Vice President

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

We are looking for an experienced Vice President of Supply Chain (Purchasing, Logistics and Planning) to oversee our global supply chain operations, supporting both commercial and government program needs. This critical leadership role involves developing and implementing strategies that ensure efficient, cost-effective, strategic and compliant procurement, product planning, and timely delivery of goods. Reporting to the COO, this position requires identifying and applying strategies to scale global procurement systems in line with revenue growth and product complexity. The desired candidate should have a strong engineering background, extensive expertise in global supply chain and operations planning, strong industry experience in sourcing and procurement for government programs, and experience in continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads and oversees all aspects of global supply chain operations, including procurement, inventory management, operations planning, supplier relationships, and logistics.
• Aligns supplier portfolio and supplier relationships to best align with business strategy.
• Drives complex contract negotiations with suppliers and subcontractors, including structuring long-term supply agreements and/or joint development agreements.
• Ensures procurement activities comply with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and other relevant regulations
• Manages contract manufacturers to assure adherence to cost reduction roadmaps and delivery needs.
• Manages logistics and assures compliance with applicable import/export and customs regulations.
• Develops and implements supply, purchasing and operations planning strategies that align with corporate goals and drive cost reduction, inventory management, efficiency, and innovation.
• Drives improvement in key metrics, including inventory turns, material cost, supplier quality, and supplier on-time delivery.
• Manages Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes to ensure alignment between demand forecasts, production capacity, and inventory levels.
• Champions continuous improvement initiatives across the supply chain and operations to enhance performance, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Utilizes quality and process improvement methodologies like Six Sigma, Lean, and Kaizen.
• Collaborates cross-functionally with engineering, finance, legal, and operations teams to support company processes such as product development and delivery, forecasting, and managing flowdowns to subcontractors and other contractual and regulatory obligations.
• Identifies and mitigates supply chain and operational risks, ensuring business continuity and resilience.
• Maintains a high standard of professional knowledge, ethics, and practices when dealing withcustomers, suppliers, peers, subordinates, supervisors, and other key stakeholders of the company.
• Leads, mentors, and develops a high-performing global supply and planning team.
• Provides oversight and guidance by managing employee performance, encouraging ongoing learning and development, conducting annual performance evaluations, and delivering timely feedback and recognition.
• Utilizes data analytics and forecasting tools to drive informed decision-making and proactive planning.
• Fosters a culture of flexible thinking, creative problem-solving, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration or Materials Management is required. MBA or Master’s in Industrial Engineering/Operations Research is preferred.
• Certification in supply chain or operations planning (e.g., CSCP, CPSM, CPIM) preferred.
• Minimum of 20 years of progressive experience in supply chain and operations planning, with at least 10 years in a senior leadership role.
• Strong understanding of and prior experience with US Government regulations (FAR and DFARS) governing procurement requirements
• Experience with US export control regulations (ITAR and EAR) and applicable customs regulations
• Experience with most contract types (Firm-Fixed Price, Time and Material, Cost Plus, IDIQ)
• Excellent communication (oral, written, and presentation) and interpersonal skills, with theability to effectively communicate ideas in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
• Extensive MRP and planning experience.
• Experience utilizing quality improvement methodologies like Six Sigma, Lean, and Kaizen.
• Demonstrated experience managing global supply chains and integrated planning in complex, fast-paced environments.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including strong influence management across organizational boundaries
• Broad international sourcing experience.
• Familiarity with ERP systems, advanced planning systems (APS), and supply chain analytics tools.
• Experience with inventory management, warehouse management and logistics.
• Experience in regulated industries (e.g., aerospace, defense, healthcare).
• Experience supporting DCMA Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR) events
• Familiarity with small business subcontracting requirement
• Demonstrated ability to drive costs down while nurturing strong supplier relationships.
• Proven success in driving cost reduction, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and negotiation skills.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, matrixed organization and adapt to quickly changing priorities.
• Experience managing contract manufacturers

nLIGHT is proud to offer comprehensive COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Starting pay depends on qualifications:

• Vice President of Supply Chain: $185,000 - $220,000 annually plus bonus and equity

Other Compensation and Benefits

• Target Cash Bonus of 20% of your wages
• Equity package consisting of time-based and performance-based 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
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting
• Company paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, and Life & AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Aflac Supplemental Insurance
• Paid Bereavement Leave and Jury Duty
• Tuition Assistance Program
• 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).

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 (360) 566-4460 or .

E-Verify Participation:
nLIGHT participates in the E-Verify program. This employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

For more information, please review the following notices:

• E-Verify Participation Poster

• Right to Work Poster