Senior Engineer, NPD Procurement, Sports/ENT & Robotics

Life Unlimited. At Smith+Nephew, we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living.

The Procurement New Product Development Leader is the primary procurement interface for New Product Developments to grow the company product portfolio.  This role serves as an active participant and contributor to several cross-functional teams composed of multiple internal functions including Research & Development, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, Product Development, Marketing, Regulatory and Supply Chain.

This position is designated as the primary point of contact and interface with external suppliers for quotations, negotiations and status reports.  The role participates early in the process with the research and engineering teams with responsibility to determine suitable candidate suppliers and to drive early supplier involvement and engagement throughout the initial phase gates.

The position stewards procurement responsibilities through product qualification steps and through the eventual hand-off to the production team as a fully qualified product. This role manages and monitors the costs throughout the development cycle and provides report outs to the team and management.

This position supports New Product Developments in accordance with Global Procurement objectives, which are:

• Protect and elevate the reputation of Smith & Nephew.

• Create shared value with our suppliers.

• Enhance margin and profitability.

• Accelerate revenue growth through rapid New Product Development (NPI) execution.

• Design an agile and reliable supplier network, through balanced risk management.

What will you be doing?

Protect and elevate the reputation of Smith & Nephew.

• Adhere to business practices according to the Smith & Nephew Code of Conduct and other applicable company policies.

• Steward processes in accordance with Medical Device industry requirements and regulations applicable to the specific process, product or purchased commodity.

• Perform procurement activities in alignment with regulatory requirements and industry standards such as the Modern Slavery Act, Conflict Minerals and others.

• Protect Smith & Nephew Intellectual Property as well as all Company information against unauthorized disclosure and legal exposure. 

• Partner with Supplier Quality to assure supplier performance and enhance supplier relationships (quality, technical capabilities, processes, etc.)

• Encourage Supplier Diversity.

• Complete required training courses in accordance with assigned due dates.

Create shared value with our suppliers.

• Enable Smith & Nephew to get the best out of its suppliers by working in partnership with them for mutual good business.

• Maintain strong relationship with the Direct Procurement Leaders and provide support to ensure commodity strategies are being implemented appropriately.

• Arrange technical meetings and supplier reviews with current and potential suppliers to harness knowledge of supplier technology, strengths and weaknesses as well as future technology directions and disruptors.

• Know the Smith & Nephew product technology roadmap and establish relationships with key suppliers to leverage new technologies and processes.

Enhance margin and profitability.

• Steward that the “Make versus Buy” analysis of the decision of internal manufacture versus external supplier purchases has been completed with forms reviewed and agreed with the team.

• Identify suitable supplier candidates based on understanding of overall category strategy, supplier performance and supplier readiness.

• Ensure a clear understanding and communication of specifications and expectations between suppliers and project teams.

• Present the project level Sourcing Decision Matrix (SDM) for team review with target cycle time of less than four weeks, with team selection based on data-driven sourcing decisions and manage all documentation retention requirements per quality standards.

• Coordinate the initial project cost estimates for new and carry-over components and continue to monitor the cost throughout the development lifecycle, reporting any gaps to budget back to the team for closure or for escalation if not mitigated.

• Develop costs and negotiate pricing with suppliers in effort to deliver new product to the initially proposed cost targets, with early identification of risks to cost budgets.

• Serve as meeting leader at Supplier Meetings to focus team on execution of project deliverables.

• Partner with engineering and suppliers to drive cost and performance improvements on products to improve the Total Cost of Ownership across the product lifecycle.

• Manage the resolution of purchased price variances, Accounts Payable discrepancies, receiving discrepancies and quality credits for goods and services related to NPD projects on a timely basis.

Accelerate revenue growth through rapid New Product Development (NPI) execution.

• Develop understanding of parts, processes and suppliers of assigned commodities to support team members to evaluate and support supplier/part strategies to ensure successful implementation of New Product Launches.

• Serve as an active member and the Procurement point on New Product Development teams with shared accountability and responsibility for on-time and on-budget delivery of the New Product.

• Provide key Procurement input into the early stages through knowledge of the business, suppliers and applicable Procurement category strategy.

• Provide guidance to Product Development regarding early prototype requirements.

• Manage the completion of all Global Procurement-related product launch activities in SAP which includes:  Extend views, Procurement Information Record, Quality Inspection Report, Purchase Orders at project phase gates, etc.)

• Manage and present the Open Order Report with status of externally sourced products.

• Track the delivery status of prototypes as well as trial materials with expedite / de-expedite to meet project schedule.

• Coordinate the hand-off to the buyer/planner following final product launch.

Design an agile and reliable supplier network, through balanced risk management.

• Identify and communicate business risks associated with new, changed and current materials, processes and suppliers through the standard processes for risk identification methodology, assessment and mitigation.

• Ensure risk assessment results are reflected in the overall New Product Plan and coordinate alternate sourcing pipelines based on risk potential/prioritization.

What will you need to be successful?

• Bachelor of Science degree required; engineering or other technical degrees preferred.
   

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in procurement or related roles within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in the medical device industry or a similarly regulated industry (e.g., pharmaceutical, biologics) is preferred.
• Proven experience supporting multiple complex projects simultaneously through participation in cross‑functional teams.

• Knowledge of e‑sourcing and procurement systems, including SAP Finance suite, Ariba, or comparable platforms.
   

• Ability to work effectively in a highly matrixed organization, including dotted‑line reporting relationships.
• Strong sense of urgency and accountability to deliver tasks according to agreed timelines.
• Self‑motivated and resourceful, with the ability to work independently and proactively seek support when needed.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, tasks, objectives, and plans.
• Effective communication skills to coordinate with Procurement, New Product Introduction (NPI) teams, and external suppliers.
• Ability to organize and execute complex work assignments independently while adhering to established procedures.
• Demonstrated capability to gain internal buy‑in and influence across teams and functional areas.
• Understanding of procurement processes within a regulated manufacturing environment.
   

Travel Requirements:

• Ability to travel as required (up to 10%).
   

Other considered locations

• Memphis, TN
• Pittsburgh, PA
• Mansfield, MA
• Austin, TX
• Oklahoma City, OK
   

You Unlimited.

We believe in creating the greatest good for society. Our strongest investments are in our people and the patients we serve.    

• Inclusion and Belonging- Committed to Welcoming, Celebrating and Thriving on Inclusion and Belonging, Learn more about Employee Inclusion Groups on our website (https://www.smith-nephew.com/).

• Your Future: 401k Matching Program, 401k Plus Program, Discounted Stock Options, Tuition Reimbursement  

• Work/Life Balance: Flexible Personal/Vacation Time Off, Paid Holidays, Flex Holidays, Paid Community Service Day  

• Your Wellbeing: Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account (Employer Contribution of $500+ annually), Employee Assistance Program, Parental Leave, Fertility and Adoption Assistance Program 

• Flexibility: Hybrid Work Model (For most professional roles)  

• Training: Hands-On, Team-Customized, Mentorship  

• Extra Perks: Discounts on fitness clubs, travel and more! 
   

Compensation

The anticipated base compensation range for this position is $101,500.00 - 152,250.00 USD annually.

The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range for their role at Smith + Nephew.  Compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.  
 

Benefits

In addition to base pay, we provide competitive bonus and benefits, which include medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401k, tuition reimbursement, medical leave programs, and a variety of wellness offerings.

Smith+Nephew provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.