Category Manager, NPI Sourcing

and tasks an individual would be expected to perform in the role. Additional job duties may be determined by functional people manager)

• Create and lead strategies to benefit the company in the near term to 5+ years in the future.

• Lead and support the review and identification of suppliers who can provide solutions in support of our mission.

• Lead and support new product cost targets, project milestone dates

• Work and lead cross¬ functional teams on the evaluation of suppliers, supply strategies, supplier capabilities and provide guidance to Category managers and engineers on the effectiveness of current strategies.

• Self-driven & able to independently manage full portfolio inclusive of supply, yield, and technical impacts within the program and able to navigate through tough conversations both internal and external.

• Manage and lead SCRM and capacity analyses.

• Lead cost negotiations, long-term cost savings strategies.

• Lead MSA and contract strategies, negotiations and execution.

• that optimal inventory levels of commodities are established to meet production launch requirements.

• Apply critical skills to identify and employ strategies to effectively meet product and project cost goals, identify supply risk, and evaluate supplier performance.

• Meet quick turn requirements for new product development deadlines.

• Efforts to continuously improve time to market, a critical measurement for Intuitive.

• 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.

• Ability to create flexible processes to help new product requirements and make effective recommendations using limited information.

• Ensure continued compliance to Purchasing SOP’s, DOP’s and SOX requirements.

• Establish and achieve new product Sourcing Departmental Goals.

• Employ supply chain management best practices to secure uninterrupted supply.

• Identify alternatives for “high risk” suppliers that could jeopardize product launch goals.

• Lead and know about contractual obligations and provide feedback to development teams regarding effectiveness of new suppliers (risk, cost, delivery, quality). Develop key supplier relationships to effectively launch new products.

• Implement Short-term Problem Containment and Long-term 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.

• Strong knowledge and experience in MRP, material planning, budgeting and costing.

• Strong contract knowledge and experience.

• Working knowledge of Kanban systems and other Lean material handling methods.

• Detailed knowledge of:

o Supply chain & sourcing strategies

o material planning, master scheduling and forecasting

o 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

• BS in engineering, MBA preferred

• 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.

Working Conditions (As applicable - Any physical requirements for the job. If not applicable, state “none”)

• none

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

• BS Engineering

• Sourcing experience in high technology environments, inclusive of plastic injection molding, high volume complex machining, energy instrumentation, electronics, contract manufacturing, interconnect and optics is highly desirable.

• Proven ability to head a high performance team to consistently achieve stretch goals and targets.

• Ability to provide positive direction by encouraging employees to have a commitment to high standards of quality and performance.

• Ability to handle multiple tasks and projects successfully.

• Make effective presentations to peers and suppliers.

• Ability to recognize potential team areas of improvement, proposed solutions and gains commitment of team and other peer managers.

• Effectively delegates to direct reports and other peer managers.

• Help keep team energized to a common goal.

• Proven experience and track record regarding supplier and inventory management across multiple manufacturing platforms, process improvement of complex logistics, negotiations and contract development

include, providing leadership, program management, strategic sourcing, regional and local sourcing, tactical sourcing and administrative help in the procurement of minimally invasive robotic surgical raw materials and finished products. This key 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