Strategic NPI Buyer

Intuitive • Santa Clara, CA

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

It started with a simple idea: what if surgery could be less invasive and recovery less painful? Nearly 30 years later, that question still fuels everything we do at Intuitive . As a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care , our technologies—like the da Vinci surgical system and Ion —have transformed how care is delivered for millions of patients worldwide. We’re a team of engineers, clinicians, and innovators united by one purpose: to make surgery smarter, safer, and more human. Every day, our work helps care teams perform with greater precision and patients recover faster, improving outcomes around the world. The problems we solve demand creativity, rigor, and collaboration. The work is challenging, but deeply meaningful—because every improvement we make has the potential to change a life. If you’re ready to contribute to something bigger than yourself and help transform the future of healthcare , you’ll find your purpose here. 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 S trategic 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees