Primary Function of Position
This manager position has responsibility for efficient material planning practices for purchased component materials; including the implementation of engineering change orders (ECO) and factory moves with respect to supply chain and inventory performance. Work scope includes oversight to supply chain processes and tools used to govern component material attribute data, evaluate the impact(s) of engineering change orders, line moves and plant expansions that can include: lead time changes, supplier delivery quota changes, inventory cut-over/transition plans (including rework, use-up and scrap actions), required material set-up and planning attribute changes in SAP, and alignment of demand schedules and impacts to inventory stocking locations. Role to collaborate with other department functions, including Purchasing, Sourcing, Scheduling, Production Planning, Manufacturing, Engineering, Supplier Engineering, Finance, and Warehouse. Works cross functionally to develop scalable business processes, standards and deliver beneficial performance improvements to the administration of material related changes across Operations.
Additional areas of responsibility include:
Demand and supply planning
- Collaborate with Demand Planning to understand MRP demand and supply needs, balancing against operational goals.
- Plan, schedule, and manage material requirements across multiple demand sources, including production, service, engineering, and re-manufacturing.
- Monitor lead-times and logistics variations to ensure on-time supply.
Technical expertise
- In-depth knowledge of MRP processes, including interaction of material master data such as yield factors, safety stock, and multiple demand sources.
- Evaluate and reduce unactionable MRP exception messages, driving improvements in accuracy and actionability.
Collaboration
- Translate manufacturing process requirements into executable supply plans.
- Identify and resolve system demand and BOM discrepancies.
- Coordinate Engineering Change Order (ECO) implementation with minimal inventory obsolescence.
- Work fluidly with Planning, Manufacturing, Product Development, Procurement, Finance, and Logistics teams.
- Partner with Material Program Managers and Logistics to ensure correct quantities at the right time, avoiding production line impact.
Inventory and ERP management
- Implement systematic solutions to manage inventory mix, minimize shortages, and maintain ERP accuracy.
- Influence material planning and inventory management policies based on ECO and production location changes.
Reporting and metrics
- Develop and utilize reporting tools to track ECOs, line moves, and plant expansions impacting material supply.
- Refine metrics to monitor production readiness and summarize execution progress on supply chain action plans.
- Create performance reports to communicate impacts of ECOs and production changes (e.g., cost variances, rework/scrap costs, inventory coverage, supplier spend impacts).
Essential Job Duties
- Actively assesses the population of engineering change orders which have material change impacts and production line changes. Includes evaluation of potential supply continuity and excess or obsolete material risks. Ensures reviewers from Global Supply Chain (Purchasing) are adequately completing planning tasks and approvals where applicable.
- Leads activities specific to the use and maintenance of readiness tools to evaluate supply chain related impacts as well as how task completion is recorded to engineering change orders and production line start up plans.
- Creates standards and policy framework for different material change scenarios. Leads development and delivery of training programs of created standards and tools with end users.
- Develops and manages Supply Chain Specialists who mentor and work with individual buyers toward determining and executing specific action plans related to component material(s), engineering change orders and production line moves. Position collaborates with Purchasing, Sourcing, and Supplier Engineering leaders to address execution gaps and implement improvements specific to engineering change order processing.
- May independently lead material planning and implementation actions related to significant engineering change orders or production line changes that broadly impact several parts, suppliers, and/or products.
- Able to understand and refine supporting business processes where necessary to support improved efficiency and execution of engineering change order tasks and production line changes.
- Supports and/or may represent Supply Chain in reoccurring inventory performance reviews, which include the evaluation of stock positions resulting from engineering change orders that are above or below targeted levels. Engages with working team to confirm exception and cause coding of specific inventories that exceed policy guidelines.
- Works collaboratively with center of excellence (CoE) leaders to benchmark engineering and production line change implementation work processes. Responsible for developing a process enhancement roadmap that incorporates advanced analytics (intelligence), automation and improved integration with ERP business systems (SAP).
Required Skills and Experience
- Highly proficient in MS Office products and ERP systems.
- Proven abilities to effectively engage with internal colleagues (in a matrixed environment) as well as external stakeholders to achieve intended goals and objectives. Key abilities which include conflict resolution, consensus building, and gaining commitment of stakeholders to achieve results.
- Detailed understanding of material planning, demand scheduling, and supply planning.
- Working knowledge of best practices associated with processing engineering change orders.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks and projects successfully.
- Ability to create and deliver effective presentations.
- Strong analytical capacity and data processing capabilities.
- Project management skills, including a thorough understanding of how to interpret business needs and translating them into operational requirements
- Proven ability to lead, influence, and work well at all levels of an organization and in a cross functional/matrixed environment
- Strong relationship building, customer focus, and facilitation skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group of internal customers and suppliers.
Required Education and Training
- BS degree or equivalent.
- 15+ years of experience in Purchasing, Supplier Management/Sourcing, Production Planning or Master Scheduling as related to direct materials.
- 7+ years of professional history of directly managing high performing teams.
- Multi-plant and/or international work experience
Working Conditions
- ~15% travel to both domestic and international operating sites and suppliers.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Professional experience with medium to large size medical device manufacturing organization.
- Masters level degree in business management, finance or engineering discipline.
- Project management credentials or certifications.
- Experience working within a matrixed management environment.
- Significant experience with core business systems including SAP, Agile.
- Bilingual (Spanish and English) and experience with maquiladora operating structure.
- Certifications: CPSM, CPIM, and/or PMP desired.
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.
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.
