Strategic NPI Buyer

Primary Function of Position

The Senior Strategic NPI Buyer, New Products Supply Chain, will support the introduction and launch of new products by managing supply chain activities from concept to commercialization. This role collaborates cross-functionally with R&D, manufacturing, procurement, logistics, and commercial teams to ensure successful product launches and optimize supply chain processes for new product development.

Moreover, ISI is looking for the Strategic NPI Buyer who has owned complex supply chain problems, identified risks early, and taken accountability rather than escalating issues away. You can clearly explain why decisions were made.  You understand supplier capabilities, sourcing strategy, and risk, especially in new product introduction environments. You are comfortable influencing engineering, sourcing, and manufacturing without direct authority. Most importantly, you can demonstrate ownership, judgment, and leadership, not just years of experience, or operational or familiarity with tools.

This role will manage procurement of direct materials and strategic sourcing initiatives to support new product introduction. Requires knowledge of key supplier capabilities and matches the capabilities to new product design. Track and manage purchase orders, delivery commitments to support ramp up of new products. Work closely with strategic sourcing and engineering to ensure that the appropriate supplier strategy is implemented for new product release and production ramp. Evaluates supplier capabilities and works with supplier engineering and strategic sourcing to develop new supply sources as needed. Monitors cost, capacity, and delivery schedule to ensure availability of material for production.

Key Responsibilities

• Supply Chain Execution: Manage procurement of direct materials and coordinate strategic sourcing initiatives to support New Product Introductions (NPI). Effectively track and manage purchase orders, delivery commitments, and ramp-up timelines for new products.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with engineering, strategic sourcing, and supplier engineering teams to align supplier capabilities with product design and commercialization objectives.

• Inventory & Production Planning: Establish component and material requirements based on engineering inputs and new product build schedules. Maintain optimal inventory levels for production continuity.

• Supplier Management: Evaluate, develop, and optimize supplier capabilities. Expand supply sources as necessary in collaboration with strategic sourcing and supplier engineering.

• Performance Monitoring: Monitor cost, capacity, and delivery schedules to ensure on-time availability of materials for production. Track purchase price variances and contribute to cost reduction initiatives.

• Risk & Change Management: Support risk identification and mitigation utilizing SCRM tools; manage supplier involvement in engineering change orders to minimize disruptions.

• Supplier Performance & Quoting: Prepare supplier scorecards, participate in supplier business reviews, and lead quoting activities to drive supply chain optimization.

• Market Research: Conduct market research to identify and qualify appropriate suppliers for various commodities and manufacturing processes.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree (BS) or equivalent in supply chain, business, engineering, or related field.

• Experience: 5+ years of NPI purchasing and supply chain experience in a regulated manufacturing environment (medical device industry preferred).

• Technical Skills: Proficient in MS Office (Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel including VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, Charts), ERP systems (preferably SAP, Agile), and BOM structures.

• Supply Chain Knowledge: Hands-on experience in strategic buying, material planning, master scheduling, and demand forecasting.

• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and achieve challenging objectives in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Interpersonal Skills: Strong influencing skills without direct authority; proven ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams.

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to deliver information at both strategic and tactical levels.

• Experience in medical devices or other highly regulated manufacturing industries.

• Advanced knowledge of supplier development, strategic sourcing, and new product introduction processes.

• Familiarity with SCRM (Supply Chain Risk Management) tools and supplier quality systems.

• APICS or similar supply chain certification.

Travel & Onsite Requirements: Willingness to travel at least 25% (domestic & international); onsite presence required 3 days per week.

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.

Mandatory Notices

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 employees
who 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’s
start 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 on
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.