Supplier Manufacturing Engineer

Company Description

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.

Job Description

Primary Function of Position:

The mission of Supplier Engineering is to bring top quality components to our production lines by building a world-class supplier network that can ensure continuity of supply, scale to demand, YoY cost reductions and mitigated supply chain risks. This role will help Instruments and Accessories on the DaVinci platform to execute strategic projects that launch new products; optimize commodities, sub-commodities and suppliers; and execute detailed projects with suppliers to implement changes and improvements affecting quality, cost, capacity, risk, and sub-supplier management.

Roles and Responsibilities:

This position has responsibility and authority to:

• Select, evaluate, and qualify suppliers
• Supplier Corrective Action Request initiation, execution, and closure
• Create strategies to effectively optimize the supply base by leading efforts to optimize supply networks.
• Manage supplier changes/projects including manufacturing process changes, production optimization, facility changes, new equipment qualification, and new line validations
  • Effectively prioritize and advance multiple concurrent projects and tasks
  • Drive project planning and execution per project timeline in partnership with suppliers
  • Clearly communicate project status to key partners
  • Manage and resolve the supply continuity/ quality issues at suppliers through in-depth root cause and corrective actions utilizing SCARs, SCRs (Supplier Change requests) and NC (Non-Conformance) processes.
  • Driving change to ISI specifications as necessary by comprehending and changing specifications and drawings including driving the ECO process to implementation
  • Drive suppliers to continually improve their business and manufacturing process performance using a collection of best practices in project management, Six Sigma, Lean, SPC and negotiation by leading these efforts with limited managerial guidance at two to three suppliers simultaneously.
  • Develop and use metrics for supplier part cost, delivery, quality, capacity and capability by creating metrics to measure real improvement and judge required intervention or change at the supplier or in a commodity.
  • Monitor supplier performance - conduct on-site supplier assessments to assess the effectiveness of process controls & improvement initiatives.
  • Provide effective and timely supply base health information to management by creating and delivering data-driven supply base information to any level of management at ISI with little or no guidance (including QRB) and provide recommendations.
  • Prepare and deliver supplier communications as required by autonomously working with suppliers on scorecard creation of QBRs, Supplier Summits, etc.
  • Facilitate supplier contract development to execution and maintenance by negotiating contracts as necessary in partnership with the contract team and Supply Chain Management.
  • Work with suppliers and ISI engineering for the new product introduction to
    • Select the right process and supplier for the part, considering long term fit and total cost of ownership
    • Perform DFM by engaging suppliers early in development cycle to feedback manufacturability improvements in the designs prior to production
    • Complete part production qualification process (PPQP), which includes but not limited to delivering on the following deliverables: spFMEA, Special Process Validations, Process capability, MSA, capacity investigation, and FAIR.
    • Develop supplier ramp readiness based on forecast, supplier capacity, quality performance, and process capability.

Qualifications

Skill/Job Requirements:

In order to adequately perform the responsibilities of this position the applicant must possess:

• Minimum Education: BS degree in Mechanical/Plastics/Manufacturing Engineering or equivalent experience, Master's degree preferred
• Minimum 5 years related experience in engineering and manufacturing
• Minimum 3 or more years related experience in Supplier Management and Development.
• Proven ability to coordinate and partner in teams to solve difficult technical and process problems
• Ability to read and interpret detailed mechanical drawings and communicating technical information
• Experience with the manufacture and/or design of plastic components, plastic injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, compression molding.
• Knowledge of materials as they relate to design and manufacturability preferred
• Experience with the manufacture and/or design of machined components is a plus.
• Experience with the ramp-up of High Volume products, automation of production lines and inspection systems is desirable
• Sense of purpose combined with a proven ability to execute
• Excellent communication skills a must
• Significant computer experience using Windows, Word, Excel and Access and ERP Information Systems, preferably SAP and Agile application software
• Previous Medical Device manufacturing experience highly desirable
• This position requires travelling to suppliers 25% of time (mainly domestic travel)

Additional Information

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 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.

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 salary ranges are listed.

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

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 salary ranges are listed.