Senior Sourcing Specialist – Germany Operations & Manufacturing 

About Astera Labs 

Astera Labs (NASDAQ: ALAB) is a pioneering fabless semiconductor company headquartered in Silicon Valley, driving the evolution of AI and cloud infrastructure through purpose-built connectivity solutions. As a leader in rack-scale architecture, Astera Labs is enabling the shift to AI Infrastructure 2.0, where compute is optimized at the rack level to support next-generation workloads. 

Our portfolio spans high-performance silicon, software, and system-level solutions that address critical bottlenecks in data movement across compute, memory, and networking domains. We are committed to open standards, continuous innovation, and building a collaborative environment to solve complex challenges at scale. 

Role Overview 

Astera Labs is seeking a hands-on Senior Sourcing Specialist – Germany Operations & Manufacturing to support sourcing and procurement activities for our operations in Aachen, Germany. This role is responsible for supplier management, purchasing operations, commercial negotiations, and procurement support for manufacturing operations, engineering infrastructure, capital equipment, facilities, laboratories, and corporate services. The role will also provide support for materials management and logistics activities as needed to help ensure efficient operation of the Aachen site. 

The ideal candidate will serve as a key sourcing partner for the Aachen site, working closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations, Facilities, Finance, and Global Procurement teams to ensure the timely and cost-effective acquisition of equipment, materials, and services required to support manufacturing operations and site growth. 

The ideal candidate will bring experience supporting optical communications technologies, advanced manufacturing, engineering, laboratory, or other highly technical operating environments. Experience sourcing capital equipment, technical equipment, specialized services, or manufacturing-related products and services is highly desirable. 

This position requires strong sourcing and procurement fundamentals, supplier relationship management skills, attention to detail, and cross-functional collaboration. The successful candidate will help execute sourcing initiatives, support supplier relationships, negotiate pricing and commercial terms, and contribute to procurement process improvements that support Astera Labs' continued growth. 

 

A Day in the Life 

In this role, you'll work closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Facilities, Quality, Finance, and Operations teams to support a growing production and engineering environment. You will help ensure manufacturing and operational readiness by sourcing critical equipment, managing supplier relationships, obtaining quotations, supporting commercial discussions, and coordinating the procurement of materials and services needed to support day-to-day operations. 

Your responsibilities will range from sourcing production capital equipment and manufacturing consumables to supporting facility expansion projects, supplier performance initiatives, and logistics coordination. While the primary focus of this role is sourcing and procurement, you will also assist with materials planning, inventory tracking, and supplier delivery management to help support operational continuity as the Aachen operation continues to scale. 

This is a highly collaborative role requiring strong organization, responsiveness, customer service, and the ability to manage multiple sourcing activities across a diverse group of stakeholders. 

 

Key Responsibilities 

• Support sourcing and procurement activities for Astera Labs' Aachen manufacturing and operations site. 

• Source and purchase production capital equipment, manufacturing consumables, laboratory equipment, facilities equipment, MRO supplies, IT equipment, and corporate services. 

• Execute RFQs, supplier evaluations, bid analyses, and commercial negotiations in partnership with internal stakeholders. 

• Support supplier selection, contract administration, and purchasing activities across assigned spend categories. 

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, contractors, service providers, logistics providers, and equipment vendors. 

• Partner with Manufacturing and Engineering teams to procure production equipment, test systems, tooling, spare parts, manufacturing consumables, laboratory equipment, technical equipment, and engineering support services. 

• Source specialized manufacturing equipment, laboratory equipment, automation systems, precision instrumentation, and technical services supporting production and engineering activities. 

• Support Facilities teams with site expansions, facility upgrades, equipment installations, contractor sourcing, and workplace infrastructure projects. 

• Assist with materials planning, inventory monitoring, and supplier delivery coordination to help ensure material availability and continuity of operations. 

• Support logistics coordination, including inbound shipments, freight management, import/export activities, shipment tracking, and supplier delivery performance. 

• Manage purchase requisitions, purchase orders, delivery tracking, and invoice resolution activities. 

• Coordinate supplier onboarding, compliance documentation, and supplier performance reviews. 

• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Finance, Operations, and Global Procurement teams to ensure purchasing activities align with production schedules, budgets, forecasts, and company policies. 

• Identify opportunities for cost savings, supplier improvements, process efficiencies, and operational enhancements. 

• Maintain procurement records and ensure compliance with company policies and applicable regulatory requirements. 

 

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations, Engineering, Logistics, or a related field. 

• 5–8+ years of experience in sourcing, procurement, purchasing operations, supply chain, manufacturing support, or related functions. 

• Experience sourcing capital equipment, manufacturing consumables, production materials, MRO supplies, laboratory equipment, or technical products and services. 

• Experience negotiating pricing with suppliers and supporting commercial agreements. 

• Experience supporting manufacturing, production, engineering, optical communications, laboratory, or industrial operations. 

• Familiarity with ERP and procurement systems such as SAP, Oracle, Coupa, or similar platforms. 

• Working knowledge of materials planning, inventory management, and logistics processes. 

• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities across stakeholders. 

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. 

• Fluency in both English and German (written and spoken) is required. 

• Experience working with suppliers and service providers throughout Germany and Europe. 

 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience supporting optical communications technologies, electronics, advanced manufacturing, laboratory, or engineering organizations. 

• Experience supporting manufacturing operations, research laboratories, product development environments, or other technical operating environments. 

• Experience sourcing specialized manufacturing equipment, production tooling, laboratory equipment, automation systems, cleanroom equipment, or precision manufacturing technologies. 

• Familiarity with technical equipment, precision instrumentation, manufacturing systems, testing equipment, or related industrial technologies. 

• Knowledge of European supplier markets, logistics networks, and sourcing practices. 

• Experience supporting capital equipment installations, production line expansion projects, facility upgrades, or manufacturing infrastructure initiatives. 

• Familiarity with import/export regulations, freight management, and international logistics. 

• Experience working within a global, high-growth technology company. 

• CPSM, CSCP, CPIM, or similar professional certifications are a plus. 

 

Why Join Us? 

• Be part of a high-growth company advancing the future of AI infrastructure. 

• Help support manufacturing operations, production readiness, and operational excellence in Germany. 

• Partner closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Facilities, and Global Operations teams on impactful business initiatives. 

• Build supplier partnerships that directly support Astera Labs' operational success and growth. 

• Gain exposure to sourcing, procurement, logistics, and manufacturing support activities within a highly technical environment. 

• Contribute to the continued expansion of a growing manufacturing and engineering organization. 

• Competitive compensation, equity, and benefits.