Senior Buyer - NPI Sourcing

Intuitive; California (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive is seeking an experienced Supply Chain professional to lead procurement for new product introductions. You will partner with engineering and Strategic Sourcing to ensure on-time material availability for ramp-up, develop new supplier sources, and manage cost models for complex NPI programs.

The role requires strong Excel, ERP/SAP experience, and excellent communication to coordinate across engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 10–12 years in supply chain with NPI/R&D/engineering experience.
• BS in business, mechanical or electrical engineering or equivalent.
• Advanced Excel, Word, PowerPoint and ERP systems (SAP).
• Experience with prototype parts procurement, pilot activities and production launches.
• Strong communication, change management and supplier negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Forecasts and planning to maintain optimal inventory for ramp-up.
• Apply NPI purchasing experience to minimize run times and ensure on-time delivery.
• Collaborate with engineering to develop efficient fabrication processes.
• Identify second sources for critical components.
• Continuous improvement of current systems and processes.
• Identify and qualify new supplier resources with Strategic Sourcing.
• Address capacity issues with Strategic Sourcing to protect schedules.
• Create and publish project material cost models.
• Resolve delivery, supplier performance, quality or cost issues.
• Maintain accuracy of reports, POs, BOMs with engineering/PC.

Skills

NPI purchasing

Supplier development

ERP SAP

Agile

Excel

MS Office

Change management

Communication

Engineering liaison

Prototype parts procurement

Cost negotiation

Reading engineering drawings

Education

BS in business, mechanical or electrical engineering

Tools

SAP

Agile

Job description

It started with a simple idea: what if surgery could be less invasive and recovery less painful? Nearly 30 years later, that question still fuels everything we do at Intuitive. As a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care, our technologies—like the da Vinci surgical system and Ion—have transformed how care is delivered for millions of patients worldwide.

We’re a team of engineers, clinicians, and innovators united by one purpose: to make surgery smarter, safer, and more human. Every day, our work helps care teams perform with greater precision and patients recover faster, improving outcomes around the world.

The problems we solve demand creativity, rigor, and collaboration. The work is challenging, but deeply meaningful—because every improvement we make has the potential to change a life.

If you’re ready to contribute to something bigger than yourself and help transform the future of healthcare, you’ll find your purpose here.

Primary Function of Position:

Accountable for procuring materials, components, and equipment in of new product introduction. Gathers quotations, knows key supplier capabilities and matches those capabilities to new designs and project schedules. Tracks and updates orders, delivery commitments and inventory receipts both inside and outside of MRP. Insures adequate supply in place for production ramp-up of new products. Works in partnership with Strategic Sourcing to ensure the appropriate supplier strategy is utilized for new product release and scale up to production.

Establish material requirements from engineering, new product build schedules, and maintains inventory at planned levels. Evaluates supplier reliability and works with Supplier Development Engineering and Strategic Sourcing to develop new supply sources as needed. Monitors cost, schedule, and scope of assigned new products and projects. Insures materials availability for production release in time to meet project schedules. Works as a key member of a high performance team.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Uses developed forecasts and proper planning techniques to ensure that optimal inventory levels are available to meet engineering and production ramp up requirements.
• Applies extensive new product introduction/R&D purchasing experience to minimize material run times and insure on time delivery of material to provided help with NPI project schedules.
• Works with engineering to assist suppliers in developing efficient fabrication processes.
• Identifies second sources for critical components as necessary
• Participates in the continuous improvement of current systems and processes.
• Works with Strategic Sourcing to identify and qualify new supplier resources.
• Identifies potential supplier capacity issues and works in conjunction with Strategic Sourcing to resolve these issues and insure no impact to project schedules.
• Creates, updates, and publishes project material cost models.
• Quickly and proactively, resolves and/or escalates issues related to delivery, supplier performance, quality or cost.
• Insures and maintains accuracy of all applicable reports, purchase orders, component item master information, etc. Work with engineering and production control to insure BOMs are accurate and will function in a production environment.
• Provides direction and/or effectively delegate critical tasks as needed. Be a functional, productive member of a high performance team.

Qualifications

Skill/Job Requirements:

• 10-12 years experience in supply chain management of which a minimum with specific expertise in new product introduction (NPI), R&D and/or engineering environments with a demonstrated successful track record of increasing responsibility.
• Minimum BS in business, mechanical or electrical engineering or equivalent education/experience.
• Must have significant computer experience using Windows, Word, Excel (advanced skills preferred) and ERP Information Systems, preferably SAP and Agile.
• MS Office skills ( MS Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Excel (Vlookups, Pivot Tables, Charts, and filtering)
• Experience working with engineers and manufacturing resources for prototype parts procurement, pilot activities and production launch of new products.
• Ability to enjoy and work effectively in a fast paced, chaotic environment of constant change. Ability to manage change quickly and gracefully.
• Experience with and a functional knowledge of the manufacturing processes utilized by the suppliers of mechanical components (precision machining, sheet metal, plastic injection molding and other plastics processes, etc), contract manufacturing, OEM, cables, PCA, etc.
• Familiar with project management techniques for new product introduction.
• ECO implementation experience required.
• Familiarity with contract and cost negotiation techniques.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills a must. Ability to communicate at both high (strategic) and detailed (tactical) levels and the ability to know when one or the other is appropriate. Diplomacy and “grace under fire” a must.
• Detail oriented with demonstrated ability to proactively follow-up on areas of responsibility in a timely manner.
• Ability to perform repetitive computer data entry and place phone calls for 50+% of the workday.
• Ability to move across the factory, move materials, transfer packages up to 35 lbs., and read and have a basic knowledge of engineering drawings.

Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19. Details can vary by role.

Intuitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer.We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.

U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer:In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR §743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employeeswho are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.

Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the government’s licensing process can take 3 to 6+ months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan (“TCP”) (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).

For any Intuitive role subject to export controls, final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employee’sstart date, which may or may not be flexible, and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable, candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates who do not reside, or plan to reside, in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Tennessee.

This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending
business need and/or on the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the
candidate’s qualifications, consistent with applicable law.

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, benefits, and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role, as actual pay will be determined based on several factors, including experience, skills, and qualifications. The target compensation ranges are listed.