Senior Manager, Material Planning
Intuitive · San Francisco, California, United States
It started with a simple idea: what if surgery could be less invasive and recovery less painful? Nearly 30 years later, that question still fuels everything we do at Intuitive. As a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care, our technologies—like the da Vinci surgical system and Ion—have transformed how care is delivered for millions of patients worldwide.
We’re a team of engineers, clinicians, and innovators united by one purpose: to make surgery smarter, safer, and more human. Every day, our work helps care teams perform with greater precision and patients recover faster, improving outcomes around the world.
The problems we solve demand creativity, rigor, and collaboration. The work is challenging, but deeply meaningful—because every improvement we make has the potential to change a life.
If you’re ready to contribute to something bigger than yourself and help transform the future of healthcare, you’ll find your purpose here.
Primary Function of Position
This role is responsible for establishing policies guiding strategies and execution of planning tools, processes, and personnel to direct planning activities at raw component level. Responsibilities cover component yield planning, lineside kanban sizing, ensuring the accuracy of MRP Plan loads, ECO process guidance/best practices, component planning /E&O mitigation strategies for major product transitions and chronic shortage analysis. The position collaborates with Planning, Procurement, Manufacturing and Service teams to streamline component planning/ material flow and drive processes for operational excellence, including recovery plan for chronic shortages, component flow from warehouse to the lines.
Essential Job Duties
· Understand top level Finished good and subassembly demand and be able to communicate demand changes at the component level. Directly responsible for MRP integrity at the component level along with understanding component buffering, inventory strategies and E&O analysis and root cause.
- Responsible for the component level yield planning review and material load process, by collaborating closely with procurement teams by sharing historical trends, forward planning and scrap reduction opportunities.
- Lead the Line Side Kanban Sizing & the closed loop implementation of recommended sizing by collaborating with Manufacturing, Warehouse and Inventory Control teams.
· Works with Production Planning and Manufacturing functions to identify chronic shortages and works with Procurement teams on critical priorities/recovery and improve material flow processes from warehouse to the Manufacturing lines.
- Manages material flow between factories, including transfers, and allocation of raw materials across production lines, warehouses, and factory locations.
· Works with planning and procurement teams on major product transitions, to minimize raw material E&O, through effective communication, sharing best practices, leading impact assessment/ mitigation actions. Supervises the Alternate parts planning process to ensure data integrity of raw components.
- Drive periodic review/ clean-up actions for NPI planning material in the NPI locations
- Establish key performance metrics, facilitate enhancement of planning tools and ERP/MRP system functionality for scalable raw material planning and MRP integrity.
- Rigor in operational excellence, projects and initiatives to drive business outcomes.
Required Skills and Experience
· Detailed understanding of material planning, demand scheduling, and supply planning with strong knowledge of ERP systems and advanced planning systems.
· Strong process driven mindset, data/analytical capabilities, ability to solve problems and drive future system and process solutions.
· Key abilities include conflict resolution, consensus building, and gaining commitment of stakeholders to achieve results.
· Demonstrated skill in influencing cross-functional colleagues within a matrixed and multinational environment to accomplish objectives and promote best practices for systems tools, processes, and planning competencies.
· Excellent verbal, written, presentation, executive communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group of internal customers.
Required Education and Training
· Masters or BS degree or equivalent.
· 12+ years of experience in Production Planning, Demand/Supply planning, Purchasing, Inventory Management domains
· 5+ years of experience in directly managing high performing teams.
· Multi-plant work experience highly desired
Working Conditions
- ~20% travel to both domestic and international operating sites.
Preferred Skills and Experience
Experience working in medium to large medical device manufacturing organizations within multinational and cross-matrixed management settings.
- Masters level degree in engineering, supply chain/business management, finance discipline.
· Significant experience with core business systems including SAP, Agile, advanced planning solutions
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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 employees who 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 government’s 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 employee’s start 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 candidate’s experience, knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the
candidate’s qualifications, consistent with applicable law.
Accommodation & Accessibility Notice:
Intuitive is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance or an accommodation during any part of the application or interview process, please contact People Services at HRHelpNow@intusurg.com.
We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inc