Purchasing Planner

We are seeking a Purchasing Planner. In this role, you will be responsible for looking at market outlooks and determining 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 Duties Sourcing suppliers and maintaining long‑lasting relationships with them as well as existing suppliers. Lead negotiations on pricing, order quantities, and delivery timelines to optimize value. Work with legal counsel to ensure that all contracts relating to product procurement contain all details of the negotiation. Assess quotes and compile a detailed assessment of cost breakdowns. Generate quote comparisons and contribute 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, track order status, resolve delivery discrepancies, and manage returns (RMA). Coordinate cross‑functionally with warehouse operations to ensure procurement plans support current and projected demand requirements. Analyze spending patterns to recommend and implement cost‑saving opportunities. Drive process enhancements through data‑driven analysis and best practice implementation. Perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications Required: Bachelor’s degree preferably in Supply Chain or business‑related. Nice‑to‑have: Master’s degree preferably in Supply Chain or business‑related. 1–3 years of working experience as a Buyer. Proficiency in SAP, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Thorough understanding of end‑to‑end Procurement lifecycle management. Demonstrated success in achieving year‑over‑year cost savings through vendor negotiations. Sound time‑management and organizational skills. Team player in a multi‑culture environment. Bilingual in Mandarin Chinese is strongly preferred. Not required but will be a plus: Six Sigma/Lean Sigma certification, Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP). 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 that 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr Applied-Optoelectronics-Inc