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Senior Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Applied Optoelectronics Inc

Huntsville, AL

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JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
APICS (Association for Operations Management), Analysis Skills, Benchmarking, Bid Analysis, Business Skills, Candidate Sourcing, Capital Equipment Purchasing, Capital Expenditure (CAPEX), Category Development, Category Management, Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Competitive Analysis/Strategy, Contingency Plans, Contract Law, Contract Management, Contract Negotiation, Cost Control, Cost Modeling, Cross-Functional, Finance, Financial Modeling, Hardware Components, IP (Internet Protocol), Industry/Trade Analysis, Leadership, Maintain Compliance, Mandarin Chinese Language, Manufacturing, Market Tracking, Negotiation Skills, Optical Transceivers, Performance Metrics, Problem Solving Skills, Process Improvement, Procurement Strategy, Product Support, Product/Service Launch, Purchasing/Procurement, Regulations, Regulatory Requirements, Request for Proposals (RFP), Risk Management, Semiconductors, Sourcing Strategy, Strategic Planning, Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), Supply Chain Management, Sustainability, Tax Regulations, Telecommunications Equipment, Telecommunications Industry, Total Cost of Ownership, Trend Analysis, Vendor/Supplier Evaluation, Vendor/Supplier Planning, Vendor/Supplier Quality Management, Vendor/Supplier Relations, Vendor/Supplier Selection, Willing to Travel
LOCATION
Huntsville, AL
POSTED
30+ days ago

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

  • Cost-Saving and Negotiation • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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 Qualifications

  • Mandarin Chinese speaking
  • Experience in optical, semiconductor, or telecom hardware industries
  • Knowledge of international trade, tariffs, and contract law fundamentals
  • APICS / CPSM / CIPS or similar certification
  • Masters or advanced degree
  • Ability to travel up to 60% of the time and be flexible for extended or short-notice travel

Location

This position will be on-site based in Sugar Land, Texas.

About the Company

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Applied Optoelectronics Inc