Manager, Supplier Engineering

Manager, Supplier Engineering

At Intuitive, we are united behind our mission: we believe that minimally invasive care is life-enhancing care. Through ingenuity and intelligent technology, we expand the potential of physicians to heal without constraints. As a pioneer and market leader in robotic-assisted surgery, we strive to foster an inclusive and diverse team, committed to making a difference. For more than 25 years, we have worked with hospitals and care teams around the world to help solve some of healthcare's hardest challenges and advance what is possible. Intuitive has been built by the efforts of great people from diverse backgrounds. We believe great ideas can come from anywhere. We strive to foster an inclusive culture built around diversity of thought and mutual respect. We lead with inclusion and empower our team members to do their best work as their most authentic selves. Passionate people who want to make a difference drive our culture. Our team members are grounded in integrity, have a strong capacity to learn, the energy to get things done, and bring diverse, real world experiences to help us think in new ways. We actively invest in our team members to support their long-term growth so they can continue to advance our mission and achieve their highest potential. Join a team committed to taking big leaps forward for a global community of healthcare professionals and their patients. Together, let's advance the world of minimally invasive care.

Manage a team Supplier Engineers working throughout the product development lifecycle for the Ion Instruments and Accessories. Lead the team to execute strategic projects to optimize commodities, sub-commodities and individual suppliers; execute detailed projects with suppliers to implement changes and improvements affecting quality, cost, capacity, risk; manage supplier and sub-tier supply-chain risk; and support launch of new products. Ability to understand and solve complex issues associated with supplier's manufacturing process, quality and business inter-relationships.

Lead a team of supplier engineers in strategic supplier selection, evaluation, development, and improvement to establish and maintain a high performing, long term sustainable production supply chain.

• Supplier Selection and Evaluation
  • Lead a product family in developing and implementing a robust long-term supplier strategy.
  • Select and evaluate suppliers that fit the supplier strategy and influence key stakeholders to utilize and maximize the use of the Production supply base.
  • Lead the assessment of suppliers against key selection criteria for Preferred Suppliers.
  • Develop suppliers in operations and quality to meet requirements of ISI and promote new suppliers to production status.
  • Manage supplier relationships to effectively partner ISI and the supplier.
  • Using the ASL and Global Commodity Matrix, manage quality and performance of the commodity supply base within ISI in partnership with Engineering and Purchasing.
• Process Development
  • Take a lead role in manufacturing process selection
  • Complete Production Part Qualification deliverables: pFMEA, Special Process Validations, FAI, and Process Capability Analysis
  • Support transfer of parts and suppliers from NPI to sustaining production
  • Provide status of the readiness (quality, capacity, delivery) of the supply chain for major production process changes.
  • Drive changes to ISI requirements as necessary by initiating and managing changes to specifications and drawings through the ECO process.
  • Manage the planning and implementation of supplier change management projects using the Supplier Change Request process (SCR).
  • Promote DFM enhancements by engaging suppliers and Engineering early in the development cycle to deliver feedback on manufacturability improvements in the designs prior to production.

Proven ability to lead teams to solve difficult technical and process problems

Proven ability to hire highly capable staff, and grow and mentor staff

Proven ability in New Product Introduction and rapid scaling in production

Outstanding analytical skills along with good judgment

Proficient in Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing techniques, certification preferred

Proficient in pFMEA, process validation, route cause investigation, inspection and test techniques

Knowledge of document management system and ERP Information Systems, preferably Agile and SAP

Demonstrable knowledge of a wide range of manufacturing processes including understanding of key input variables for quality, cost and capacity

Excellent written and verbal communication skills including presentations to executive level management

Demonstrated Project Management skills

Ability to travel to suppliers on an as needed basis – domestic and international

BA or BS degree in engineering

12 or more years related experience in Manufacturing, Operations, Supplier Quality, Supplier Development, or related field with significant medical or medical device experience preferred

Minimum 3 years of experience leading engineering teams, or leadership of equivalent areas.

Knowledge of 21 CFR part 820 and ISO 13485 preferred

Experience in a high-volume medical device company is a plus