Purchasing Planner

Purchasing PlannerWe are seeking a Purchasing Planner. In this role, you will be responsible for looking at market outlooks and determine when and what to buy when contracting with vendors, ordering supplies, or making a big investment in a product, technology, etc. You will also be responsible for developing and implementing short- and long-term strategies to purchase commodities.Job DutiesSourcing suppliers and maintaining long-lasting relationships with them as well as existing suppliersLead negotiations on pricing, order quantities, and delivery timelines to optimize value.Working with legal counsel to ensure that all contracts relating to product procurement contain all details of the negotiation.Assessing quotes and compiling a detailed assessment of cost breakdowns.Generating quote comparisons and contributing to internal supplier selection based on the quotes.Manage the end-to-end purchase requisition-to-order process, including price negotiations and documentation.Serve as the primary liaison for vendors, tracking order status, resolving delivery discrepancies, and managing returns (RMA).Coordinate cross-functionally with warehouse operations to ensure procurement plans support current and projected demand requirementsAnalyze spending patterns to recommend and implement cost-saving opportunitiesDrive process enhancements through data-driven analysis and best practice implementationPerform other duties as assigned.QualificationsRequired: Bachelor's degree preferably in Supply Chain or business-relatedNice-to-have: Master's degree preferably in Supply Chain or business-related1-3 years of working experience as a BuyerProficiency in SAP, Excel, PowerPoint, and OutlookThorough understanding of end-to-end Procurement lifecycle managementDemonstrated success in achieving year-over-year cost savings through vendor negotiationsSound time-management and organizational skillsTeam player in multi-culture environmentFlexibility/AdaptabilityBilingual in Mandarin Chinese is strongly preferredNot required but will be a plus: Six Sigma/Lean Sigma, Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)LocationThis position will be on-site based in Sugar Land, Texas.Why AOI?In addition to competitive salary, AOI offersFlexible and competitive health (medical, dental, vision) plans offer the employee with the right options to meet individual and family needsEmployer matching on 401(k) deferralsGenerous PTO policy, with unused PTO payout at end of the yearRelocation package available within US