Manufacturing Equipment BuyerPlanner

Primary Function of Position

The Manufacturing Equipment Buyer/Planner is responsible for the planning procurement and lifecycle support of materials components and spare parts required to install sustain and maintain the operating continuity of manufacturing line equipment. This role is critical to ensuring uninterrupted production by proactively securing equipment-related materials and spare parts needed for maintenance repair upgrades and capital deployments.

The position balances availability cost lifecycle risk and technical requirements across manufacturing line equipment automation tooling and supporting infrastructure. Working closely with Engineering Maintenance Manufacturing and Sourcing/Category Management the Buyer/Planner translates technical equipment and spares requirements into timely compliant purchasing actions that reduce downtime risk support ramp and sustainment and enable longterm equipment reliability.

Success in this role requires strong direct materials-focused buying expertise technical aptitude disciplined execution and a proactive approach to inventory obsolescence and supply risk management.

Essential Job Duties

         Plan buy and manage direct materials and spare parts required to support manufacturing line equipment tooling automation and test systems ensuring continuity of operations and minimal production disruption.

         Partner with Engineering Maintenance and Production to define and maintain technical specifications drawings acceptance criteria and documentation for equipment materials and spares supporting installation sustainment and repair activities.

         Own spare parts strategy for manufacturing equipment including criticality assessment recommended stocking levels leadtime risk mitigation and lifecycle planning aligned to equipment uptime and production needs.

         Support Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) deviations and qualification builds by assessing and executing procurement impacts related to equipment materials spare parts cost lead time and supplier scope.

         Execute sourcing events (RFI/RFQ/RFP) for manufacturing equipment materials line tooling test and measurement systems and associated spare parts evaluating total cost of ownership (TCO) serviceability and longterm supportability.

         Supports negotiation and of administration of supplier commercial terms where requiredincluding pricing payment terms incoterms lead times warranties service agreements and aftersales supportto meet manufacturing quality cost and delivery (QCD) objectives.

         Partners with Sourcing and Category Management in supplier governance and QBRs includes monitoring of supplier performance (OTIF lead time adherence responsiveness warranty performance corrective actions) as well as identifying and mitigating supply risks that could impact manufacturing line availability.

         Converts approved requisitions into purchase orders; manage acknowledgements expedites changes cancellations and deliveries through installation commissioning or spares receipt with proactive risk management.

         Coordinate logistics and sitereadiness activitiesincluding packaging freight customs documentation rigging utilities and safety requirementsto enable ontime deployment of manufacturing equipment materials and spares.

         Track and report procurement activities against manufacturing project schedules equipment installations and sustainment plans providing clear status risks and recovery actions to stakeholders.

         Manage endoflife (EOL) and obsolescence for equipment materials and spares by partnering with Engineering to identify qualify and transition alternate parts and suppliers.

         Serve as the liaison between Procurement Engineering Manufacturing and Finance to execute the Request for Capital Expenditure (RCE) process in compliance with company procedures.

         Prepare submit and maintain complete technical financial and contractual documentation (RCEs BOMs contracts spares lists) to support audit readiness and regulatory compliance when required.

Qualifications :

Required Skills and Experience

         Manufacturing-Focused Procurement: Demonstrated experience buying materials components and spares for manufacturing line equipment automation tooling or capital assets.

         Spare Parts and Lifecycle Planning: Strong capability in critical spares identification stocking strategies leadtime risk mitigation and lifecycle support of production equipment.

         Administration and Organization: Proven ability to organize and evaluate data to support timely execution of core job responsibilities and support sourcing events where required.

         Technical Acumen: Ability to interpret equipment drawings data sheets BOMs and specifications translating engineering and maintenance requirements into executable purchasing actions.

         CrossFunctional Collaboration: Effective partnership with Engineering Manufacturing Maintenance Finance Quality and Sourcing to align operational technical and compliance needs.

         Execution and Reliability: Strong bias for action with ownership of delivery performance equipment readiness and spares availability supporting manufacturing uptime.

         Analytical and DecisionMaking Skills: Ability to assess supply risk forecast equipment and spare part demand prioritize critical needs and make datadriven decisions under operational pressure.

         Process Discipline: Consistent execution across requisitiontoPO cycle time PO accuracy contract coverage and documentation rigor.

Required Education and Training

         Bachelors degree in Supply Chain Management Business Engineering or a related technical discipline.

         Formal training in purchasing materials management production planning or inventory management.

         Experience or training in regulated or qualitycontrolled manufacturing environments (e.g. medical devices semiconductors aerospace automotive).

         Documented technical training enabling interpretation of equipment data sheets mechanical/electrical drawings P&IDs and manufacturing BOMs.

         Proficiency in ERP and purchasing systems (e.g. SAP SAP Fiori Coupa Agile NEPTUNE) with strong Excel capabilities for cost modeling and analysis.

         Training in negotiation cost analysis and supplier management through formal coursework certifications or structured programs.

         Strong written and verbal business communication skills for effective engagement with crossfunctional teams and suppliers.

Working Conditions

         Potential for up to 20% travel including visits to domestic and international supplier sites and manufacturing locations.

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 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

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 employeeswho 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 governments 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 employeesstart 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. 

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.

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

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 compensation ranges are listed.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time