the time and will need to be flexible for extended or short-notice travel.
Location
This position will be on-site based in Sugar Land, Texas.
Why AOI?
In addition to a competitive salary, AOI offers
- Flexible and competitive health (medical, dental, vision) plans offer employees the right options to meet individual and family needs
- Employer matching on 401(k) deferrals
- Generous PTO policy, with unused PTO payout at the end of the year
- Relocation package available within the US
- Immigration sponsorships (Must be currently authorized to work in the US)
We do not accept unsolicited proposals from third-party recruiters or agencies. Contacting hiring managers directly may result in disqualification of submissions.
Similar Jobs
Manufacturing
Lead procurement for turnarounds and capital projects at petrochemical manufacturing sites. Develop sourcing and category strategies, manage supplier negotiations and agreements, analyze supplier risk and performance, and ensure schedule compliance for services, materials, and specialty equipment. Partner with manufacturing, engineering, and capital project stakeholders; address commercial issues; coach sourcing personnel; and maintain procurement data using ERP and source-to-contract systems.
Top Skills:
AribaCoupaGepExcelMicrosoft Office SuiteMicrosoft OutlookOracle ErpPower BISap S/4Hana
Hardware • Semiconductor • Industrial • Manufacturing
Executes global strategic sourcing and commodity initiatives across suppliers and regions. Leads sourcing events, negotiations, PPV and VAVE programs, cost analysis, supplier performance improvement, risk mitigation, and supply continuity actions. Develops business cases, savings models, dashboards, and executive recommendations while coordinating engineering, operations, finance, quality, and materials stakeholders. Manages multiple sourcing projects and supplier escalations, with travel up to 20%.
Top Skills:
Data Visualization ToolsE-Sourcing ToolsErp/Mrp SystemsJdeExcelMicrosoft PowerpointOraclePower BISAPSpend Analytics ToolsSQL
Artificial Intelligence • Fintech • Insurance • Marketing Tech • Software • Analytics
Handle inbound calls and warm leads, consult customers on insurance needs, recommend appropriate Property and Casualty coverages, and convert prospects into policyholders. The role includes paid training and licensing support, remote work, commission opportunities, and a schedule covering four weekdays and one weekend day. Candidates need sales or service experience, strong communication and persuasion skills, PC proficiency, and the ability to obtain a Property and Casualty license.
Top Skills:
PcWired High-Speed Internet
What you need to know about the Austin Tech Scene
Austin has a diverse and thriving tech ecosystem thanks to home-grown companies like Dell and major campuses for IBM, AMD and Apple. The state’s flagship university, the University of Texas at Austin, is known for its engineering school, and the city is known for its annual South by Southwest tech and media conference. Austin’s tech scene spans many verticals, but it’s particularly known for hardware, including semiconductors, as well as AI, biotechnology and cloud computing. And its food and music scene, low taxes and favorable climate has made the city a destination for tech workers from across the country.
Key Facts About Austin Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 180,500; 13.7% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Dell, IBM, AMD, Apple, Alphabet
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, hardware, cloud computing, software, healthtech
- Funding Landscape: $4.5 billion in VC funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Live Oak Ventures, Austin Ventures, Hinge Capital, Gigafund, KdT Ventures, Next Coast Ventures, Silverton Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: University of Texas, Southwestern University, Texas State University, Center for Complex Quantum Systems, Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, Texas Advanced Computing Center
