Purchasing Specialist

About YST

YST Semiconductor Technology Corporation develops advanced optical semiconductor technologies for AI, data centers, and next-generation networks. As our facility and team grow, we are seeking a Purchasing Specialist to provide reliable purchasing execution, supplier coordination, and cost-conscious support for our expanding semiconductor manufacturing operations.

Position summary

The Purchasing Specialist independently manages the purchasing process, from

sourcing and supplier evaluation through negotiation, purchase commitments, and delivery confirmation. Working within delegated authority, this role makes commercial purchasing decisions that support cost efficiency, timely delivery, supplier performance, and operational continuity.

Partnering with internal teams to understand technical requirements, the Purchasing Specialist evaluates sourcing options, selects or recommends suppliers based on total cost and business risk, and negotiates pricing and terms. The role also manages supplier performance, identifies cost-saving opportunities, maintains purchasing controls and documentation, and advises Operations leadership on procurement risks and opportunities. Additional responsibilities include coordinating approved vendor travel and lodging expenses tied to purchase orders with Office Administration and Accounts Payable.

Essential responsibilities

Purchasing strategy and decision authority

• Independently manage purchasing from approved requisition through supplier selection, purchase commitment, delivery, and closeout within company policies and delegated authority.
• Review requests for business need, budget, approvals, and supplier risk; determine when additional quotes, alternative sourcing, or escalation are needed.
• Evaluate suppliers based on total cost, quality, lead time, capacity, service, terms, and delivery risk.
• Select suppliers, approve or issue purchase orders, and commit company funds within assigned limits; escalate purchases exceeding authority or presenting unusual risk.
• Negotiate pricing, payment and shipping terms, lead times, discounts, service expectations, and other commercial conditions.
• Adjust or expedite orders based on operational priorities, supplier constraints, cost, and delivery risk.
• Resolve supplier disputes and order, invoice, quality, credit, replacement, and return discrepancies; negotiate remedies within delegated authority.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records in QuickBooks Online (QBO) or other company systems.
• Improve purchasing procedures, documentation, approval controls, and supplier-management practices as YST grows.

Supplier performance, cost control, and contract support

• Own routine supplier performance monitoring, including quality, on-time delivery, responsiveness, lead-time performance, pricing, and overall vendor effectiveness.
• Conduct periodic supplier reviews, identify performance trends and business risks, initiate corrective follow-up, and recommend supplier status changes or alternative sources when warranted.
• Lead cost-saving initiatives through competitive quotations, price comparisons, alternative sourcing, volume purchasing opportunities, commercial negotiations, and total-cost analysis.
• Negotiate routine supplier agreements and commercial terms within delegated authority and coordinate appropriate management, Finance, or legal review for nonstandard or material contractual provisions.
• Evaluate recurring supplier, pricing, capacity, or delivery risks and advise Operations leadership on recommended actions, sourcing alternatives, and potential business impact.

Vendor travel expense oversight

• Oversee approved vendor-related travel and lodging expenses when costs are associated with a vendor purchase order, contract, or established spending limit.
• Validate expenses by vendor, purchase order, traveler, and approved limit; determine whether charges are consistent with applicable commercial terms and approve routine items for Accounts Payable processing within delegated authority.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies or potential overages with the responsible stakeholder and supplier; escalate exceptions that exceed approved limits or authority.
• Partner with Office Administration regarding hotel reservations and hospitality arrangements and with Accounting/AP regarding invoices, supporting documentation, reconciliation, and payment.

Cross-functional business partnership

• Serve as a primary commercial purchasing contact for Engineering, Facilities, Operations, Finance/Accounting, and other departments.
• Communicate purchasing status, supplier commitments, commercial risks, cost impacts, and recommended actions to stakeholders and leadership.
• Coordinate closely with technical personnel responsible for engineering specifications and communication with international production-equipment vendors while retaining responsibility for commercial purchasing decisions within assigned authority.
• Exercise independent judgment in balancing cost, quality, delivery, supplier risk, and operational requirements and make purchasing decisions without case-by-case direction when within established authority.
• Provide procurement analysis and recommendations to the Director of Operations and support short- and long-term purchasing objectives, supplier strategy, and process scalability.

Required qualifications

• 3\+ years of progressively responsible experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or a related field.
• Experience independently evaluating suppliers and quotes, negotiating terms, and making purchasing decisions within delegated authority.
• Ability to manage purchases from requisition through receipt and resolve commercial and invoice discrepancies.
• Sound business judgment in balancing cost, quality, lead time, supplier performance, and operational risk.
• Strong analytical, communication, and negotiation skills; ability to present recommendations and manage competing priorities with limited supervision.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel and Outlook, and ability to work in a fast-paced, growing manufacturing environment.

Preferred qualifications

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, operations, finance, or a related field.
• Experience in semiconductor, electronics, advanced technology, or other technically complex manufacturing.
• Experience with supplier performance, cost analysis, sourcing, supplier agreements, or contract administration.
• Familiarity with QuickBooks Online and ERP, MRP, purchasing, or inventory systems.
• Experience purchasing capital equipment, technical services, MRO supplies, or critical manufacturing materials.
• Mandarin Chinese skills beneficial, but not required.

Pay and benefits

This is a full-time, salaried exempt position, not eligible for overtime pay, based 100% onsite in Vancouver, Washington. The anticipated starting salary for this position is $90,000-$100,000 annually. The full base salary range for the position is $86,000-$110,000 annually.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance: YST pays 100% of employee-only premiums and 25% of eligible dependent premiums.
• Employer-paid life insurance; long-term disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with an employer match of up to 4% of eligible compensation.
• Paid time off: Accrual starts at 12 days annually, increasing to 15 days annually after one year of service. YST also provides six paid holidays, two floating holidays, and paid sick time accruing at one hour for every 40 hours worked, separate from PTO.
• Complimentary onsite wellness and recreation amenities, including a 24-hour gym, yoga classes, basketball and pickleball courts.

Equal employment opportunity

YST Semiconductor Technology Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. YST prohibits unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.