Sr. Buyer

About the Company

nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading developers of Directed Energy systems, a top modernization priority of the Department of Defense. Our High Energy Laser (HEL) systems, Adaptive Optical (AO) systems, and Acquisition / Pointing / Tracking (APT) solutions address the most challenging deployment needs for the U.S. military and allies. Based in Longmont, Colorado, we are a vertically integrated business leveraging internal capabilities—from semiconductor device through target identification—to deliver high-performance, cost-effective systems. The company continues to invest in capabilities, facilities, and technology to advance leading-edge HEL solutions for the warfighter.

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

About the Role

The Sr. Buyer supports cross-functional teams in strategic sourcing, procurement, and materials management for highly technical categories such as optics and custom manufactured components and assemblies. Responsibilities include coordinating with engineering and program managers to develop strategic category strategies and supplier development plans, as well as executing requisition-to-pay processes for assigned categories.

All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Preference will be given to candidates with an existing clearance. Further information on clearance requirements is available at https://www.dcsa.mil/mc/pv/mbi/gicp/.

Responsibilities

• Execute and monitor purchase orders, maintaining proactive communication with suppliers to track delivery, shipment status, short or late shipments, documentation, delivery, payment issues, or quality issues.
• Evaluate and maintain ERP systems for assigned categories, ensuring system validity and integrity.
• Develop Supplier Development Plans aimed at improving supplier performance in optical and custom manufactured categories.
• Comply with Supply Chain, Accounting, and Purchasing policies and procedures.
• Generate, maintain, and present Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for supplier performance within assigned categories.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in Strategic, Technical Purchasing, and/or Supply Chain Management.
• Experience in Strategic Sourcing and Negotiations, Category Management, Contract Negotiations, Vendor Management and Development, and working within Government Contracting FAR/DFAR requirements.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Manufacturing Operations, Business Administration, Operations Management, or equivalent experience.
• Working knowledge of an ERP/MRP environment; Dynamics 365 experience is a plus.
• Ability to make decisions and solve practical problems with variables in situations where standardization may be limited.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite tools: Excel, PowerPoint, Dynamics, and Power BI.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to interface at all levels.
• Previous government contracting experience preferred.

Core capabilities: Commitment to Excellence, Attention to Detail, Pride in Workmanship, and the ability to manage schedules and priorities with minimal daily direction to meet mid- to long-term objectives.

Pay

$100,000–$140,000 depending on experience.

Benefits

• 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year.
• 11 paid holidays.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Tuition Assistance Program.
• Health (ACA Gold Plan), Vision, and Dental Care—100% employer-paid for employees and 75% for dependents.
• Paid Family Leave, Short- and Long-Term Disability—100% employer-paid.
• Competitive 401k with company match and immediate vesting.