NPI Senior Buyer

Exalta Group•Marquette, MI

14d•Onsite

About The Position

EXALTA is seeking a NPI Senior Buyer, where you will lead sourcing and supplier engagement for new product introductions from concept through commercialization. In this role, you’ll partner cross-functionally with engineering, operations, and quality teams to ensure cost-effective, scalable supply solutions that support rapid innovation and market launch. This position is ideal for an experienced strategic procurement professional who thrives in fast-paced environments. This role is in the Integrated OEM Solutions business unit of EXALTA. Company website: exalta.com Position Summary The NPI (New Product Introduction) Senior Buyer is responsible for leading sourcing and supplier management activities for new orthopedic medical device programs from concept through commercialization. This role partners closely with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and Regulatory teams to ensure materials, components, and suppliers are qualified, cost-effective, and capable of supporting product launch timelines and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate combines strong procurement expertise with experience in medical device product development and supplier qualification, ensuring supply chain readiness for successful product launches.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, or related field.
5+ years of procurement, sourcing, or supply chain experience.
3+ years supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) programs.
Experience in medical device, orthopedic, or regulated manufacturing environments strongly preferred. i.e. precision machining, implants, surgical instruments, or medical device components preferred.
Strong understanding of: Supplier qualification processes Medical device quality systems Regulatory requirements (FDA, ISO 13485) Cost modeling and contract negotiation
Experience with ERP/MRP systems and supplier management tools.
Advanced Excel
Strong cross-functional leadership and communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple NPI programs simultaneously.
Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving abilities.
Ability to work in a fast-paced product development environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting orthopedic implants or surgical instrumentation.
Experience with global supplier networks.

Responsibilities

Lead procurement activities supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) programs from design through production ramp.
Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers for orthopedic device components including machined parts, implants, instruments, sterilization services, and packaging.
Develop sourcing strategies aligned with cost, quality, regulatory, and timeline objectives.
Conduct supplier capability assessments and risk evaluations.
Partner with Engineering during design phases to ensure Design for Manufacturing (DFM).
Work closely with Quality and Regulatory teams to ensure suppliers meet medical device regulatory requirements (ISO, FDA, etc.).
Support cross-functional product development teams during stage-gate reviews and NPI program milestones.
Manage supplier onboarding including: Supplier qualification Quality documentation First article inspections
Drive supplier development initiatives to ensure scalability and reliability.
Lead cost negotiations and establish commercial agreements for new suppliers.
Develop and track should-cost models and cost reduction opportunities.
Support BOM cost targets and margin objectives for new products.
Ensure procurement readiness for product launch including: Material availability Safety stock planning Supplier capacity verification
Manage prototype, pilot, and production material procurement.
Identify and mitigate supply chain risks that may impact launch timelines.
Develop procurement processes and tools to support scalable NPI programs.
Track supplier performance metrics including delivery, quality, and responsiveness.
Implement best practices for supplier management in regulated medical device environments.