Senior Buyer, NPI Sourcing

Company Description

At Intuitive, we are united behind our mission: we believe that minimally invasive care is life-enhancing care. Through ingenuity and intelligent technology, we expand the potential of physicians to heal without constraints.

As a pioneer and market leader in robotic-assisted surgery, we strive to foster an inclusive and diverse team, committed to making a difference. For more than 25 years, we have worked with hospitals and care teams around the world to help solve some of healthcare's hardest challenges and advance what is possible.

Intuitive has been built by the efforts of great people from diverse backgrounds. We believe great ideas can come from anywhere. We strive to foster an inclusive culture built around diversity of thought and mutual respect. We lead with inclusion and empower our team members to do their best work as their most authentic selves.

Passionate people who want to make a difference drive our culture. Our team members are grounded in integrity, have a strong capacity to learn, the energy to get things done, and bring diverse, real world experiences to help us think in new ways. We actively invest in our team members to support their long-term growth so they can continue to advance our mission and achieve their highest potential.

Join a team committed to taking big leaps forward for a global community of healthcare professionals and their patients. Together, let's advance the world of minimally invasive care.

Job Description

Primary Function of Position:

Responsible for procuring materials, components, and equipment in support of new product introduction. Gathers quotations, understands 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 collaboration with Strategic Sourcing to insure the appropriate supplier strategy is utilized for new product release and scale up to production.

Determines 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 lead times and insure on time delivery of material to support 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 support 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 understanding 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 travel up to 25%.
• Able to read and have a basic understanding of engineering drawings.

Additional Information

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 Employment 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.

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.

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 salary ranges are listed.