Senior OR1 Project Buyer

Job description

About KARL STORZ 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 MedTech company, we ambitiously think in generations instead of quarters to improve patients’ lives around the world. About the Role 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 . What You’ll Do 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 escalate 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. What You Bring 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 recommendations. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills. Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing business needs. What Will Make You Successful Master’s degree in Supply Chain or a related discipline and/or certifications such as CPSM, CPIM, CSCP, or equivalent credentials. Experience creating and presenting make-versus-buy, buy-versus-buy, supplier selection, and commercial recommendations to senior leadership. Advanced Microsoft Excel and broader Microsoft Office Suite skills. Strong knowledge of Material Requirements Planning, demand forecasting, inventory management, and SAP. Ability to combine financial and business acumen with strong supplier negotiation and relationship-management skills. Experience working across global, multicultural, and cross-functional teams. Ability to constructively challenge sourcing assumptions and identify opportunities for value engineering, standardization, cost reduction, and supply-chain improvement. A results-oriented, self-motivated approach with the ability to work independently while effectively influencing stakeholders across multiple functions. Strong knowledge within assigned purchasing categories and the ability to serve as a procurement subject-matter expert. Why KARL STORZ? Join KARL STORZ and be part of a team creating medical innovations that truly make a difference. Beyond technology, you’ll be part of a culture that values talent as its greatest asset, empowering you to contribute to a mission that improves patient care worldwide. Ready to make an impact? Apply to be our next Senior Project Buyer and help us build the future of MedTech together.