Purchasing Analyst

About AOI
Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (AOI) is a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced optical and HFC networking products - the building blocks that power AI datacenters, CATV broadband, telecom, and fiber access networks around the world. Headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, AOI is a vertically integrated company that designs and manufactures everything from semiconductor laser chips to finished optical transceivers, serving tier-one customers across cloud computing, broadband, and telecom. With R&D operations in Atlanta, GA and global manufacturing presence in Taiwan and China, AOI is publicly traded on the Nasdaq (AAOI) and is actively expanding its U.S.-based manufacturing operations in Sugar Land to meet accelerating demand in the AI datacenter market.

Summary

We are seeking a Purchasing Analyst to support vendor sourcing, procurement analysis, cost-saving initiatives, and commodity purchasing strategy. In this role, you will analyze market outlooks, supplier quotes, and spending patterns to help determine what to buy, when to buy, and how to secure the best value for AOI when contracting with vendors, ordering supplies, or making larger investments in products, technology, or materials. You will also help develop and implement short- and long-term strategies for purchasing commodities.

Job Responsibilities

• Source suppliers and maintain long-lasting relationships with both new and existing suppliers.
• Lead negotiations on pricing, order quantities, and delivery timelines to optimize value.
• Work with legal counsel to ensure that contracts related to product procurement accurately reflect all negotiated terms.
• Assess quotes and compile detailed cost breakdowns.
• Generate quote comparisons and contribute to internal supplier selection based on pricing, terms, and overall value.
• 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 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

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Finance, or a similar business-related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience as a Purchasing Analyst or in a similar role.
• Proficiency in Excel, including PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and Power Query.
• Comprehensive understanding of end-to-end procurement lifecycle management.
• Demonstrated success achieving year-over-year cost savings through vendor negotiations.
• Sound time-management and organizational skills.
• Team player in a global and diverse work environment.
• Ability to proactively anticipate disruptions or challenges and adapt to situations as needed.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in Supply Chain or a similar field.
• Proficiency with SAP and SAP S/4HANA.
• Fluency in Mandarin, Spanish, or Vietnamese is a plus.
• Six Sigma/Lean Sigma, Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), or similar supply chain certification.

Location & Work Environment

This position is full-time onsite and based in Sugar Land, Texas. This location has a combination of office, warehouse, and cleanroom manufacturing work environments.

• Business Hours for this position are 9am to 6pm CT, Monday through Friday.

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 packages available within the United States.

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc (AOI) is committed to providing equal opportunity in all of our employment practices, including hiring, placement, promotion, training, transfer and compensation, to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, sex, veteran status, age, disability, marital status, or any other category protected by State or U.S. Federal law. Moreover, we endeavor to treat our employees fairly.

We do not accept unsolicited proposals from third-party recruiters or agencies. Contacting hiring managers directly may result in disqualification of submissions.

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