Category/Commodity Manager - Optics

nLIGHT, Inc.; Camas (WA); On-site; USD 93,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Restricted stock units

Paid time off

Health benefits

401(k) with match

Disability insurance

Life & AD&D insurance

Tuition assistance

Pet insurance

Holiday pay

Job summary

nLIGHT, Inc. in Camas, WA is seeking a Category Manager – Optics to lead sourcing strategies for critical direct materials and technology for precision optics.

You will oversee supplier performance, optimize portfolios, mitigate risks, and support product roadmaps in collaboration with Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Programs teams. The role emphasizes qualification activities, cost objectives, and continuity of supply for both commercial and government programs, with a comprehensive

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, or related discipline.
• 4+ years of experience in category management, strategic sourcing, supply chain, or related field.
• Experience developing category strategies and managing supplier relationships.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes category and supplier strategies aligned with business priorities and manufacturing needs.
• Shapes supplier portfolio across categories to support qualification plans and reduce single-source dependency.
• Drives supplier performance via scorecards, QBRs, and corrective actions to improve quality and delivery.
• Negotiates supplier agreements and terms, including pricing, lead time, and capacity.
• Partners with Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Program teams on sourcing strategies for new and sustaining products.
• Monitors market conditions and regulatory developments to protect continuity of supply for critical programs.
• Identifies and mitigates supplier concentration and single-source risks through alternate sourcing.
• Ensures sourcing activities comply with regulations and internal policies.
• Drives improvements in sourcing processes, tools, and analytics for better decisions.
• Provides guidance to strengthen sourcing discipline and cross-functional execution.
• Communicates strategies, risks, and recommendations to leadership.

Skills

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Supplier management

Negotiation

Analytical skills

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulated environment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

ERP systems

Job description

Who We Are

At nLIGHT, we are constantly extending the cutting-edge of laser technology in multiple dynamic and growing markets. We are a leading provider of high-power semiconductors and fiber lasers for industrial, microfabrication, and aerospace & defense applications, to name a few. Our lasers are changing not only the way things are made, but also changing the things that can be made.

Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR).

Job Summary

The Category Manager – Optics is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for critical direct material and technology for precision optics categories. This role is accountable for supplier performance, supplier portfolio optimization, supply risk mitigation, and compliant procurement execution across commercial and government programs. In partnership with Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Program teams, the Category Manager supports product roadmaps, qualification requirements, new product introduction (NPI), cost objectives, and continuity of supply.

Key Responsibilities

• Develops and executes category and supplier strategies aligned with business priorities, product roadmaps, technology requirements, and manufacturing needs.
• Shapes the supplier portfolio across assigned categories through supplier segmentation, capability coverage, and sourcing strategy to support qualification plans and reduce single-source dependency where feasible.
• Drives supplier performance through scorecards, Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), and corrective actions to improve quality, delivery, responsiveness, and capacity alignment.
• Negotiates supplier agreements and commercial terms, including pricing, lead time, capacity, inventory strategies, technology partnerships, risk-sharing arrangements, and other provisions that support cost competitiveness and continuity of supply.
• Partners with Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Program teams on supplier selection, make/buy decisions, qualification activities, and sourcing strategies for new and sustaining products.
• Monitors market conditions, regulatory developments, and geopolitical risks to proactively identify supply constraints and protect continuity of supply for critical programs and production needs.
• Identifies and mitigates supplier concentration, capacity, and single-source risks through alternate sourcing, recovery planning, and continuity-of-supply actions, as appropriate.
• Ensures sourcing activities comply with applicable regulations, contractual requirements, and internal purchasing policies.
• Drives improvements in sourcing processes, tools, and analytics to increase visibility, strengthen execution, and support better business decisions.
• Serves as a trusted subject matter expert by providing guidance and support that strengthens sourcing discipline and cross-functional execution.
• Communicates sourcing strategies, risks, and recommendations clearly to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline; 4+ years of experience in category management, strategic sourcing, supply chain, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience developing category strategies and managing supplier relationships in a manufacturing, technology, or regulated environment.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating supplier agreements and commercial terms.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Familiarity with government contracting, trade compliance, or regulated industry requirements, including FAR, DFARS, ITAR, or EAR, is preferred.
• Experience leading sourcing, supplier performance, or process improvement initiatives.
• Proficiency in ERP systems, Microsoft Excel, and other sourcing or analytics tools.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders, manage competing priorities, and deliver results in a cross-functional environment.

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD), aerospace, or other government-funded programs in regulated environments subject to FAR, DFARS, ITAR, EAR, AS9100, or related requirements.
• Experience with government procurement and subcontract compliance, including supplier flowdowns, source selection, sole-source justifications, price and cost analysis, procurement documentation, government or customer property, and Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), or customer audit activities.
• Knowledge of counterfeit parts prevention, supply chain assurance, supplier risk management, and supply chain resiliency practices.
• Experience leading supplier qualification and development, new product introduction (NPI), make/buy decisions, strategic supplier selection, and negotiations involving long-term agreements, capacity reservations, or risk-sharing arrangements.
• Experience sourcing and managing suppliers for precision, coated, reflective, or fiber optics; photonic components; optical assemblies; or beam-combining technologies, with familiarity in optical manufacturing processes, qualification requirements, and quality standards.

nLIGHT is proud to offer comprehensive COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Starting pay depends on qualifications:

• Category Manager: $92,500 - $105,000
• Sr Category Manager: $100,000 - $123,000 annually

Other Compensation and Benefits

• Target Cash Bonus of 5% of earned wages
• Eligible for Restricted Stock Unit grants
• 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year
• 10 paid Holidays
• Eligible for health benefits on the 1st day of the month after your start date
• Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits, including prescription and orthodontia with employee-paid premiums as low as $40.00 per pay period
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting
• Company paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, and Life & AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Aflac Supplemental Insurance
• Paid Bereavement Leave and Jury Duty
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Pet Insurance

nLIGHT is subject to US Export Control regulations. To qualify for this position, you must be a US Person (that is, a US citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual granted asylum or refugee status).

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].

E-Verify Participation:
nLIGHT participates in the E-Verify program. This employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

For more information, please review the following notices:

• E-Verify Participation Poster
• Right to Work Poster