Sr Buyer/Planner

nLIGHT, Inc.

Camas (WA)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 115,000

Full time

8 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Stock Purchase Plan

Tuition Assistance

Pet Insurance

Holidays and leave

Job summary

nLIGHT, Inc. in Camas, WA seeks a Senior Buyer/Planner to own end-to-end production planning and purchasing for complex product lines. You will translate demand into executable, compliant, and stable plans while owning delivery, cost, risk, and supplier outcomes.

The role emphasizes planning accuracy, lead-time reduction, data integrity, and cross-functional collaboration with Engineering and Operations. You will govern BOM release, Work Orders, and planning standards while mentoring junior team

Qualifications

6+ years of planning and purchasing experience in manufacturing.
Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, engineering, or related field preferred.
Strong cross-functional communication and influence skills.
Advanced proficiency in ERP systems, including D365 and data analysis.

Responsibilities

Optimize production flow by identifying bottlenecks and balancing capacity and demand volatility.
Lead root cause analyses for shortages, capacity constraints, and execution issues.
Drive continuous improvement in planning accuracy and schedule stability.
Support NPI item tracking and readiness for new product introductions.
Partner with Engineering and Operations to define and drive planning strategy.
Own end-to-end production planning and purchasing for complex product lines.

Skills

Planning & Purchasing

ERP systems (D365)

Cross-functional communication

Data analysis with Excel

Supply chain management

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, engineering, or related field

Tools

D365

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 Senior Buyer/Planner is the functional expert responsible for end-to-end production planning and purchasing for complex, high impact product lines. This role translates demand into executable, compliant, and stable production and material plans while owning delivery, cost, risk, and supplier outcomes. The Senior Buyer/Planner solves systemic planning, scheduling, and material issues; defines and governs planning standards; mentors and develops junior Buyer/Planners; and drives continuous improvement across planning, purchasing, and ERP disciplines. Success in this role is defined by sustained operational stability, strategic supplier performance, strong cross functional influence, and measurable improvement in planning maturity and resilience.

Key Responsibilities

Optimize production flow by identifying bottlenecks, proposing load leveling strategies, and balancing capacity, material availability, and demand volatility
Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for chronic shortages, Work Order failures, capacity constraints, and systemic execution issues
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on planning accuracy, lead time reduction, data integrity, and schedule stability
Support NPI item tracking and ensure planning and purchasing readiness for new product introductions
Train and mentor Associate Buyer/Planner and Buyer/Planner I/II team members on D365, Work Order discipline, and planning and purchasing methodologies
Participate in planning optimization initiatives and advanced D365 tooling to improve scalability and decision quality
Monitor supplier and subcontractor contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations
Ensure compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations, DFARS, and Cost Accounting Standards (FAR, DFARS, CAS)
Support price and cost analysis of subcontractor proposals, ensuring alignment with sector policies and regulatory requirements
Support audits, customer engagements, and compliance driven planning and purchasing activities
Lead supplier and part qualification initiatives to support resiliency, scalability, and compliance
Lead supplier negotiations and cost reduction initiatives, balancing cost, quality, delivery, and risk
Own planning and purchasing standards, work instructions, and governance models, including Work Order policies, frozen fences, and BOM release rules
Partner with Engineering to govern BOM accuracy, release readiness, and configuration discipline
Partner with Operations and Engineering leadership to define and drive planning strategy
Lead planning and purchasing integration into S&OP, ensuring alignment across forecast, capacity, inventory, and material strategies
Own end to end production planning and purchasing for complex product lines, ensuring demand is translated into stable, executable, and compliant plans
Ensure consistent application of planning discipline across teams and programs
Own supplier related risk identification and mitigation strategies for assigned product lines
Serve as a subject matter expert and escalation point for complex planning, material, and supplier issues.
Influence cross functional decision making through clear, data driven communication and leadership presence

Qualifications

6+ years of experience in planning and purchasing, supply chain management, or manufacturing operations; prior Buyer/Planner or production leadership experience strongly preferred.
Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, engineering, or a related field preferred, or equivalent practical experience
Deep planning and purchasing expertise with the ability to anticipate downstream impacts of changes across the supply chain
Exceptional cross functional communication and influence skills
Advanced proficiency in ERP systems, including D365 (filters, exception management, analysis, and optimization)
Proven ability to manage dynamic build plans, rapid prioritization, and urgent escalations in a high stakes environment
Advanced analytical capability, including expert use of Excel for data analysis and decision support

Preferred Experience

Experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD), aerospace, or government-funded programs.
Working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and subcontract compliance requirements.
Experience performing price analysis, price reasonableness determinations, and supplier proposal evaluations.
Familiarity with supplier source selection processes, competitive bid evaluations, and sole-source justification documentation.
Experience supporting supplier flow downs for contractual, quality, cybersecurity, export control, and regulatory requirements.
Exposure to Contractor Purchasing System Reviews (CPSR), Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), customer audits, or other regulatory reviews.
Experience working within AS9100, ISO 9001, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
Knowledge of counterfeit parts prevention, supply chain assurance, supplier risk management, and supply chain resiliency practices.
Familiarity with government property, customer-furnished property, and material traceability requirements.
Experience supporting proposal activities, fact-finding efforts, Requests for Information (RFIs), and compliance-driven procurement activities.
Experience leading supplier qualification, supplier development, and supplier performance improvement initiatives.
Experience negotiating long-term supplier agreements, strategic sourcing initiatives, and cost reduction programs.
Familiarity with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR)

nLIGHT is proud to offer comprehensive COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay rate is based on qualifications

Sr Buyer/Planner - $90K - $115K 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
Company paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, and Life & AD&D Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Aflac Supplemental Insurance
Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
401(k) with company match and immediate vesting
Jury Duty and Bereavement Leave Pay
Tuition Assistance
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 (360) 566-4460 or [email protected].

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: