Senior Electronics Sourcing Strategist

nLIGHT; Camas (WA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Target bonus 5%

Restricted stock units

Paid time off

Holidays

Health benefits start day 1

401(k) match

Disability insurance

Employee assistance program

Tuition assistance

Pet insurance

Job summary

nLIGHT is seeking a Senior Category Manager to lead direct material and technology sourcing for electronics. You will work with Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Programs to support roadmaps, qualification needs, and continuity of supply across DoD and commercial programs.

You will shape supplier portfolios, negotiate terms, and monitor market and regulatory changes to mitigate risk while driving cost competitiveness and supplier performance improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years in category management or equivalent.
• Experience developing category strategies and managing supplier relationships in manufacturing or regulated environments.
• Strong negotiation of supplier agreements and commercial terms.
• Analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Familiarity with FAR/DFARS/ITAR/EAR preferred.
• Experience leading sourcing or process improvement initiatives.
• Proficiency in ERP and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Develops category and supplier strategies aligned with business priorities and roadmaps.
• Shapes supplier portfolio to support qualification plans and reduce single-source risk.
• Drives supplier performance with scorecards, QBRs, and corrective actions.
• Negotiates supplier agreements, pricing, lead time, capacity, and terms.
• Partners with Engineering, Quality, Operations on supplier selection and make/buy decisions.
• Monitors market conditions and regulatory risks to protect continuity of supply.
• Identifies and mitigates supplier concentration and risk through alternate sourcing.
• Ensures sourcing activities comply with regulations and internal policies.
• Drives improvements in sourcing processes, tools, and analytics.
• Acts as subject-matter expert and communicates strategies to leadership.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Decision making

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or related

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Sourcing tools

Job description

nLIGHT is seeking a Senior Category Manager to lead direct material and technology sourcing for electronics. You will work with Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Programs to support roadmaps, qualification needs, and continuity of supply across DoD and commercial programs.

You will shape supplier portfolios, negotiate terms, and monitor market and regulatory changes to mitigate risk while driving cost competitiveness and supplier performance improvement.