Strategic Sourcing Manager, Research & Development (Finance)

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 Strategic Sourcing Manager, R&D will lead sourcing initiatives related to research and development, as well as aspects of maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO), to ensure Intuitive Surgical (Intuitive) secures services and products at optimal value. This role plays a pivotal part in driving innovation by supporting our internal teams. Key spend categories include clinical research organizations (CROs), fabrication shops, prototyping, lab testing services, good lab practices (GLP), machine shops, clinical trials, and associated services and supplies. The individual will work closely with Intuitive's R&D teams, operations, and supplier quality departments.

The ideal candidate will possess the ability to conduct comprehensive supplier and category/market research, including market index analysis, data analysis, baseline development, RFP development, bid management, contract negotiations, offer analysis, and category strategy development. This role also involves post-bid management activities, such as contract and business reviews, spend analysis, and supplier management. Additionally, the candidate will manage multiple projects concurrently and support ad-hoc project requests.

1. Supplier Relationship Management:

• Build and sustain strong supplier partnerships to promote collaboration, trust, and mutual success.
• Act as the main liaison for suppliers concerning performance and strategic initiatives.
• Regularly review supplier performance, evaluate capabilities, and implement plans to boost performance and reliability.
• Set global standards to evaluate supplier performance and minimize business risks.

2. Strategic Sourcing:

• Independently manage the RFx or strategic sourcing process for complex projects, from initiation to completion.
• Analyze spending patterns and conduct market and supplier assessments to uncover cost-saving and innovation opportunities.
• Lead cross-functional teams to develop category strategies aligned with business goals and market trends.
• Optimize buying channels and create strategies for assigned spend categories, considering Procure to Pay (P2P) requirements.
• Provide comprehensive financial analysis for bid comparisons and alternative proposals.

3. Contract Management:

• Negotiate and manage supplier contracts, ensuring compliance with company policies and industry standards.
• Monitor contract performance and compliance with terms and conditions.
• Possess in-depth knowledge of terms and conditions included in R&D and related MRO contracts.
• Identify opportunities for contract optimization or consolidation to enhance cost efficiency and reduce risks.
• Secure favorable terms, quality, service compliance, and discounts while mitigating company risk.

4. Category Management:

• Establish a baseline for current spend categories and define future success criteria considering business goals and market conditions.
• Analyze market trends, risks, and potential new suppliers.
• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the health of managed spend categories.
• Implement spend treatment plans for all levels of spend and risk within the category.
• Work with suppliers and stakeholders to execute the category strategy.

Qualifications
Required Skills and Experience

• 6+ years of experience, with at least 4 years in a strategic sourcing & category management role.
• Proven experience working with CROs, and sourcing R&D categories.
• Exceptional negotiation skills, capable of guiding teams through complex and ambiguous situations.
• Strong conceptual thinking abilities to navigate and resolve intricate challenges.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, suitable for engaging with team members and company leadership.
• Superior analytical skills to quickly assess situations, perform root cause analysis, and draw meaningful conclusions.
• Extensive experience in managing change across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Proven ability to influence senior leadership on strategic directions, value propositions, and sourcing recommendations.
• Strong skills in contract and vendor negotiation to secure favorable outcomes.
• Ability to build consensus and act as an impartial mediator to achieve sourcing objectives without compromising service quality or increasing risk/cost.
• Expertise in concurrently managing multiple projects and tasks, with a solid understanding of business requirements and project management methodologies.
• Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy with minimal supervision.
• Proficient in listening, understanding, and communicating effectively with employees at all levels.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within Intuitive and with suppliers.

Required Education and Training

• Minimum Bachelor's Degree Required (Business, Supply Chain management, Finance, or related Discipline preferred)

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

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.

Base Salary Range Region 1: $139,400 USD - $200,600 USD
Base Salary Range Region 2: $118,500 USD - $170,500 USD
Shift: Day
Workplace Type: Set Schedule - This job will be onsite weekly, the percentage of onsite work will be defined by the leader.