Summary
The Strategic Sourcing Specialist (entry level role) supports sourcing activities, supplier management, and cost optimization initiatives across assigned procurement categories. The role works closely with internal stakeholders and suppliers to support business operations, supplier performance, and sourcing projects. Candidates may come from sourcing, procurement, supply chain operations, manufacturing, logistics, or planning backgrounds.
Job Duties
• Support sourcing projects, supplier selection, and RFQ activities
• Assist with supplier relationship management and performance tracking
• Analyze pricing, spend, and supplier data to identify improvement opportunities
• Support supplier onboarding and qualification processes
• Coordinate with Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams on sourcing requirements
• Support NPI programs and supplier readiness activities
• Assist with cost reduction, second-source development, and supply continuity initiatives
• Maintain sourcing records, contracts, and reporting tools
• Monitor supplier delivery, quality, and service performance
Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Operations, or related field
• 2-5 years of experience in sourcing, procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, logistics, planning, or related functions
• Experience in at least one of the following categories:
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Direct materials/raw materials
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CAPEX equipment
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Indirect procurement
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Construction/facilities sourcing
OR
• Experience in supply chain operations such as:
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Material management (supply management, buyer, etc.)
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Demand or S&OP planning
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Supply planning
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Contract manufacturing or ODM management Ops
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Logistics and customs operations
• Strong analytical and communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ERP systems
Preferred
• Experience in manufacturing, electronics, optical networking, semiconductor, or telecommunications industries
• SAP and/or Ariba experience
• Mandarin Chinese language skills required
Additional Requirements
• Ability to travel as needed (up to 10-30%)
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)
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Operations, or a related field
- 2-5 years of experience in sourcing, procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, logistics, planning, or related functions
- Experience in direct materials or raw materials, CAPEX equipment, indirect procurement, or construction/facilities sourcing
- Alternatively, experience in material management, demand or S&OP planning, supply planning, contract manufacturing or ODM management operations, or logistics and customs operations
- Strong analytical and communication skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ERP systems
- Experience in manufacturing, electronics, optical networking, semiconductor, or telecommunications industries
- SAP and/or Ariba experience
- Mandarin Chinese language skills
- Ability to travel as needed, up to 10-30%
- Currently authorized to work in the United States
What We Do
Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. | NASDAQ: AAOI AOI is a leading designer and manufacturer of fiber optic networking products. We primarily serve three growing end-markets: cable television broadband, fiber-to-the-home, and internet data centers. We are vertically integrated with a product portfolio from laser chips, components, sub-assemblies and modules, to complete turn-key equipment. All three of our end-markets are driven by bandwidth demand fueled by the growth of network connected devices, such as video traffic, cloud computing and online social networking. To address this increased demand, CATV and telecommunications service providers are investing to improve their networks in competition to deliver voice, video, and data services to their subscribers. Rising bandwidth consumption is also driving demand for higher speed server connections in the internet data center market. As a result of these trends, fiber optic networking technology has become fundamental in all three of our target markets to meet these needs. Our vertical integration, broad product lines, and in-house design capability uniquely position AOI to serve these markets and offer us the flexibility to address tomorrow's fiber optic applications. To learn more about our company and products, we invite you to visit our website. Website www.ao-inc.com Facebook tinyurl.com/ycxcsbwx Instagram tinyurl.com/rqsbpk5 Twitter tinyurl.com/rd6dtvn
