Buyer / Planner I or II

nLIGHT • Camas, WA

12d • $25 - $38 • Onsite

About The Position

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 one Buyer/Planner 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.

Requirements

• 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)
• 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).

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of FAR/ DFAR acquisition procedures and requirements is a plus
• D365 experience is a plus.

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.

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
• Target Cash Bonus with potential payout of up to 2% of earned wages (depending on level)
• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level