DescriptionSummaryThe 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; mentors and develops junior Buyer/Planners; and drives continuous improvement across planning, purchasing, and ERP disciplines. Success in this role is defined by sustained operational stability, strategic supplier performance, strong cross functional influence, and measurable improvement in planning maturity and resilience.
Key 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
- Sr Buyer/Planner - $90K - $115K annually
Other Compensation and Benefits
- Target Cash Bonus of 5% of earned wages
- Eligible for Restricted Stock Unit grants
- 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year
- 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
nLIGHT is subject to US Export Control regulations. 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).
