The NPI Planner / Buyer is responsible for managing procurement and material planning activities throughout the New Product Introduction (NPI) process. This role ensures the timely sourcing of materials, maintains supply chain integrity, and supports successful product launches by collaborating closely with Project Management, Engineering, Product Management, and cross-functional teams.

The position is accountable for material availability, SAP data accuracy, regulatory compliance, and the execution of project activities aligned with stage-gate product development processes. The NPI Planner / Buyer plays a critical role in ensuring first customer orders are delivered on time while maintaining high levels of operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Create, process, and manage purchase orders for direct and indirect materials using SAP.
• Ensure purchased materials meet quality, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Monitor material availability to support prototype builds, product launches, and production schedules.
• Expedite deliveries and proactively resolve supply chain issues to minimize production disruptions.
• Collaborate with project teams to develop and maintain project schedules.
• Support project budget planning and track progress against project objectives.
• Coordinate procurement activities required for new product introduction and product launch readiness.
• Support product development activities following stage-gate and product development processes.
• Maintain accurate material and procurement information within SAP.
• Partner with Engineering, Project Management, and Product Management teams to support project execution.
• Analyze project requirements and support engineering process activities.
• Ensure effective communication among stakeholders and project resources.
• Identify, escalate, and help resolve technical and supply chain challenges that could impact project timelines.