NPD Materials Specialist

Smith & Nephew•Oklahoma City, OK

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Smith+Nephew is seeking an experienced NPD Materials Specialist to ensure material readiness for new product introductions and successful product launches. The role connects New Product Development Procurement with Manufacturing Operations and supports the transition from product development to full-scale production. The position works across global teams, suppliers, procurement, planning, and operations to help new products launch successfully and reach customers on time. The specialist owns material readiness activities throughout development builds, validation builds, pilot runs, launches, and production ramp-up. Responsibilities include maintaining Plans for Every Part (PFEPs), coordinating material availability, managing temporary purchasing before SAP processes are established, supporting procurement master data setup, and transitioning purchasing activities into standard SAP processes. The role also supports supplier handoffs and launch stabilization to help maintain supply continuity. This position does not offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future.

Requirements

At least 3 years of experience in procurement, purchasing, material planning, supply chain operations, manufacturing support, or expediting.
Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency.
Strong understanding of procurement, materials management, and supplier operations.
Ability to interpret and manage Bills of Material and product structures.
Excellent organizational and project coordination skills.
Strong communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Detail-oriented, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
Proactive problem-solving skills and ability to mitigate supply risks before they affect the business.

Nice To Haves

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, Operations, or a related field.
Experience supporting New Product Introductions (NPI/NPD) or product launch activities.
Experience working with Bills of Material (BOMs), forecasts, and supplier master data.
Experience with SAP, Ariba, or other ERP systems.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain Plans for Every Part (PFEPs) across multiple NPD projects, including BOM structures, supplier information, forecasts, pricing, lead times, and delivery status.
Coordinate material readiness for validation builds, pilot runs, and product launches.
Manage temporary purchasing activities before SAP purchasing processes are established.
Expedite supplier deliveries to meet project milestones and launch timelines.
Track and maintain open orders, shortages, and delivery performance reports.
Support SAP procurement master data setup for product launches.
Assist in transitioning temporary purchasing activities into standard SAP purchasing processes.
Partner with NPD Procurement Engineers, planning teams, buyer/planners, and suppliers to resolve supply risks and material issues.
Lead the formal handoff of suppliers, forecasts, purchase orders, and PFEP data to the manufacturing Buyer/Planner organization.
Support launch stabilization activities to ensure uninterrupted supply during production ramp-up.