Manager, NPI/Project Procurement

Primary Function of Position:

The Manager NPI/Project Procurement owns the sourcing strategy, supplier selection, and supplier capability development for new components and technologies introduced through product development (NPI) programs. The role ensures competitive cost structures, supply continuity, manufacturability alignment, and supplier readiness throughout concept, prototype, validation and ramp-to-production phases.
This position leads a team of two Project Buyers and works closely with Engineering, Supplier Quality, Planning, and Category Strategy teams.

Roles and Responsibilities:

NPI Procurement & Supplier Strategy

• Owns procurement deliverables for assigned NPI project(s) and ensures materials availability for prototype, validation and pilot builds.
• Drives supplier selection for new components; collaborates closely with Design Engineering, Supplier Quality, and Strategic Sourcing to ensure manufacturability, technology readiness, and commercial competitiveness.
• Leads RFQ processes, cost breakdown analysis, TCO evaluations, and commercial comparison to enable fact-based supplier decisions.
• Ensures alignment of supplier selection and NPI sourcing strategy with long-term category strategy and global sourcing roadmap.

Cross-Functional Program Leadership

• Represents NPI Procurement in cross-functional NPI program teams and ensures that procurement milestones are hit according to program timelines.
• Guides Engineering teams on supply market availability, manufacturability, lead times, cost targets and design-to-cost principles.
• Provides proactive visibility of risks, constraints, cost trends, manufacturability trade-offs, and second-source options.

Capacity & Ramp-Up Planning

• Partners with Supplier Engineering to assess supplier capacity readiness for prototypes, validation builds, and production launch.
• Conducts capacity assessments and ensures early mitigation of constraints.
• Supports implementation of part qualification requirements with stakeholders.

Cost Management & Commercial Execution

• Defines and executes cost target plans for new components and assemblies.
• Conducts TCO analyses and supports DFM/DFX activities to optimize cost through early engineering design choices.
• Supports commercial negotiations for prototypes, tooling/NRE, pilot builds, and ramp-up pricing agreements.
• Ensures competitiveness and cost transparency from development through production.

Risk Mitigation & Supplier Capability Development

• Identifies sourcing risks (single-source, technology constraints, capacity, geopolitical, regulatory) and executes mitigation plans.
• Drives supplier capability improvements aligned with long-term needs, including manufacturability, scalability, and regulatory readiness.

Operational Management

• Ensures material availability for development builds; mitigates shortages through proactive planning and escalation where needed.
• Ensures accurate procurement and supplier master data for NPI parts.
• Coordinates change orders and configuration updates for critical components.
• Ensures smooth handover from NPI sourcing into Production/Category Management teams when supply stability has achieved.

Team Leadership

• Leads and develops a team of two Project Buyers; provides coaching, prioritization and workload balancing.
• Drives continuous improvement of sourcing processes, templates, and supplier readiness methodologies.
• Acts as escalation point within the procurement portion of NPI programs.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• BS degree or equivalent in Supply Chain, Procurement, Mechanical/Industrial Engineering or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 7+ years’ experience in Procurement, Sourcing, or Supply Chain within a regulated manufacturing environment (MedTech, Aerospace, Automotive or similar).
• Demonstrated experience in NPI procurement, supplier selection, and ramp-to-production.
• Strong knowledge of sourcing principles, cost modelling, commercial negotiations, and supplier management.
• Track record of leading cross-functional sourcing activities within fast-paced project environments.
• Ability to read and interpret engineered drawings and manufacturing processes (GD&T preferred).
• Strong analytical skills, data-driven decision making and deep Excel proficiency.
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle or equivalent).
• Familiarity with controlled manufacturing processes and regulatory requirements (ISO 13485 or comparable standards).
• Experience with NPI qualification processes (prototype → validation → pilot → production) including supplier qualification/PPAP.
• Understanding of TCO modeling, DFM/DFX principles and value engineering approaches.
• Experience managing supplier capability improvements and capacity expansions.
• Hybrid work environment with domestic and international supplier travel when required (10–20% typical).
• High interaction with Engineering, Strategic Sourcing, Supplier Quality, and Operations.
• Business fluent language skills in German and Englich

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Haftungsausschluss für US-Exportkontrollen: In Übereinstimmung mit den U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR §743.13(b)) können einige Positionen bei Intuitive Surgical US-Exportkontrollen für potenzielle Mitarbeiter unterliegen, die Staatsangehörige von Ländern sind, die derzeit einen Embargo- oder Sanktionsstatus haben.

Bestimmte Informationen, die Sie im Rahmen der Bewerbung angeben, werden verwendet, um festzustellen, ob Intuitive Surgical (i) in Ihrem Namen eine Exportlizenz von der US-Regierung einholen muss (Hinweis: Das Lizenzierungsverfahren der Regierung kann 3 bis 6+ Monate dauern) oder (ii) einen Technologiekontrollplan ("TCP") implementieren muss (Hinweis: verlängert den Einstellungsprozess in der Regel um 2 Wochen). 

Für jede intuitive Rolle, die Exportkontrollen unterliegt, hängen die endgültigen Angebote vom Erhalt einer genehmigten Exportlizenz und/oder eines ausgeführten TCP vor dem Startdatum des potenziellen Mitarbeiters ab, was flexibel sein kann oder auch nicht, und innerhalb eines Zeitrahmens, der den Einstellungsbedarf nicht unangemessen behindert. Gegebenenfalls werden die Kandidaten über die diesbezüglichen Anforderungen informiert und angewiesen