Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.

Lead purchasing team to implement procurement strategies ensuring cost-effective, timely procurement and supplier performance management. | Bachelor's degree with 3-5 years procurement management experience, proficiency in SAP and data analysis, strong communication and organizational skills. | Summary We are looking for a highly motivated Purchasing Manager to join our team. This role is responsible for establishing and implementing purchasing strategies aligned with company goals while supporting multiple manufacturing plants. In this role, you will lead a purchasing team to ensure timely, high-quality, and cost-effective procurement. In addition, you will work cross-functionally with internal teams and external vendors and will be expected to challenge inefficiencies and think strategically to drive a tangible impact across the organization. Job Responsibilities • Develop, implement and maintain a comprehensive procurement strategy, policies, and procedures that aligned with organizational objectives to ensure efficiency, consistency, and compliance. • Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing purchasing team, fostering a collaborative, results-driven, and service-oriented culture. • Oversee the daily transactional workflow to ensure timely purchasing execution (Purchase to Pay), including processing purchase requests and purchase orders through systems, confirming shipping dates and arranging shipments, ensuring invoice three-way matching, and resolving invoice discrepancies. • Monitor and improve freight cost, container utilization, and demurrage rates. • Facilitate clear communication between Purchasing department and all operational teams to streamline workflows. • Build and manage supplier relationships and performance, including on-time delivery, quality, responsiveness, and cost, using data-driven insights to guide decision-making and continuous improvement. • Implement, maintain and improve purchasing systems and procedures to streamline requisition-to-pay cycles and enhance efficiency and transparency. • Monitor and report on purchasing budgets and variances, identifying cost-saving opportunities and operational improvements. Qualifications • Required: Bachelor’s degree or above preferably in Supply Chain, business administration or related field • At least 3-5 years of working experience as a manager role in procurement or related field • Proficiency in advanced SAP, data analysis and reporting tools • In-depth knowledge of end-to-end procurement lifecycle management, supplier management, and cost negotiation • Proven ability to manage high-volume, diverse categories of spend without direct supervision • Strong interpersonal and communication skills and focus on process efficiency and internal customer service • Highly organized, analytical, and proactive, and have strong sense of urgency, flexibility and adaptability Location This position will be on-site based in Sugar Land, Texas. WHY AOI? In addition to competitive salary, AOI offers: • Flexible and competitive health (medical, dental, vision) plans offer the employee with the right options to meet individual and family needs • Employer matching on 401(k) deferrals • Generous PTO policy, with unused PTO payout at end of the year • Relocation package available within US • Immigration sponsorships (Must be currently authorized to work in the US)