Purchasing Planner

Summary We 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 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.. 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 requirements Analyze spending patterns to recommend and implement cost-saving opportunitiesDrive 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 multi-culture environment Flexibility/Adaptability Bilingual in Mandarin Chinese is strongly preferred Not required but will be a plus Six Sigma/Lean Sigma, 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 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