Job Description:




The Sr. NPI Buyer/Planner is responsible for ensuring that procurement activities are aligned with NPI and production planning needs within a fast-paced startup environment. This role involves supporting supplier selection, supplier negotiations, supplier relationship development, supplier performance management, and cross-functional collaboration to enable timely New Product Introductions (NPI), operational excellence, and rapid business growth.




Role and Responsibilities:




Supplier Selection & Supplier Management

? Identify new sourcing opportunities, mitigate supply chain risks, and actively resolve shortage issues.

? Manage key supplier relationships to drive quality, cost, on-time delivery, and risk improvements.

? Maintain supplier performance metrics and improvement plans as needed.

? Benchmark current supply chain to ensure competitiveness on quality, cost, technology, resilience, and timing.

? Research alternate sources for supply risk mitigation.




New Product Introduction (NPI) & Quality

? Work closely with scientists and engineers to understand the sourcing requirements.

? Help the NPI team ensure appropriate and timely BOM release, supplier establishment, and inventory systems to support timely New Product Introductions (NPI).

? Support Engineering in the drafting of Statement of Work documents for projects with partner firms.

? Support the Quality Assurance team in the transactional efforts for resolving Non-Conformances, SCAR, ECO implementation, and process improvements.




Contract Negotiation & Procurement

? Support negotiations regarding supplier Development and Purchase Agreements.

? Negotiate pricing and terms with suppliers to ensure optimal value and service levels.

? Review, analyze, and finalize quote packages from suppliers.

? Process POs and work with production teams to ensure that materials are available when needed.

? Manage blanket POs and consignment inventories and optimize inventory levels.




Cross-Functional Collaboration

? Work closely with engineering, New Product Introduction (NPI), operations, finance, and logistics teams.

? Collaborate with manufacturing and production teams to optimize inventory management and lead times.

? Collaborate with quality, operations, and engineering teams to conduct supply chain audits, ensuring supplier compliance with quality standards and supply continuity.




Cost Optimization & Process Improvement

? Track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure performance, cost, quality, and delivery metrics.

? Implement best practices for procurement, supplier risk management, and cost-saving initiatives.

? Proliferate the effective use of our new NetSuite ERP/MRP and Arena PLM/QMS systems.

? Improve supply chain processes for overall total supply costs, service level, and quality.




Qualifications:




? Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field.

? 5+ years of experience in planning, procurement, and supplier management in the capital equipment industry.

? Detail-focused with an ability to plan, collaborate, and optimize procurement to planned milestones.

? Technical and commercial aptitudes, and familiar with strategic sourcing, legal frameworks, and negotiations.

? Excellent presentation and project management skills.

? Experience working with ERP/MRP/PLM/QMS systems and supply chain analytics tools.

? Proven experience working with cross-functional teams within and outside of supply chain departments, including warehouse, planning, production, sales, R&D, Engineering, and Finance.

? Ability to manage multiple projects and support strategic initiatives.

? Resourceful in preventing and resolving supply crisis situations and executing planned milestones.

? Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make data-driven decisions.

? Strong organizational values of Integrity, Transparency, Teamwork, Fairness, Respect, Inclusivity, Ethical Conduct, Continuous Improvement, and Safety.




Preferred Qualifications:




? Supplier management and procurement experience in the Semiconductor Capital Equipment, Aerospace, Defense, or Medical equipment industries.

? Experience with NetSuite ERP/MRP and Arena PLM/QMS.

? Any relevant certifications like PMP/CSCP/PE/Lean/Six Sigma, etc.

Other

? This full-time role is mostly onsite at our Santa Clara, CA office.

Domestic and international travel may be required (up to 5%).

pay rate: $50- $60 hour DOE 




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