Senior Strategic Sourcing Specialist

ao-inc; Sugar Land (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible health plans

Employer matching on 401(k)

Generous PTO policy

Relocation package

Immigration sponsorships

Job summary

ao-inc is seeking a results-driven Senior Strategic Sourcing Specialist to lead sourcing initiatives in Sugar Land, Texas. This role involves developing sourcing strategies, managing supplier relationships, and driving total cost of ownership improvements across critical categories.

The ideal candidate should possess strong analytical skills, experience in procurement, and the ability to negotiate complex agreements. A competitive salary, health plans, and a generous PTO policy are offered.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of strategic sourcing or procurement experience in high-tech or manufacturing.
• Experience with global suppliers and cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies.
• Lead price and contract negotiations.
• Build and maintain supplier relationships.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Engineering, Business

Job description

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.

Job Duties

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)