Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Strategic Sourcing Specialist to join our sourcing team. In this role, you will be responsible for identifying, evaluating, and managing vendors/suppliers to optimize cost, quality, and delivery. You will lead strategic sourcing initiatives, negotiate vendor contracts, and drive supplier performance across key categories. The ideal candidate has strong analytical skills, excellent negotiation abilities, a solid understanding of sourcing best practices, and an outgoing personality.

Job Duties

Sourcing

• Execute standardized sourcing processes and strategies for assigned categories/subcategories.

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives for key materials and components used in optical transceivers, wafers, and telecom hardware.

• Execute RFQs/RFPs, analyze bid responses, and recommend sourcing strategies to meet technical and business requirements.

• Conduct cost analyses, benchmarking, and market intelligence to identify cost-saving opportunities and mitigate supply risks.

• Research, keep up-to-date on industry standards, trends, including crucial cost drivers affecting contract pricing.

• Provide data-driven analysis and sourcing recommendations

• Ensure compliance with internal procurement policies and relevant industry regulations.

• Oversee contract compliance and vendor performance for contract award

• Assess and report supply impact due to any unforeseen events

• Analyze risk assessments on current and/or potential contracts and agreements

• Drive continuous improvements in sourcing strategies and compliance

• Maintain sourcing database(s) to ensure reporting is accurate

• Coordinate RMA escalations and work with the supplier for dispositions

• Drive supply diversification

Supplier Management

• Develop and maintain supplier relationships with a focus on quality, cost, reliability, and long-term value.

• Support contract negotiations, terms & conditions review, and pricing agreements with vendors.

• Monitor supplier performance through KPIs and drive continuous improvement initiatives quarterly and yearly.

• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and operations teams to ensure suppliers meet technical and regulatory standards.

• Track and maintain valid NDA

• Responsible for informing and collecting company compliance requirements from suppliers

Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Engineering,or a related field; Masters or CPSM is a plus

• 3–5 years of working experience in strategic sourcing or procurement experience in a manufacturing or tech sector is a plus.

• Proficiency in sourcing tools, ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle).

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and advanced MS Excel (Pivot tables, VLOOKUP, Sorting, adding filters, etc.) is required.

• Good understanding of sourcing process management

• Familiarity with electronic components, semiconductors, or telecom hardware strongly preferred.

• Strong negotiation, analytical, and vendor management skills.

• Demonstrates strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication (written and oral) skills with the ability to effectively work in a team environment with all levels within the company and on an individual basis.

• Highly organized and detail-oriented.

• Ability to prioritize work and meet tight deadlines in a fast pace environment.

• Self-motivated, takes initiative and is proactive in their approach to complete multiple projects

• Adaptable to changes.

• Be able to travel up to 60% of the time and will need to be flexible for extended or short-notice travel.

• Chinese speaking is a plus.

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)

#HP!