Job Description

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.



Roles and Responsibilities:

Manage a team of Supplier Engineers in qualifying components for new product development, and supporting production released components with the goal of maintaining quality product with long term sustainable supply to meet growing demand needs.

The successful candidate has the ability to lead a team, solve complex issues associated with a variety of supplier manufacturing processes, incorporate quality initiatives, and navigate business inter-relationships. This person will be responsible for effectively sustaining supply continuity.

Experience in various manufacturing processes such as plastic injection molding, extrusion, machining, and MIM is preferred.

Process Development

• Lead the selection of appropriate manufacturing process
• Support the team in completing the Production Part Qualification deliverables: pFMEA, Special Process Validations, FAI, and Process Capability Analysis
• Support transfer of parts and suppliers throughout the product development life cycle
• Drive changes to Intuitive requirements as necessary by initiating and managing changes to specifications and drawings through the change control 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.

Data Analysis / Performance Evaluation

• Provide effective and timely supply base health information to management by creating data-driven supply base information and communicating information to any level of management at Intuitive with minimal guidance (including Quality Review Board).
• Develop and use measurement techniques for supplier part quality, capability, cost, capacity, and delivery by creating metrics to determine if an action is required.
• Identify and investigate opportunities for cost reduction and/or quality improvement

Supplier Selection and Evaluation

• Lead the Instrument 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 team in mitigating business risks and overcoming related challenges.
• Manage supplier relationships to effectively partner Intuitive and the supplier.

Quality Improvements / Performance Improvement

• Drive the commodity supply base to continually improve their business and manufacturing process performance to meet Intuitive requirements for supplier excellence using a collection of best practices in project management, Six Sigma, Lean, SPC and negotiation.
• Review, analyze, and close non-conformances, and first article inspections by judging risk analyses and justifications, determining corrective and preventive actions at suppliers (SCAR), looking for opportunities with suppliers to eliminate recurrence.
• Lead the team to solve difficult process issues in the manufacture of components and assemblies.
• Facilitate, influence and work cross-functionally to improve supplier engineering processes.

Qualifications

Skill/Job Requirements:

• Minimum BS degree in engineering
• Minimum 10 or more years related experience in Manufacturing, Operations, Supplier Development, Supplier Quality or related field with significant medical or medical device experience preferred
• Minimum 1 year of experience leading supplier development or supplier quality engineering teams, or leadership of equivalent areas.
• 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, root cause investigation, inspection and test techniques
• Knowledge of document management system and ERP Systems, preferably Agile and SAP
• Knowledge of 21 CFR part 820 and ISO 13485 preferred
• 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 executives
• Demonstrated Project Management skills
• Experience in a high-volume medical device company is a plus
• Ability to travel to suppliers on an as needed basis - domestic and international (approx. 25%)

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.

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.

Intuitive Surgical