Senior Buyer New Products Purchasing at Intuitive Surgical, Inc. in Sunnyvale, California

Job Description:

At Intuitive, 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. Our mission is our guiding force; our culture is the DNA that makes us unique.

As a pioneer in robotic-assisted surgery (RAS), we have been expanding our innovations through technology to help make a difference in the world. For 25 years, human ingenuity has guided our journey to help solve some of healthcare's complex challenges.

We believe a great idea can come from anywhere-inclusion and mutual respect are vital to our culture. We value character grounded in integrity, a strong capacity to learn, the energy to get things done, and diverse 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 strive to 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 help to advance the world of minimally invasive care.

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.

Skill/Job Requirements:

• Minimum 10-12 years of 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 perform repetitive computer data entry and place phone calls for 50+% of the workday.
• Ability to walk across the factory, move materials, lift packages up to 35 lbs., and read and have a basic understanding of engineering drawings.

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.

Shift : Shift 1 - Day

Travel : Yes, 10 % of the Time

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