Buyer/Planner I or II

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).
Position Summary
The 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 Buyer/Planner solves systemic planning, scheduling, and material issues; defines and governs planning standards; and drives continuous improvement across planning, purchasing, and ERP disciplines.

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 (depending on level)
Bachelor's degree in supply chain, manufacturing operations, business administration, engineering or operations management and 1 or more years of experience in purchasing, buying, and/or supply chain management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
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 - $26.16 to $34.00 per hour
Buyer/Planner II - $29.30 to $39.60 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