Strategic Buyer (m/f/d)

Business Unit Overview

This position is part of Novanta’s World of Medicine (WOM) business unit, which specializes in Advanced Surgery Medicine. WOM develops devices and accessories that enable minimally invasive surgery, including cameras, insufflators, medical pumps, and tubing.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the execution of an Advanced Surgery Supply Chain Strategy that supports business growth and meets objectives for supplier OTD, inventory reduction, supplier quality, lead times, and material productivity, including Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VAVE).
• Rationalize the supply base, improve supplier relationships, implement supplier agreements, and drive sourcing from lower‑cost/high‑quality sources.
• Implement productivity and supplier improvement plans in partnership with global category management teams, as outlined in the Annual Operating Plan.
• Establish and network support resources within Advanced Surgery to facilitate supply‑chain improvements and leverage supplier capabilities in product design and cost reduction.
• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, and Quality to identify and develop external capability for strategic in‑sourcing or out‑sourcing opportunities.
• Respond to supplier performance issues promptly to minimize business disruption.
• Resolve serious supply issues using appropriate methodology, troubleshooting constraints on site.
• Obtain competitive bids, analyze costs, and negotiate/award contracts to key suppliers based on robust commodity strategies and total cost of ownership.
• Drive increased inventory turns by developing and supporting innovative replenishment processes such as Kanban, vendor‑managed inventory (VMI), and supplier consignment.
• Participate in and support Global Kaizen events to eliminate waste and achieve gains in growth, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Communicate objective performance metrics, including supplier scorecards, through quarterly business reviews focused on lead time, on‑time delivery, quality, cost, service, and compliance.
• Ensure proper flow‑down of part specifications, revision changes, quality, and inspection requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in engineering or supply‑chain discipline.
• 3+ years of strategic sourcing experience.
• Strong communication, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Experience in category management, site visits, supplier audits, negotiations, and contract agreements.
• Ability to learn new systems, meet objectives, and work independently in a matrix organization.
• Experience driving cost‑reduction projects to achieve consistent PPV/PPI and material spend reductions.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and diplomatic persistence to ensure timely execution.
• Analytical thinker with excellent problem‑solving ability and adaptability to changing priorities and deadlines.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing methods.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English; German is a plus.
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time, including international travel.

Travel Requirements

Approximately 20% travel, including international travel.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Novanta is proud to be an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action workplace. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, military and veteran status, disability, genetics, or any other category protected by federal law or Novanta policy.

Please call +1 781‑266‑5700 if you need a disability accommodation for any part of the employment process.