Senior Strategic Sourcing Specialist

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
• 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
• Avoid supply impacts from geopolitical, macroeconomic, or operational disruptions
• Maintain sourcing data, dashboards, and reporting for leadership visibility
• 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
• Support escalation management, including RMA and commercial disputes
• 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
• Manage supplier onboarding, NDA compliance, and documentation
• 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
• 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

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

Location

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