NPI/TPI Buyer

Flex; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Flex in Milpitas, CA is seeking an NPI/TPI Buyer 3 to support New Product Introductions and transfers. Reporting to the Supply Chain Manager, you will manage material readiness, supplier engagement and ensure on-time launches.

You will lead RFQs, negotiate with suppliers, review AMLs and first article qualification, and collaborate with engineering, program management and manufacturing to drive cost, quality and delivery.

Qualifications

• Strong procurement, sourcing, negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in purchasing, materials management, supply chain, or related field.
• Experience with NPI/TPI, ECO, and EOL programs is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement activities supporting NPI, TPI, ECO, and EOL programs to ensure material availability and timely milestones.
• Coordinate supplier sourcing, RFQs, quotations, and negotiations while evaluating supplier capabilities, pricing, quality, capacity, and delivery.
• Collaborate with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to manage engineering changes, AMLs, and first article qualification.
• Monitor prototype and pilot material status and drive corrective actions for production readiness.
• Analyze supply chain risks and identify cost reduction opportunities while maintaining accurate supplier data in ERP systems.

Skills

Procurement

Sourcing

Negotiation

Supplier management

Cross-functional collaboration

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain/Business/Engineering

Tools

ERP/MRP

Excel

Job description

Flex is the diversified manufacturing partner of choice that helps market-leading brands design, build and deliver innovative products that improve the world. A career at Flex offers the opportunity to make a difference and invest in your growth in a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative environment.

Flex is the diversified manufacturing partner of choice that helps market-leading brands design, build and deliver innovative products that improve the world.

A career at Flex offers the opportunity to make a difference and invest in your growth in a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative environment.

Job Summary

To support our extraordinary teams who build great products and contribute to our growth, we're looking to add an NPI/TPI Buyer 3 to our Global Procurement & Supply Chain team.

Reporting to the Supply Chain Manager, the NPI/TPI Buyer 3 will play a critical role in managing material readiness and supplier engagement for New Product Introductions (NPI), Transfer Product Introductions (TPI), Engineering Change Orders (ECO), and End-of-Life (EOL) activities. This role offers the opportunity to work cross-functionally with engineering, program management, manufacturing, and suppliers to ensure successful product launches, transfers, and lifecycle management while driving cost, quality, and delivery performance.

What a Typical Day Looks Like

• Lead procurement activities supporting NPI, TPI, ECO, and EOL programs to ensure material availability, cost competitiveness, and timely execution of project milestones.
• Coordinate supplier sourcing, RFQs, quotations, and negotiations while evaluating supplier capabilities, pricing, quality, capacity, and delivery performance.
• Collaborate with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to manage engineering changes, product transfers, approved manufacturer lists (AMLs), and first article qualification activities.
• Monitor prototype and pilot material status, resolve material discrepancies, and drive corrective actions to support successful production readiness.
• Analyze supply chain risks, identify cost reduction opportunities, improve purchase price variance (PPV), and maintain accurate purchasing and supplier data within enterprise systems.

The Experience We're Looking to Add to the Team

• Strong procurement, sourcing, negotiation, and supplier management skills in a manufacturing environment.
• Typically requires a Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of experience in purchasing, materials management, supply chain, or a related field.
• Experience supporting new product introductions, product transfers, engineering changes, and product lifecycle management activities.
• Advanced understanding of procurement processes, supplier qualification, RFQ management, cost analysis, and supply chain operations.
• Ability to read and interpret technical documentation, drawings, bills of materials, and engineering change documentation.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications, including advanced Excel skills.
• Strong communication, analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and project coordination abilities.
• Experience within electronics manufacturing services (EMS) or high-technology manufacturing environments is preferred.

RA28

Flex is an Equal Opportunity Employer and employment selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. We do not discriminate based on: age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, pregnancy status, or any other status protected by law. We're happy to provide reasonable accommodations to those with a disability for assistance in the application process. Please email [e-mail] and we'll discuss your specific situation and next steps.