Purchasing Specialist

nEye.ai, a well-funded optical switch startup, is poised to revolutionize the future of data centers. nEye’s MEMS-based silicon photonics optical circuit switches (OCS) eliminate critical bottlenecks in AI processing by enabling direct optical connections among thousands of GPUs and memory units. The company's OCS is an ultra-low power consumption, high radix, compact chip-scale design, offering hyperscale data centers enhanced performance, efficiency, and scalability.

We are looking for a highly organized and execution-oriented Purchasing Specialist to join our Operations team.

In this role, you will serve as the central purchasing partner for Engineering and Operations. You'll manage the purchasing process from initial request through supplier negotiation, purchase order issuance, delivery tracking, and receipt of critical materials.

Success in this role requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to keep multiple priorities moving simultaneously in a fast-paced hardware startup environment.

This position reports to the Head of Operations.

• Partner closely with Engineering and Operations/Supply Chain teams to understand purchasing requirements.

• Review purchase requests for completeness, urgency, and supplier selection.

• Request and evaluate supplier quotations for pricing, lead time, and commercial terms.

• Negotiate pricing, lead times, delivery schedules, and purchasing terms with suppliers.

• Manage purchase orders accurately and on schedule.

• Monitor open purchase orders and proactively follow up with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery.

• Communicate order status, delivery risks, shortages, and schedule changes to internal stakeholders.

• Resolve supplier issues related to pricing discrepancies, delayed shipments, order changes, or quality concerns in partnership with Engineering and Operations/Supply Chain.

• Coordinate with Operations/Supply Chain to ensure timely receipt and movement of purchased materials.

• Work with Finance team to maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier information, and procurement documentation within ERP and purchasing systems.

• Support supplier onboarding and maintain positive supplier relationships.

• Help improve procurement workflows, purchasing processes, and reporting as the company scales.

• Assist with inventory replenishment and purchasing planning as needed.

• Experience purchasing semiconductor, photonics, optics, precision mechanical components, electronics, PCB assemblies, laboratory equipment, or custom fabricated parts.

• Experience working with CMs, EMS providers, machine shops, and prototype suppliers.

• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems such as NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar platforms.

• Strong Excel and data analysis skills.

• Experience supporting NPI or R&D organizations.

• 3 - 7+ years of purchasing, procurement, buyer, or supply chain experience in hardware manufacturing, semiconductor, electronics, photonics, or related industries.

• Experience managing purchase orders from request through delivery.

• Demonstrated experience negotiating pricing, lead times, and commercial terms with suppliers.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage dozens of active purchase orders simultaneously.

• Experience working cross-functionally with Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams.

• Excellent follow-up skills and a proactive approach to resolving supplier issues.

• High attention to detail and strong documentation practices.

• Comfortable working in a rapidly changing startup environment where priorities evolve quickly.