Senior ORProject Buyer

At KARL STORZ, we take pride in helping patients
through some of the toughest journeys of their lives.
We are making contributions that matter.
Regardless of your role, YOU improve patients' lives every day

From the operating room to surgery centers-and everywhere in between-KARL STORZ North America is a global leader in medical technology and advanced visualization solutions. We design specialty innovations, smart instruments and devices, integrated ecosystems, and intelligent imaging-to build a more connected, software-enabled operating room.

As an independent, family-owned Med Tech company, we ambitiously think in generations instead of quarters to improve patients' lives around the world.

KARL STORZ is seeking a Senior Project Buyer to lead end-to-end procurement activities across key projects and purchasing categories. This role will develop and execute sourcing strategies while balancing cost, quality, delivery, technical requirements, and long-term supply continuity.

As a senior commercial partner, you’ll work closely with Engineering, Project Management, Quality, Operations, and our global procurement network to lead supplier selection and negotiations, manage commercial and supply risk, and ensure materials are ready for a successful transition into production.

This role requires up to 20% travel
.

Lead competitive sourcing processes, including RFPs, RFQs, and RFIs, for complex project and material requirements.

Develop and execute project and category sourcing strategies focused on total cost, quality, delivery, capacity, compliance, and supply continuity.

Identify, evaluate, qualify, onboard, and develop suppliers in partnership with Engineering, Supplier Quality, Legal, Risk, Master Data, and Operational Procurement.

Lead supplier negotiations, commercial bid evaluations, cost breakdowns, benchmarking, and total-cost-of-ownership analyses.

Manage contracts, NDAs, supplier agreements, purchase orders, and other commercial documentation in accordance with procurement and legal requirements.

Build strategic supplier relationships and lead supplier performance, risk, capacity, and continuity discussions.

Develop mitigation strategies for supplier risks, including alternate sourcing, capacity planning, inventory strategies, and recovery plans.

Partner with Engineering and project teams to translate technical, electrical, mechanical, and quality requirements into actionable sourcing plans.

Lead procurement activities throughout prototyping, design transfer, product release, and sustaining phases.

Lead make-versus-buy and buy-versus-buy assessments and present data-driven recommendations to senior leadership.

Develop procurement schedules, identify critical-path materials, monitor supplier commitments, and proactively elevate project risks.

Oversee key Material Requirements Planning and demand forecasting activities, including inventory analysis, backorder mitigation, PO reporting, and inventory turns.

Collaborate with Marketing and Product Management to develop demand and supply plans.

Maintain accurate SAP purchasing records, supplier confirmations, pricing conditions, purchase orders, and material data.

Track and report procurement KPIs, including savings, cost avoidance, supplier performance, lead times, sourcing progress, and project risk.

Coordinate the hand-off of released materials, supplier agreements, sourcing documentation, and open actions to Operational Purchasing.

Mentor Project Buyers and provide onboarding, coaching, and practical guidance without direct supervisory responsibility.

Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities across sourcing, procurement processes, supplier collaboration, and data quality.

5+ years of relevant procurement, sourcing, supply chain, or transferable experience.

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Business, Accounting, Manufacturing, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant work experience.

Demonstrated experience with strategic sourcing, supplier selection, contract negotiation, commercial analysis, and supplier risk management.

Strong SAP or comparable ERP/MRP experience, including purchase orders, supplier data, pricing, and material master management.

Experience developing and executing material group or category sourcing strategies.

Experience managing projects and partnering with cross-functional teams.

Strong analytical skills with the ability to review large amounts of data and translate findings into actionable…