Supplier Quality/Sr. Buyer III

Company: Communications and Power Industries LLC
Location: Kilgore
Posted on: February 14, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Lead Innovation. Build Excellence. Drive Results. CPI is seeking a highly experienced and independent Supplier Quality / Senior Buyer III to lead strategic sourcing and supplier quality initiatives across fabrication, manufacturing, and raw material categories. This role is critical to achieving cost savings, improving supplier performance, and supporting CPI’s operational excellence. Reporting directly to the Director of Supply Chain Management, the Buyer will operate with minimal supervision and serve as a key contributor to CPI’s procurement strategy and supplier development efforts. U.S. Citizenship is required. YOU WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR: Procurement & Supplier Management Execute and manage purchase orders for high-value, high-risk commodities including fabrication, manufacturing, and raw materials Lead supplier negotiations to improve quality and reduce total cost of ownership Prepare and issue complex purchase orders and agreements, ensuring compliance with internal policies and procedures Identify and mitigate contractual risks during negotiation of terms and conditions Develop new supply sources when existing suppliers are no longer competitive Recommend cost-saving alternatives and sourcing strategies Monitor supplier performance across cost, schedule, and quality metrics Collaborate with internal teams to ensure timely and cost-effective acquisition of goods and services Conduct supplier onsite visits—approximately 20% travel required Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with management on commodity business plans, market trends, pricing, and availability Supports proposal activities with innovative solutions to meet Program needs and requirements Coordinate with engineering, QA, and program management to resolve supplier quality issues Mentor junior buyers and contribute to team development Compliance & Reporting Ensure procurement activities align with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR/DFAR) and contractual flow-downs Maintain accurate records in ERP/MRP systems and CRM tools Perform cost/price analysis on moderate to high complexity procurements Publish trip reports and contribute to supplier strategy sessions Support internal audits and compliance reviews as needed Performs other duties as needed and assigned. YOU ARE THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THIS JOB IF YOU HAVE : U.S. Citizenship required; no visa sponsorship or permanent residence considered Bachelor’s degree in a related field and/or APICS certification preferred 8 years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain Strong background in fabrication, manufacturing, and raw materials Proven supplier management and sourcing expertise Skilled in negotiation, cost analysis, and risk mitigation Familiar with FAR/DFAR, ERP/MRP systems, and government contracting requirements Able to lead complex procurements and mentor junior buyers Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills Comfortable working independently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, and ability to resolve complex issues creatively 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. LI-KC1

Keywords: Communications and Power Industries LLC, Tyler , Supplier Quality/Sr. Buyer III, Engineering , Kilgore, Texas