Senior NPI Buyer

JOB SUMMARY

We are looking for a New Product Introduction Program Buyer/Planner to support our hardware development programs through the product development lifecycle. In this role, you will work across the Engineering, PMO, and Supply Chain departments to drive procurement execution, material tracking, and build readiness for rapid-iteration engineering builds. Depending on program needs, you may support any combination of hardware domains — mechanical, electrical, electromechanical, PCBAs, or full subsystem assemblies.

This is a high-impact, high-visibility role at the intersection of program management and supply chain. You will be the person who ensures that when engineers are ready to build, the parts are there — and when they're not, everyone knows why and what's being done about it. You'll gain deep exposure to hardware development, cross-functional coordination, and the full product lifecycle.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Procurement Requests & Tracking

• Submit and track purchase requests. Follow orders through the Supply Chain team's procurement process to delivery and receiving.
• Execute risk-buy requests as necessary for long-lead or high-risk components.
• Maintain sourcing plans and collaborate on identification of alternate suppliers for critical components.
• Track supplier commits, lead times, and delivery schedules. Flag risks early.
• Monitor market conditions and supplier roadmaps for supply challenges.

Clear-to-Build & Inventory

• Own procurement data integrity and clear-to-build (CTB) analyses. Maintain live material availability against build schedules.
• Manage material requirement plans and inventory levels — minimize shortages and excess.
• Manage prototype/temporary inventory (lab stock, dev kits, staging areas).

Hardware Releases & Engineering Changes

• Track releases through PLM (ECOs, revisions, release gates). Keep procurement aligned to current revisions.
• Assess material impact of engineering changes and adjust procurement plan accordingly
• Manage component phase-in/phase-out and obsolescence.

Vendor & Contract Manufacturer Coordination

• Track contract manufacturer commits, capacity, and constraints.
• When needed, coordinate movement of raw materials or components between suppliers and manufacturers.
• Support BOM cost tracking and Design for Cost activities.

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Track and report KPIs: CTB, days-on-hand, inventory excess, obsolescence, delivery performance.
• Maintain procurement dashboards (open POs, CTB by subsystem, spend vs. budget).
• Drive process improvements in planning tools and supply chain workflows.

Program Management Support

• Support the TPM with schedule tracking, milestone reporting, and program review prep as it relates to product development.
• Track and close out material planning-related action items from design reviews, build meetings, and supplier calls.
• Support programs from early prototype through production, including transition to sustaining.
• Coordinate cross-functionally across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Finance.

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Hardware Build Awareness — Understanding of how hardware components come together in prototype and NPI builds. Comfortable in a lab, shop, or manufacturing environment.
• Procurement & Supply Chain Fundamentals — Familiarity with purchase orders, supplier management, lead time tracking, and basic sourcing concepts.
• Analytical & Detail-Oriented — Ability to maintain accurate trackers, spot discrepancies in data, and synthesize material status into clear summaries for leadership. Strong Excel/Sheets skills.
• Tool Proficiency — Comfort with or willingness to learn ERP/MRP systems, PLM tools, and project management platforms (Jira, Asana). Knowledge of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software is a plus.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Supply Chain
• 5+ years of experience in program management, project coordination, supply chain, manufacturing, or engineering operations.
• Preferred: Experience in robotics, automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, or other hardware-intensive industries.
• Preferred: Exposure to NPI, prototype builds, or early-stage product development.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer 
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times 
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen 
• Hearing and speech to communicate