Primary Function of the Position This role is a key leadership position in support of and in the development of Intuitive’s new products, with the strategic and tactical responsibility for the supply chain of the products we develop.

Requirements include, providing leadership, program management, strategic sourcing, local and regional sourcing, tactical sourcing and administrative help in the procurement of minimally invasive robotic surgical raw materials and finished products. This key management role will lead the NPI supply chain resources required to help new product introduction (NPI) from initial concept to product release, and stabilization prior to the product transfer to the sustaining purchasing organization.

Essential Job Duties (Specific responsibilities and tasks an individual would be expected to perform in the role. Additional job duties may be determined by functional people manager)

• Select, train, develop, and manage commodity managers, buyers and program managers across various disciplines from R&D procurement through supply chain product launch stabilization
• Create strategies to benefit the company in the near term to 5+ years in the future.
• Lead and support new product cost targets, project milestone dates
• Review and identify suppliers that will be integral in our mission to expanding minimally invasive care to an ever growing population.
• Lead supplier engagements for the organization and our cross functional stakeholders.
• Apply critical skills to identify and employ strategies to effectively meet product and project cost goals, identify supply risk, and evaluate supplier performance.
• Work with cross­ functional teams on the evaluation of suppliers and provide guidance to commodity managers on the effectiveness of current strategies.
• Efforts to continuously improve time to market,  a critical measurement for Intuitive.
• Ability to create flexible processes to help new product requirements, and make effective recommendations using limited information.
• Ensure that optimal inventory levels of commodities are established to meet production launch requirements.
• Meet quick turn requirements for new product development deadlines.
• Speed the entire process including PO placement, supplier delivery performance, cost studies, spend examination, new supplier selection, and cost negotiations is necessary to help time to market.
• Ensure continued compliance to Purchasing SOP’s, DOP’s and SOX requirements.
• Establish and achieve new product Purchasing Departmental Goals.
• Set standards for productivity improvements by effectively deploy process improvement and work standardization.
• Mentor commodity managers, program managers and buyers to successfully perform job tasks and provide ongoing coaching and development.
• Employ supply chain management best practices to secure uninterrupted supply.
• Identify alternatives for “high risk” suppliers that could jeopardize product launch goals.
• Lead and drive contract negotiations and document creation,  provide feedback to development teams regarding effectiveness of new suppliers (risk, cost, delivery, quality). Develop key supplier relationships to effectively launch new products.
• Implement Short­Term Problem Containment and Long­Term Corrective Action for Shortages and other process related issues.
• Oversee supplier new product forecast communication to ensure short and long term visibility is available for supplier capacity and delivery planning.
• Create supply chain strategies with materials team for new products; work with cross functional team to approve new key suppliers.

 

Required Skills and Experience (Specific skills, knowledge, and experience that an individual must possess in order to successfully perform in job)

• Highly proficient in MS Office products and ERP systems, preferably SAP and Agile.
• Working knowledge of Kanban systems and other Lean material handling methods.
• Detailed knowledge of:
  • Supply chain & sourcing strategies
  • material planning, master scheduling and forecasting
  • global and regional manufacturing

Required Education and Training (As applicable - Specific education and training that an individual must possess in order to successfully perform in job)

• Minimum  BS degree or equivalent
• BE, B.Tech, MS  
• 8+ years of experience in purchasing management with emphasis in new product environment for high complexity product.
• 5+ years of management experience with medium size manufacturing organization.

Preferred Skills and Experience (As applicable - Specific skills, knowledge, and experience that are not required to perform the job, but are desirable to have)

• MBA
• BE/B.tech

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.

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.

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. 

This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending on
business need and/or on the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the
candidate’s qualifications, consistent with applicable law.