Sr. Category Manager - Precision Optics

Location: Longmont, CO (onsite)

Experience: 10+ years of progressive sourcing or category management experience, or equivalent related experience

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, or related discipline

Compensation: $100,000-$150,000 based on experience

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).

The Senior Category Manager provides strategic leadership across the following precision optics categories – optical coatings, large optics manufacturing and complex lens arrays. The Senior Category Manager shapes long-term sourcing direction, supplier portfolio governance, enterprise risk mitigation, and sourcing transformation initiatives aligned with corporate growth and compliance requirements. Senior Category Manager will work closely with, and actively support, the Design Engineers as the Design Engineer and Senior Category Manager jointly select, on-board and then work through creating active partnerships with suppliers - from concept through design to production deliveries.

The Senior Category Manager will take primary responsibility for any/all commercial and operational discussions with suppliers.

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://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Please review this information before applying.

• Defines and executes global, long-term category and supplier portfolio strategies aligned with corporate growth plans and technology evolution.
• Develops comprehensive portfolio strategies that shape the organization's supplier base architecture across multiple categories, geographies, and technology platforms
• Leads executive-level supplier performance reviews and Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) that influence strategic supplier relationships. Conduct high-level supplier governance sessions with executive participation, reviewing strategic alignment, performance against enterprise objectives, and long-term relationship trajectory.
• Negotiates supplier agreements ranging from single transaction to complex, high-value commercial agreements involving multi-year commitments, global capacity planning, and strategic collaboration. Structures sophisticated commercial arrangements that include volume commitments, pricing mechanisms, capacity reservations, technology partnerships, and risk-sharing frameworks.
• Influences make/buy decisions and supplier architecture strategy in partnership with engineering and operations leadership. Provides expert input on supply chain implications, supplier capability landscapes, cost structures, and risk considerations for strategic product and manufacturing decisions.
• Leads multi-category diversification and resilience initiatives to reduce systemic risk exposure. Designs and executes enterprise-wide initiatives that reduce concentration risk across suppliers, geographies, or technologies affecting multiple categories.
• Establishes standardized supplier governance frameworks, including scorecards, Q  structures, and compliance verification protocols.
• Drives sourcing process transformation and participates in digital enablement initiatives. Participate in organization-wide initiatives to modernize sourcing processes, implement advanced analytics capabilities, deploy digital procurement technologies, or restructure sourcing operating models.
• Develops structured contingency and risk mitigation plans for high-impact supplier dependencies. Creates comprehensive business continuity plans for critical supplier relationships that could significantly impact business operations if disrupted.
• Ensures comprehensive compliance governance aligned with FAR, DFARS, ITAR/EAR, and other applicable regulations.
• Leads…