Description
Who We Are
At nLIGHT, we are constantly on the cutting-edge of laser technology in a massively growing market. 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).
nLIGHT seeks two Buyer/Planners for our Supply Chain Team. Key duties include optimizing production schedules and inventory with cross-functional teams, managing work orders, executing cost-effective procurement strategies, mitigating supply risks, maintaining records, and coordinating supplier deliveries. This position requires the ability to develop a collaborative environment within operations, competitive environment within the supply base and to make sourcing decisions based on total cost of ownership considerations.
Responsibilities:
- Collaborate directly with sales, production, purchasing, and planning teams to analyze forecasts, sales demand, and historical usage, optimizing production schedules and inventory levels.
- Efficiently manage and schedule Work Orders to align with the production line's capacity.
- Liaise with manufacturing teams to ensure strict adherence to the production schedule.
- Develop and maintain production schedules through Work Orders, meeting customer demands while considering available resources and production capacity.
- Regularly review and adjust schedules based on evolving priorities, resource constraints, and production performance.
- Coordinate incoming materials to meet demand, issuing purchase orders, expediting, and managing reschedule messages to minimize inventory and maximize production flexibility.
- Develop procurement strategies that reduce costs, accommodate lead times, and align with market trends while meeting development and production schedules.
- Identify potential supply chain risks and devise contingency plans to mitigate disruptions.
- Maintain accurate procurement records, including pricing, lead times, and supplier performance.
- Prepare, analyze, and make sourcing selections consistent with commodity strategy and contract requirements.
- Evaluate and maintain MRP for assigned items, ensuring system validity and integrity.
- Communicate with suppliers to monitor purchase order delivery, shipment tracking, and address any short or late shipments.
- Negotiate and mitigate price increases, expedite fees, and cancellation costs.
- Support the execution of commercial agreements to achieve the lowest total cost, including terms to mitigate economic and currency fluctuations.
- Participate in cross-functional teams dedicated to improving supplier performance, implementing corrective actions, and driving continuous improvement through the supply base.
- Act as a conduit between suppliers and nLIGHT personnel to resolve delivery, quality, and/or technical issues.
- Manage the disposition of rejected, excess, and obsolete parts in accordance with company policy.
- Coordinate the resolution of invoice discrepancies.
- Present sourcing options and recommendations to internal customers.
- Prioritize timely achievement of goals and objectives, aiming to improve internal and external customer satisfaction.
- Ensure compliance with Supply Chain, Planning, and Purchasing procedures.
- Demonstrate teamwork and adhere to nLIGHT Leadership Principles, driving continuous improvement activities related to change management.
- Uphold nLIGHT Leadership Principles, drive continuous improvement, and contribute to achieving company goals while prioritizing customer satisfaction.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in supply chain, manufacturing operations, business administration, engineering or operations management or 2 to 7 years of equivalent experience.
- 3+ years of experience in purchasing, buying, and/or supply chain management.
- Knowledge of FAR/ DFAR acquisition procedures and requirements is a plus
- Works positively in a high-energy and fast-paced environment.
- Self-driven, analytical, results oriented, and motivated to work effectively without direct supervision.
- Communicates quickly and thoughtfully through integrated team structures.
- Strong interpersonal skills with a best-in-class customer service mindset.
- Expertise using software like Excel to perform data analysis.
- Ability to read technical drawings and documents.
- Ability to logically solve problems and to keep projects moving in an orderly and structured fashion to maintain schedule requirements by analyzing inputs from various sources.
- Strong organization skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks.
- Effective interpersonal and negotiation skills.
- Ability to make decisions and solve practical problems with a variety of variables in situations where standardization may be limited.
- Has a working knowledge of an ERP/MRP environment and Purchasing Best Practices.
- D365 experience is a plus.
- Familiarity with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)
nLIGHT is proud to offer comprehensive COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay rate is based on qualifications
- Buyer/Planner I - $25.00 to $30.00 per hour
- Buyer/Planner II - $31.00 to $38.00 per hour
Other Compensation and Benefits
- Target Cash Bonus with potential payout of up to 2% of earned wages
- 120 hours of paid Vacation per year, plus paid Sick Leave and 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[emailprotected].
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:
|
nLIGHT, Inc.
paid holidays, sick time, tuition assistance, 401(k)
Aug 05, 2025