Material Science Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

ICON is seeking a strategic and technically skilled Strategic Sourcing Specialist II to drive sourcing and procurement of critical raw materials and consumables as we launch new technologies and expand into emerging markets. This high-impact role will be central to the success of our Titan program, with responsibilities spanning material operations, process mapping, vendor discovery, and new product introduction. Your work will directly influence cost optimization, supplier performance, and product quality. You will collaborate cross-functionally with teams in Material Science, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Program Management to build and maintain a resilient, multi-regional supply chain. Your efforts will also support core planning activities such as supply/demand forecasting and cost modeling.

The ideal candidate brings a strong technical foundation, deep experience in supplier lifecycle management, and a track record of minimizing sole-source risk while accelerating speed, scale, and cost efficiency. This position is based at ICON's Austin, TX campus and reports to the Director of Supply Chain and Material Operations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead strategic sourcing and procurement of raw materials and consumables with a focus on cost optimization and risk mitigation.
• Conduct localized vendor sourcing and outreach to identify and evaluate suppliers based on quality, cost, and delivery performance to support new print systems and market expansion. 
• Run material and equipment cost models and data analytics to inform key strategic decisions for the Operations team. 
• Support regional New Product Introduction (NPI) activities by coordinating with suppliers and internal stakeholders to meet development timelines, production readiness ,and deployment to the field.
• Support material control and delivery systems to ensure a timely and accurate flow of materials throughout the testing and production process.
• Evaluate market feasibility of an evolving material delivery business model by analyzing operational, financial, and logistical factors to support strategic decision-making.
• Develop and execute material supply strategies that align with cost targets and ICON's long-term vision.
• Support and enhance supply/demand forecasting processes to ensure accurate internal and external capacity planning across all raw materials and consumables.
• Benchmark industry trends to inform sourcing decisions, supplier development, and cost modeling.
• Establish supplier selection criteria and manage the RFQ process in close collaboration with Material Science and Engineering.
• Negotiate critical supplier agreements to secure best-in-class commercial terms, delivery performance, and flexibility.
• Manage supplier lifecycle processes including qualification, onboarding, readiness planning, and performance tracking.
• Resolve supplier-related issues impacting production schedules, including quality, lead time, and capacity challenges.
• Build and lead a high-performing supply chain team, including Supply Chain Managers and Purchasing Specialists.
• Manage the end-to-end procurement process for Material Operations, including sourcing suppliers, negotiating pricing and contracts, issuing purchase orders, and ensuring timely delivery of materials while maintaining cost efficiency and quality standards.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in supply chain management within high-velocity industries.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional technical teams to drive material strategy, cost reduction, and supply resilience.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent programs and suppliers in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable working autonomously with a bias for action and continuous improvement.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and supply chain modeling.
• Willingness to travel up to 20%.
   

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain or related field.
• Familiarity with systems such as Jira, Confluence, and ERP/MRP platforms, specifically with Netsuite integration and training.
• Experience with construction raw material operations, sourcing, and production.