NPI Buyer/Planner

Figureai; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Figureai seeks an NPI Buyer/Planner to own material readiness from prototyping through mass production. You will convert evolving BOMs into time-phased requirements, coordinate with Design Engineering, NPI, Manufacturing, and Global Supply Chain to keep pilot builds clear-to-build.

This hands-on role blends tactical purchasing, prototype planning, and cross-functional firefighting, including managing RFQ-to-PO cycles, handling long-lead parts, and ensuring ERP data accuracy as parts mature.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years in buying, planning, or materials management with at least 2 years supporting NPI or prototype builds.
• Experience buying against immature BOMs and managing engineering change during a live build.
• Background in complex electromechanical hardware—robotics, aerospace, medical devices, automotive, or consumer electronics.

Responsibilities

• Convert engineering build plans into time-phased material requirements for EVT/DVT/PVT and pilot builds.
• Own the RFQ-to-PO cycle for prototype and pilot material; place POs and track ETAs.
• Identify long-lead and single-source parts early and drive risk-buy or bridge-buy decisions.
• Maintain item master, lead times, and cost data for transition to ERP as parts mature to production.
• Hand off part history, supplier commitments, lead times, and planning parameters to production planning at ramp.
• Improve build-readiness reporting and cross-functional handoffs to mitigate risks early.

Skills

NPI planning

ERP/MRP systems

PLM tools

Advanced Excel

SQL

BOM reading

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Arena

Enovia

SAP

Oracle

NetSuite

Job description

As the NPI Buyer/Planner, you own material readiness for new product introduction PCBAs and components. From early prototypes through mass production, EVT/DVT, as well as the handoff to mass production stakeholders. You sit between Engineering and the Supply Chain teams, converting and assessing immature BOMs and shifting build schedules into placed POs, committed dates, and kitted builds that land on time.

This role is equal parts tactical buying, prototype planning, and cross-functional firefighting. You will work daily with Design Engineering, NPI, Manufacturing, Global Supply Chain, Quality, and Logistics teams to ensure pilot builds are clear-to-build in an environment where the design changes rapidly without notice.

Key Responsibilities

NPI Material Planning

• Convert engineering build plans and prototype schedules into time-phased material requirements for EVT/DVT/PVT and pilot builds.
• Plan against incomplete and rapidly changing BOMs; run BOM scrubs with Engineering to close gaps on part numbers, revisions, quantities, and reference designators before they become shortages.
• Identify long-lead and single-source parts early and drive risk-buy or bridge-buy decisions with Global Supply Managers.
• Build and maintain the NPI shortage list; publish clear-to-build status and recovery dates for each build event.
• Plan for build-specific overages using historical program data including attrition, engineering consumption, test consumption, and reliability samples.

Tactical Purchasing

• Own the RFQ-to-PO cycle for prototype and pilot material: request quotes, place POs, confirm acknowledgements, and track ETAs to dock.
• Expedite and de-expedite based on schedule movement; accelerate or de-accelerate based on schedule movement.
• Manage buys against unreleased or non-standard parts, including drop-in samples, distributor spot buys, and broker sourcing when authorized.
• Reconcile pricing, MOQs, NRE, and tooling charges; flag cost drivers ahead of production quoting.

Change and Configuration Management

• Own material disposition for NPI Program(s) ECOs and deviations: scrap, rework, use-as-is, or run-out.
• Maintain accurate item master for BOMs, CTB/planning trackers, and lead times as well as cost in defined tools for transition into ERP as parts mature from prototype to production status.

Build Execution Support

• Partner with GSMs on consignment materials required for each build.
• Maintain inventory accuracy for NPI stock at quick turn suppliers, including reconciliation of Figure-consigned material.

Transition to Production

• Hand off part-level history, supplier commitments, lead times, and planning parameters to the production planning team at ramp.
• Feed EAU forecasts and demand signals to Global Supply Management to support supplier capacity and long-term agreements.

Process Improvement

• Identify recurring failure points in the NPI material flow and implement fixes to reporting, planning, and cross-functional handoffs.
• Improve the fidelity of build-readiness reporting so risks are mitigated early.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field or applicable industry experience for the role.

Experience

• 3-5 years in buying, planning, or materials management, with at least 2 years supporting NPI or prototype builds.
• Background in complex electromechanical hardware - robotics, aerospace, medical devices, automotive, or consumer electronics.
• Direct experience buying against immature BOMs and managing engineering change in a live build.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, or NetSuite) and PLM tools (Arena, Enovia, etc).
• Advanced Excel (XLOOKUP, pivot tables, shortage and coverage modeling); SQL or BI tooling a plus.
• Working fluency in reading BOMs; comfortable discussing tolerances, finishes, and component specs with engineers.

Core Competencies

• High urgency and strong follow-through: you have the ability close loops without being asked twice.
• Comfort operating with incomplete information and changing priorities.
• Clear, direct communication with engineers and suppliers alike; able to translate a slipped ETA into schedule impact leadership can act on.
• Strong attention to detail on revisions, dates, and quantities – this is a role where a single missed line item stops a build.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is between $120,000 - $180,000 annually. The pay offered for this position may vary based on several individual factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package may also include additional components/benefits depending on the specific role. This information will be shared if an employment offer is extended.