Buyer III - Direct Materials

Build the Supply Chain Behind Mission-Critical Satellite Communications

Join a market leader in satellite communications technology where your procurement expertise directly impacts products supporting commercial, government, and defense customers worldwide.

We're seeking an experienced Buyer III – Direct Materials to manage strategic procurement of direct materials and engineered components used in the manufacture of advanced antenna systems and RF technologies. This is a high-impact role supporting both New Product Introduction (NPI) and ongoing production, working closely with Engineering, Operations, Planning, Supplier Quality, and Program Management to ensure material availability, supplier performance, and cost competitiveness.

This is not an indirect purchasing or MRO role. You'll manage domestic suppliers providing precision fabricated components, machined parts, assemblies, enclosures, RF components, and other engineered materials critical to manufacturing.

What You'll Do

• Manage procurement activities for direct materials supporting both NPI and production manufacturing.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies that improve supplier performance, reduce total cost, and mitigate supply chain risk.
• Issue, manage, and expedite purchase orders for critical production materials and complex procurements.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, terms, and supplier agreements while building strong supplier partnerships.
• Partner with Engineering, Operations, Planning, Supplier Quality, and Program Management to resolve delivery, drawing, quality, and technical issues.
• Lead supplier corrective actions and monitor supplier performance to improve quality, delivery, and responsiveness.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new domestic suppliers that strengthen the supply base and support business growth.
• Support proposal and new product introduction activities with sourcing solutions that meet technical, schedule, and cost objectives.
• Participate in supplier audits, business reviews, and on-site supplier visits.
• Monitor supplier capacity, market conditions, and supply chain risks while identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and cost savings.
• Utilize ERP and MRP systems to effectively manage procurement activities and material flow.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required. Visa sponsorship is not available.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related discipline preferred, or equivalent professional experience.
• 7+ years of purchasing or supply chain experience supporting manufacturing operations.
• Experience purchasing direct materials and engineered components in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience purchasing fabricated metal components, machined parts, precision assemblies, RF components, or engineered products is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated success negotiating supplier pricing, contracts, lead times, and delivery commitments.
• Experience supporting both New Product Introduction (NPI) and production manufacturing.
• ERP system experience is required; JD Edwards (JDE) experience is preferred.
• MRP system experience preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications is preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build effective relationships across internal teams and suppliers.

Preferred Industry Experience

Experience in one or more of the following industries is highly desirable:

• Aerospace & Defense
• Satellite Communications (SatCom)
• RF/Microwave
• Telecommunications
• Space Systems
• Industrial Power Electronics
• High-Tech Electronics Manufacturing

Travel

• Approximately 10% travel to domestic supplier locations and other company facilities.

Why Join Us

You'll become part of a collaborative supply chain organization supporting the manufacture of industry-leading antenna technologies used in some of the world's most demanding communications applications. This role offers broad cross-functional exposure, ownership of critical supplier relationships, and the opportunity to directly influence operational performance, product delivery, and customer success.

Salary Range $73000-93000 / year

SHAPING THE FUTURE THROUGH INNOVATION AND DISCOVERY!

With a history spanning more than seven decades, Communications & Power Industries’ thousands of products have impacted people’s lives in numerous unseen ways every day. Our highly engineered products serve as the backbone of modern-day commercial and military communications systems, assist in diagnosing medical conditions, empower scientific discoveries and space exploration, and much more.

CPI is headquartered in Plano, Texas and is a global manufacturer of electronic components and subsystems. We have manufacturing locations in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. With a heritage of technological excellence, our team serves customers in the communications, defense, medical, industrial, and scientific markets.

WHAT WE OFFER:

Whether you are a seasoned professional or just embarking on your career, CPI is an ideal place to expand your knowledge and expertise. We cultivate a healthy, dynamic, and team-oriented environment that empowers our employees to develop, create and deliver innovative, reliable technology solutions to power, connect, protect, and support a better tomorrow.

 We offer our employees an attractive compensation package with competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including health and wellness programs, career development, generous retirement savings plan with company match and more!

WHO WE ARE:

We value the unique and diverse skills, qualities, and backgrounds that each employee brings to CPI, and we respect each employee as an integral member of our growing team. CPI is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all current and prospective employees, as well as to promoting a culture of inclusion and respect for everyone. We celebrate the innovation that diversity creates in the work environment, and we recognize that each employee brings their own unique capabilities, experiences, and perspectives to the organization. It is this variety that adds value to our teams, as well as to our stakeholders. We welcome and encourage applicants to reach their full potential with us.

CPI is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics.