JOB DESCRIPTION:
NPI Project Sourcing Lead
Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:
- Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
- Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
- An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution
- Tuition reimbursement, the [Freedom 2 Save](https://www.abbott.com/corpnewsroom/strategy-and-strength/tackling-student-debt-for-our-employees.html) student debt program, and [FreeU](https://www.abbott.com/corpnewsroom/strategy-and-strength/college-degree-for-free-its-possible-with-freeu.html) education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
- A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
- A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.
The Opportunity
This position works out of our Plymouth, MN location for our Electrophysiology Medical Device Division. In Abbott’s Electrophysiology (EP) business, we’re advancing the treatment of heart disease through breakthrough medical technologies in atrial fibrillation, allowing people to restore their health and get on with their lives.
We’re seeking a dynamic and strategic procurement professional to lead New Product Introduction (NPI) efforts for a revolutionary next-generation ablation catheter. This is your opportunity to play a pivotal role in transforming cardiac care by ensuring the seamless launch of a life-saving technology.
As part of a cross-functional team, you’ll collaborate with R&D, engineering, quality, and global suppliers to source and scale critical components from concept through commercialization. Your expertise will directly impact product performance, cost, and time-to-market—making you a key driver of success in a high-growth, mission-driven environment.
What You'll Work On:
- Manages long term contracts which are not managed by the commodity management teams, within established limitations and scope of authority to obtain the most favorable business partnerships, including but not limited to quality, availability and cost.
- Plans and schedules deliveries to optimize inventories in support of production schedules/business demands by working with forecasting data/teams, planning teams, commodity teams and shipping/receiving teams.
- Reviews purchase requisitions and confers with vendors to obtain product information such as price, availability and delivery schedule, reviewing quotes for accuracy and competitive strategies.
- Implements process and procedure best practices by partnering with other functional leadership with the related product lines.
- Facilitates vendor corrective action and partners with SQE and suppliers to improve quality.
- Supports Supply Chain NPI team in the transfer of new products to Manufacturing in an expeditious manner.
- Recommends pricing strategies to achieve department operating goals.
- Creates and maintains mutually beneficial long-term partnerships with suppliers to foster feedback and continuous improvement, usually being the single source of contact for the vendor.
- Investigates and recommends new vendors.
- Performs as purchasing subject matter expert for internal and external customers due to extensive knowledge of purchasing and product line operations.
- Provides coaching and mentoring to junior members of the purchasing team.
- Monitors supplier performance, communicates and takes action to maintain high levels of supplier performance.
- Maintains and updates supplier databases as required.
- Generates highly complex reports and performs data analysis to proactively plan or resolve issues.
- Works with inventory management/warehouse management to resolve issues.
- Lead special projects as requested to reduce cost, increase efficiency, etc.
- May process some or all of the following: rejected components/corrective action, returns, debit memos, etc.
- Complies with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, other regulatory requirements, Company policies, operating procedures, processes, and task assignments.
- Maintains positive and cooperative communications and collaboration with all levels of employees, customers, contractors, and vendors.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain, Operations Management or equivalent degree.
- 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in direct materials purchasing or commodity management, or operations roles.
- At least 3 years working with ERP software such as SAP, Oracle JDE, Microsoft Dynamics GP, or equivalent.
- At least 3 years working with product lifecycle/data management software such as PTC Windchill, Oracle Agile, or equivalent.
- At least 3 years developing and managing complex reports and data sets in Microsoft Excel and/or BI software such as PowerBI, BusinessObjects, Crystal Reports, or equivalent
- Ability to work in a highly matrixed and geographically diverse business environment.
- Ability to work within a team and as an individual contributor in a fast-paced, changing environment.
- Ability to leverage and/or engage others to accomplish projects.
- Strong verbal and written communications with ability to effectively communicate at multiple levels in the organization.
- Multitasks, prioritizes and meets deadlines in timely manner.
- Strong organizational and follow-up skills, as well as attention to detail.
- Ability to travel approximately 5%, including internationally.
Preferred qualifications:
- 3 years working in a highly regulated environment preferred.
- Experience working in a broader enterprise/cross-division business unit model preferred.
- Experience negotiating purchasing terms
- Experience with cable assemblies/harnesses, injection-molded plastics, plastic extrusions, precision machined components, and/or other technically complex commodities preferred.
- Ability to read and understand technical drawings and specifications preferred.
- CPIM, CSCP, or CPP certification preferred.
- Experience with Microsoft Visio and/or Microsoft Project preferred.
What We Offer
At Abbott, you can have a good job that can grow into a great career. We offer:
- A fast-paced work environment where your safety is our priority
- Production areas that are clean, well-lit and temperature-controlled
- Training and career development , with onboarding programs for new employees and tuition assistance
- Financial security through competitive compensation, incentives and retirement plans
- Health care and well-being programs including medical, dental, vision, wellness and occupational health programs
- Paid time off
- 401(k) retirement savings with a generous company match
- The stability of a company with a record of strong financial performance and history of being actively involved in local communities
