H-1B Visa Lead Buyer Jobs
Lead Buyer jobs with H-1B visa sponsorship sit at the intersection of supply chain strategy and regulatory compliance. Employers filing an LCA must certify a prevailing wage for your specific worksite, and the role typically qualifies as a specialty occupation when structured around a bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business, or a related field.
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Get Access To All JobsJOB SUMMARY
The Lead Buyer / Planner will own the supplier side of the ramp: strategic agreements with key suppliers, capacity and allocation commitments, second-source qualification for critical materials, supplier risk monitoring, and purchasing of the key high-volume supplies. Works with product line management and engineering to hold one normal configuration per product, so what we buy is what the bill of material says we build.
This person will manage agreements and relationships set up in the first two quarters of product ramp and will govern cost and continuity of supply for the life of the line.
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage processes related to the purchase of equipment, supplies and services for assigned suppliers, categories and manufacturing site.
- Participate in developing and monitoring performance against the annual operating budget.
- Coordinate formal and informal bids, request for quote/qualification (RFQ’S), Request for proposals (RFP’S); ensures all applicable legal and contractual provisions are met; manage and participate in solicitation, evaluation and award of bids; perform or assist others in the performance of price/cost analysis; negotiate contract provisions; prepare specifications as required.
- Leader in cost reduction activity and report them to the management on a consistent basis.
- Maintains the MRP system’s integrity, monitoring indicators, reporting on and ensuring the smooth flow of purchasing transactions (from PO entry, expediting, tracking multi-party component assemblies, assist in part number creation, etc.)
- Create consigned vendor managed inventory (CVMI) or vendor managed inventory (VMI) agreements and maintain proper inventory levels to the benefit of the operation’s performance.
- Determine appropriate contracts for various types of procurement needs; review requisitions/purchase orders and related documents for completeness, accuracy and compliance with department and company procedures and requirements; review invoices and other documentation for accuracy and compliance; resolve disputed invoices.
- Have an in depth understanding of commodities purchased and industry leaders that provide said commodities. Interface with internal customers, work with peer groups and support the purchasing team.
- Participate and or lead cross functional teams to meet department goals and objectives. Must be the commercial expert in all team activities.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- Minimum 7 yrs. of direct or closely related experience.
- BS/MS or equivalent degree in related field.
SKILLS
- Working understanding of MRP systems, bill of materials (BOM), Accounting, production control, receiving and inventory along with some database management skills will support the requirements of this job.
- Understand Purchasing’s role in the ERP/MRP (Expandable) environment along with ability to interface with manufacturing data base systems (Agile).
- Strong customer service skills are required to be able to interface with internal customers as well as outside suppliers. Must be able to effectively communicate between operations personnel and upper management.
- Must have strong time management skills; Self-motivation is required for timely completion of projects and duties.
- Working knowledge of the procurement and supplier management processes.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills are required to support internal customer’s and external supplier relationships. Conflict resolution and team development in a dynamic environment requiring the ability to work with and influence others.
- Must be willing to get involved, ask questions, obtain support from and give to others.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Normal office environment and climate-controlled manufacturing facilities.
- Work around chemicals (such as solids and acids).
- Weekend availability may be required.
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.
QUALITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
CULTURE COMMITMENT
Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:
I ntegrity – Create an Environment of Trust
C ollaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
A ccountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
R espect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
E nthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.
JOB SUMMARY
The Lead Buyer / Planner will own the supplier side of the ramp: strategic agreements with key suppliers, capacity and allocation commitments, second-source qualification for critical materials, supplier risk monitoring, and purchasing of the key high-volume supplies. Works with product line management and engineering to hold one normal configuration per product, so what we buy is what the bill of material says we build.
This person will manage agreements and relationships set up in the first two quarters of product ramp and will govern cost and continuity of supply for the life of the line.
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage processes related to the purchase of equipment, supplies and services for assigned suppliers, categories and manufacturing site.
- Participate in developing and monitoring performance against the annual operating budget.
- Coordinate formal and informal bids, request for quote/qualification (RFQ’S), Request for proposals (RFP’S); ensures all applicable legal and contractual provisions are met; manage and participate in solicitation, evaluation and award of bids; perform or assist others in the performance of price/cost analysis; negotiate contract provisions; prepare specifications as required.
- Leader in cost reduction activity and report them to the management on a consistent basis.
- Maintains the MRP system’s integrity, monitoring indicators, reporting on and ensuring the smooth flow of purchasing transactions (from PO entry, expediting, tracking multi-party component assemblies, assist in part number creation, etc.)
- Create consigned vendor managed inventory (CVMI) or vendor managed inventory (VMI) agreements and maintain proper inventory levels to the benefit of the operation’s performance.
- Determine appropriate contracts for various types of procurement needs; review requisitions/purchase orders and related documents for completeness, accuracy and compliance with department and company procedures and requirements; review invoices and other documentation for accuracy and compliance; resolve disputed invoices.
- Have an in depth understanding of commodities purchased and industry leaders that provide said commodities. Interface with internal customers, work with peer groups and support the purchasing team.
- Participate and or lead cross functional teams to meet department goals and objectives. Must be the commercial expert in all team activities.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- Minimum 7 yrs. of direct or closely related experience.
- BS/MS or equivalent degree in related field.
SKILLS
- Working understanding of MRP systems, bill of materials (BOM), Accounting, production control, receiving and inventory along with some database management skills will support the requirements of this job.
- Understand Purchasing’s role in the ERP/MRP (Expandable) environment along with ability to interface with manufacturing data base systems (Agile).
- Strong customer service skills are required to be able to interface with internal customers as well as outside suppliers. Must be able to effectively communicate between operations personnel and upper management.
- Must have strong time management skills; Self-motivation is required for timely completion of projects and duties.
- Working knowledge of the procurement and supplier management processes.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills are required to support internal customer’s and external supplier relationships. Conflict resolution and team development in a dynamic environment requiring the ability to work with and influence others.
- Must be willing to get involved, ask questions, obtain support from and give to others.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Normal office environment and climate-controlled manufacturing facilities.
- Work around chemicals (such as solids and acids).
- Weekend availability may be required.
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.
QUALITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
CULTURE COMMITMENT
Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:
I ntegrity – Create an Environment of Trust
C ollaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
A ccountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
R espect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
E nthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.
See all 153+ H-1B Visa Lead Buyer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Lead Buyer
Frame your degree for specialty occupation
USCIS evaluates whether Lead Buyer duties require a specific bachelor's-level field, not just any degree. Pull your O*NET occupation profile and map your supply chain, procurement, or business degree directly to the theoretical and analytical duties listed there.
Verify prevailing wage before negotiating offers
Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the DOL prevailing wage for your SOC code and worksite location. Run the OFLC Wage Search for Purchasing Agents and Buyers (SOC 13-1023) in each city where you'll work before you discuss compensation.
Target manufacturers and distributors with LCA history
Use Migrate Mate to identify employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history in procurement and supply chain roles. Companies with active sourcing operations across multiple suppliers are far more practiced at H-1B sponsorship than those treating it as a one-off exception.
Clarify multi-site coverage before signing
If your Lead Buyer role requires regular travel to supplier facilities or distribution centers, each primary worksite needs its own certified LCA. Ask during the offer stage whether the employer plans to file location-specific LCAs or restrict your worksite to headquarters only.
Document commodity expertise in your resume
H-1B petitions for procurement roles often face requests for evidence when job duties appear generalist. Build your resume around a defined commodity category, specific spend thresholds, and strategic sourcing methodologies to reinforce the degree-level complexity USCIS looks for.
Plan your timeline around cap selection changes
H-1B cap selection rules have changed recently, so don't rely on older timelines when planning your start date with a new employer. Confirm with USCIS directly or through your employer's immigration counsel whether premium processing fits your offer timeline.
H-1B Visa Lead Buyer: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Lead Buyer role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
It can qualify when the employer structures the position around duties that normally require at least a bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business, or a related field. Roles focused on strategic sourcing, supplier negotiation, demand forecasting, or cross-functional procurement planning are strongest. USCIS looks at whether the degree requirement is standard for the position in the industry, not just at one company.
Which employers commonly sponsor H-1B visas for Lead Buyer positions?
Manufacturers, aerospace and defense contractors, pharmaceutical companies, and large consumer goods companies tend to sponsor most consistently, because their procurement functions are complex enough to justify degree requirements. Browse Migrate Mate to find employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history specifically in procurement and supply chain roles, filtered by location and industry.
How does the prevailing wage requirement affect Lead Buyer offers?
Before USCIS can approve an H-1B petition, the employer must file a certified LCA with DOL confirming the offered salary meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for your SOC code and worksite city. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up current wage levels for Purchasing Agents and Buyers in your target market before you enter salary negotiations, so you aren't caught off guard by minimum thresholds.
Can my H-1B transfer to a new Lead Buyer employer if I change jobs?
Yes. Under portability rules, you can begin working for a new sponsoring employer once they file an H-1B transfer petition, without waiting for USCIS approval, as long as your previous status was lawfully maintained. The new employer must file a fresh LCA and I-129 petition for the new position and worksite before your start date.
What happens to my H-1B status if my Lead Buyer role is eliminated?
You have a 60-day grace period after involuntary termination to find a new sponsoring employer, file for a change of status, or make plans to depart. H-1B status is tied to the specific employer and petition, so you can't continue working during the grace period. Starting your job search immediately is critical, and Migrate Mate lists employers actively filing H-1B LCAs so you can target companies already set up to sponsor.