New

Sr. Buyer

nLIGHT, Inc.
paid time off, paid holidays, long term disability, tuition assistance, 401(k)
United States, Colorado, Longmont
Mar 31, 2026
Description Location:Longmont, CO (onsite) Experience:8+years' experience in Strategic, Technical Purchasing and/or Supply Chain Management. Experience in Strategic Sourcing and Negotiations, Category Management, Contract Negotiations and Develop, Vendor Management and Development, and working within Government Contracting FAR/DFAR requirements. Minimum Education:Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Manufacturing Operations, Business Administration, Operations Management or equivalent experience. Compensation:$100,000-$140,000 depending on experience. Who We Are nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is one of the nation's leading developers of Directed Energy systems, which is 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 are designed to overcome the most difficult challenges facing the deployment of high energy laser solutions to the United States military and our allies. Located in Longmont, Colorado, nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is a vertically integrated business that leverages internal capabilities - from semiconductor device through target identification - to develop systems that are both high-performance and cost-effective. We continue to invest in capabilities, facilities and technology to bring leading edge HEL solutions to the warfighter. This is a great opportunity to work at a company that is on the leading edge of the HEL industry and provides a culture of excellence and commitment to delivering solutions to the warfighter and our country. Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR). Summary: Reporting to the Supply Chain Operations Manager, the Sr. Buyer's primary responsibilities are to support cross-functional team members in the strategic sourcing, procurement and materials management functions of highly technical categories such as optics and custom manufactured components and assemblies. The Sr. Buyer role includes, but is not limited to: coordinating with engineering, and program managers to develop strategic category strategies and supplier development plans. The Sr Buyer will be responsible for executing the requisition to pay processes on 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 U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance.Further information on requirements to obtain a security clearance is available at: https://www.dcsa.mil/mc/pv/mbi/gicp/.Please review this information before applying. Responsibilities: Execute and monitor purchase orders and maintain proactive communication with suppliers to monitor purchase order delivery, shipment tracking, short or late shipments, documentation, delivery, payment issues, or qualities issues. Evaluate and maintain ERP for assigned categories and ensure system validity and integrity. Develop Supplier Development Plans chartered with improving supplier performance across 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. Required Experience / Capability: Commitment to Excellence. Attention to Detail. Pride in Workmanship. Effectively manage schedule and priorities with minimal daily direction to meet mid to long-term objectives. 8+ years' experience in Purchasing and/or Supply Chain. Experience in high-tech industry preferred. Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Manufacturing Operations, Business Administration, Operations Management or equivalent experience. A working knowledge of an ERP/MRP environment. Dynamic 365 experience is a plus Ability to make decisions and solve practical problems with a variety of variables in situations where standardization may be limited. Experience in Microsoft Suite of tools: Excel, PowerPoint, Dynamics, and Power BI Ability to interface at all levels. Excellent communication skills both written and oral. Previous government contracting experience preferred. Benefits Summary: 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 paid by employer 100% for Employee and 75% for Dependents Paid Family Leave, Short and Long Term Disability paid by employer 100% Competitive 401k with company match and immediate vesting 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 [emailprotected] .