Technical Buyer

Our mission is to provide real-time on-orbit connectivity for critical missions, enabling a new era of data-driven intelligence and innovation. With 33 satellites launched to date, Kepler operates the first commercial optical data relay constellation, enabling real-time, continuous space communications while supporting advanced on-orbit compute and hosted payload capabilities. 

Key Responsibilities:

Tactical Purchasing & Supplier Management 

• Execute day-to-day purchasing activities in support of Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Test, Logistics, and corporate functions 

• Process purchase requests, obtain supplier quotations, evaluate pricing and lead times, and issue purchase orders in a timely manner

• Expedite purchase orders to ensure on-time delivery of materials, equipment, and services

• Monitor open purchase orders, supplier acknowledgements, delivery commitments, and shipment status, proactively resolving delays and discrepancies

• Perform routine commercial negotiations for pricing, delivery, and payment terms

• Serve as the primary day-to-day purchasing contact for assigned suppliers

• Coordinate supplier onboarding activities and maintain approved supplier documentation

• Escalate supplier delivery, quality, and supply risks with recommended mitigation actions

• Monitor supplier performance and support supplier accountability for schedule, quality, and responsiveness

 Operations & Cross-Functional Support 

• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Production, Program Management, Finance, and other internal stakeholders to understand purchasing priorities and material requirements

• Respond quickly to changing priorities and urgent procurement requests in a fast-paced environment

• Coordinate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to ensure timely material availability, providing regular updates on open orders, critical deliveries, and schedule risks

• Coordinate with Receiving, Quality, and Accounts Payable to resolve purchasing, inspection, invoice, and payment issues

• Support new product introduction (NPI) activities by purchasing prototype and development hardware

• Support operational purchasing requirements for Manufacturing, Logistics, and Inventory Management

• Participate in production and program standups as required, communicating material availability, supplier risks, and delivery status

• Support production issue resolution related to supplier performance or material availability

Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain accurate procurement, supplier, inventory, and ERP records

• Support inventory replenishment, material tracking, and inventory management activities

• Identify opportunities to improve purchasing efficiency, supplier responsiveness, and procurement processes

• Support the implementation and continuous improvement of procurement systems, workflows, reporting, and automation initiatives

• Contribute to process standardization and best practices across the Supply Chain function

• Maintain a high level of urgency, accuracy, and customer service while managing multiple competing priorities

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience

• 2+ years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing or fast-paced operational environment

• Experience processing purchase orders, obtaining supplier quotations, and managing supplier deliveries

• Strong understanding of purchasing processes, order management, and supplier coordination

• Experience using ERP/MRP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics) and Microsoft Excel

• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy

• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, respond to changing business needs, and meet tight deadlines

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Finance, and other business functions

• Customer-focused mindset with a sense of urgency and a proactive approach to problem-solving

• Experience expediting suppliers, resolving delivery issues, and coordinating with internal stakeholders to maintain material availability

• Experience in Aerospace, Defense, Space, Electronics, Robotics, high-tech manufacturing, or a regulated industry is considered an asset

Bonus Points:

• Experience supporting NPI and production programs

• Familiarity with supplier quality processes and corrective action management

• Experience working with complex electromechanical assemblies and long-lead components

• Familiarity with supplier quality processes, corrective actions, and supplier performance management 

• Professional supply chain certification (SCMP, CPSM, CSCP, APICS, or equivalent)

• CIPS – Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (MCIPS or FCIPS)