Sr. Buyer

nLIGHT • Longmont, CO

44d • $100,000 - $140,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Sr. Buyer supports cross-functional teams in strategic sourcing, procurement, and materials management for highly technical categories, including optics, electronics, and custom-manufactured components and assemblies. In coordination with Category Managers, Engineering, and Program Managers, the role develops strategic purchasing and materials-management flow strategies, manages supplier performance and development plans, and executes requisition-to-pay processes for assigned categories. The position also manages complex government subcontracts and high-value purchase orders, supports price and cost analysis, and ensures procurement practices meet regulatory, contractual, and company requirements.

The role is onsite in Longmont, Colorado. Applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. Department of Defense personnel security clearance; preference is given to candidates who already hold one. Compensation is $100,000–$140,000, based on education and experience.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of experience in purchasing and/or supply chain; the posting also specifies strategic or technical purchasing and/or supply chain management experience.
• Prior government contracting experience and experience in the high-tech government-contracting industry.
• Experience supporting Department of Defense, aerospace, or government-funded programs.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Manufacturing Operations, Business Administration, Operations Management, or equivalent experience.
• Exposure to Contractor Purchasing System Reviews (CPSR), the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), customer audits, or other regulatory reviews.
• Advanced analytical capability, including expert use of Excel for data analysis and decision support.
• Must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD personnel security clearance.
• Commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and pride in workmanship.

Nice To Haves

• Existing U.S. DoD personnel security clearance.
• Familiarity with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
• Ability to manage schedules and priorities with minimal daily direction while meeting mid-to-term objectives.
• Experience negotiating long-term supplier agreements, strategic sourcing initiatives, and cost-reduction programs.
• Ability to interface at all levels, with excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience working within AS9100, ISO 9001, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
• Experience supporting proposal activities, fact-finding efforts, Requests for Information (RFIs), and compliance-driven procurement activities.

Responsibilities

• Execute and monitor purchase orders, proactively communicating with suppliers about delivery, shipment tracking, short or late shipments, documentation, payment, and quality issues.
• Manage complex government subcontracts and high-value, complex purchase orders.
• Evaluate and maintain the ERP system to ensure its validity and integrity.
• Support price and cost analysis of subcontractor proposals in alignment with sector policies and regulatory requirements.
• Train and mentor Associate Buyer/Planner and Buyer/Planner I/II team members on D365, work-order discipline, and planning and purchasing methodologies.
• Comply with Supply Chain, Accounting, and Purchasing policies and procedures.
• Generate, maintain, and present supplier-performance KPIs for assigned categories.
• Administer complex subcontracts and purchase orders in compliance with FAR, DFARS, customer contract requirements, and company policies.
• Review customer contracts and ensure appropriate contractual flowdown requirements are incorporated into supplier purchase orders and subcontracts.
• Perform and document price analyses, sole-source justifications, and procurement-file documentation in support of CPSR-compliant purchasing practices.
• Participate in supplier negotiations involving pricing, delivery, terms and conditions, intellectual property, and other contractual requirements.
• Collaborate with Contracts, Program Management, Engineering, and Quality teams to resolve subcontract performance, compliance, and delivery issues.

Benefits

• Four weeks of paid time off per year.
• 11 paid holidays.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Tuition Assistance Program.
• Health coverage (ACA Gold Plan), vision care, and dental care paid 100% for employees and 75% for dependents.
• Paid family leave.
• Short- and long-term disability paid 100% by the employer.
• Competitive 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting.

What This Job Offers

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