NPI​/ECO​/Engineer Buyer

Overview

The NPI / Engineering (ECO) Buyer is an individual contributor responsible for managing material procurement activities related to New Product Introduction (NPI) and Engineering Change Orders (ECO/ECR). This role partners closely with R&D Engineering, Manufacturing, Planning, Quality, and Suppliers to ensure timely material availability, controlled transitions between part revisions, and seamless execution of product launches and engineering changes. This position plays a critical role in minimizing excess and obsolete inventory, mitigating supply risk, and ensuring cost, quality, and schedule objectives are achieved during product development and lifecycle changes.

*** This is a hybrid position requiring 3 or more days per week onsite at Spacelabs headquarters in Snoqualmie, WA. You will need to be onsite full time for training (approximately 1-2 months).***

• Partner with R&D, Engineering, and Program Management to support new product development projects.
• Source and procure prototype, pilot, and pre‑production materials.
• Identify and qualify new suppliers in collaboration with Supplier Quality and Engineering.
• Manage RFQs, cost analysis, lead‑time evaluation, and supplier selection.
• Develop material readiness plans aligned with NPI project milestones.
• Proactively identify supply risks and develop mitigation strategies.

• Review and assess Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) and Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) for material impact.
• Coordinate with procurement team to plan and execute material cut‑over strategies from old revision to new revision.
• Coordinate last‑time‑buy (LTB) activities where required and request approval from managers.
• Minimize excess and obsolete (EO) exposure during transitions.
• Communicate implementation plans across Planning, Manufacturing, and Suppliers.
• Track execution to ensure clean revision transitions.

• Place and manage purchase orders for NPI and ECO‑related materials.
• Monitor supplier delivery performance and expedite as required.
• Align material availability with build schedules.
• Maintain accurate system data (ERP/MRP parameters, lead times, pricing, etc.).
• Support demand alignment during ramp‑up and phase‑out activities.

• Provide ongoing purchasing and supply chain support to R&D Engineering.
• Support design for supply chain (DFSC) initiatives including cost reduction and lead‑time improvement.
• Provide cost estimates for new designs and engineering projects.
• Participate in cross‑functional project meetings and provide material status updates.
• Support value analysis/value engineering (VA/VE) and cost reduction initiatives.
• Uphold the company’s core values of Integrity, Innovation, Accountability, and Teamwork.
• Demonstrate behavior consistent with the Company’s Code of Ethics and Conduct.
• Report quality problems or defects to the manager or senior management for corrective action to prevent recurrence.
• Duties may be modified or assigned at any time to meet the needs of the business.

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, engineering, or related discipline; additional relevant experience may substitute for degree.
• 5+ years of purchasing or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting NPI and engineering change processes required.
• 3+ years’ experience in a medical device organization.
• Strong understanding of ERP/MRP systems.
• Solid understanding of BOM structures and revision control.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Analytical mindset with strong cost and risk assessment capability.
• Effective cross‑functional communication skills.
• Proactive problem‑solving ability.
• High attention to detail.
• Must be able to travel domestically up to 5%.
• Key performance measurements include:
  • On‑time material readiness for NPI builds.
  • Successful ECO implementation without production disruption.
  • Reduction of excess and obsolete inventory due to engineering changes.
  • Supplier on‑time delivery performance.
  • Cost performance against…