Sourcing Manager MRO APAC

Job description

Primary Function of Position The Strategic Sourcing Manager MRO (reporting to Director Sourcing, APAC) will lead sourcing initiatives for indirect spend categories related to maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) as well aspects of research and development, to ensure Intuitive Surgical (Intuitive) secures services and products at optimal value. This role plays a pivotal part in driving innovation by supporting our internal teams. Key spend categories include R&D lab equipment, consumables, safety equipment and supplies (PPE), and preventative maintenance and calibration services. The individual will work closely with Intuitive's engineering teams, operations, and supplier quality departments. This role will additionally support other indirect procurement spend categories such as facilities, real estate, construction, utilities, workplace services, professional services, and warehousing, storage, and logistics services. The precise split of these categories across the APAC indirect procurement team may be refined as the team structure evolves. As this role will serve as a greenfield position at a facility under construction, it requires a candidate with experience establishing procurement operations from the ground up — including standing up supplier relationships, building category baselines, and supporting site readiness activities ahead of and during facility launch. Given Intuitive's standing as a regulated medical device company, the candidate must be comfortable navigating compliance requirements that intersect with MRO procurement — including calibration standards, PPE/safety regulations, and documentation practices aligned with quality and regulatory expectations. The ideal candidate will possess the ability to conduct comprehensive supplier and category/market research, including market index analysis, data analysis, baseline development, RFP development, bid management, contract negotiations, offer analysis, and category strategy development. This role also involves post-bid management activities, such as contract and business reviews, spend analysis, and supplier management. Additionally, the candidate will manage multiple projects concurrently and support ad-hoc project requests. 1. Supplier Relationship Management: Build and sustain strong supplier partnerships to promote collaboration, trust, and mutual success. Act as the main liaison for suppliers concerning performance and strategic initiatives. Regularly review supplier performance, evaluate capabilities, and implement plans to boost performance and reliability. Set global standards to evaluate supplier performance and minimize business risks. For the greenfield site: proactively identify, qualify, and onboard new suppliers in the APAC region ahead of facility launch, establishing relationships where no incumbent base exists. 2. Strategic Sourcing: Independently manage the RFx or strategic sourcing process for complex projects, from initiation to completion. Analyze spending patterns and conduct market and supplier assessments to uncover cost-saving and innovation opportunities. Lead cross-functional teams to develop category strategies aligned with business goals and market trends. Optimize buying channels and create strategies for assigned spend categories, considering Procure to Pay (P2P) requirements. Provide comprehensive financial analysis for bid comparisons and alternative proposals. Support greenfield site readiness by executing sourcing activities on accelerated timelines, coordinating with facilities, operations, and engineering to meet site launch milestones. 3.Sourcing Operations & Pipeline Management: Manage sourcing intake by receiving, evaluating, and triaging stakeholder requests across the APAC site. Prioritize sourcing requests based on business urgency, spend impact, and strategic alignment, operating within the Indirect Procurement governance model. Maintain visibility of the sourcing pipeline — tracking active projects, upcoming RFx activity, and contract renewals — and communicate status to key stakeholders and procurement leadership. Operate within established Indirect Procurement governance frameworks, ensuring consistency in process, approvals, and reporting across the region. 4. Contract Management: Negotiate and manage supplier contracts, ensuring compliance with company policies and industry standards. Monitor contract performance and compliance with terms and conditions. Possess in-depth knowledge of terms and conditions included in MRO and related R&D contracts. Identify opportunities for contract optimization or consolidation to enhance cost efficiency and reduce risks. Secure favorable terms, quality, service compliance, and discounts while mitigating company risk. 5. Category Management: Establish a baseline for current spend categories and define future success criteria considering business goals and market conditions. Analyze market trends, risks, and potential new suppliers. Define key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the health of managed spend categories. Implement spend treatment plans for all levels of spend and risk within the category. Work with suppliers and stakeholders to execute the category strategy. Contribute to and track savings targets — including cost savings and cost avoidance — aligned with Indirect Procurement goals; provide regular reporting on savings performance to procurement leadership. Required Skills and Experience 6+ years of experience, with at least 4 years in a strategic sourcing & category management role. Proven experience working with suppliers and stakeholders for MRO categories. Experience working within a regulated industry (e.g., medical devices, life sciences, aerospace), with the ability to navigate compliance requirements that intersect with procurement activities. Greenfield or site-launch experience — demonstrated ability to build procurement operations, supplier bases, and category frameworks from the ground up. Exceptional negotiation skills, capable of guiding teams through complex and ambiguous situations. Strong conceptual thinking abilities to navigate and resolve intricate challenges. Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, suitable for engaging with team members and company leadership. Superior analytical skills to quickly assess situations, perform root cause analysis, and draw meaningful conclusions. Extensive experience in managing change across diverse stakeholder groups. Proven ability to influence senior leadership on strategic directions, value propositions, and sourcing recommendations. Strong skills in contract and vendor negotiation to secure favorable outcomes. Ability to build consensus and act as an impartial mediator to achieve sourcing objectives without compromising service quality or increasing risk/cost. Experience managing sourcing intake, prioritizing requests, and maintaining pipeline visibility within an indirect procurement governance model. Expertise in concurrently managing multiple projects and tasks, with a solid understanding of business requirements and project management methodologies. Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy with minimal supervision. Proficient in listening, understanding, and communicating effectively with employees at all levels. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within Intuitive and with suppliers. Required Education and Training Minimum Bachelor’s Degree Required (Business, Supply Chain management, Finance, or related discipline preferred) Languages: English, Malay. Any other Asian language will be a plus. Intuitive is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws. U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer: In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR §743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employees who are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status. Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the government’s licensing process can take 3 to 6+ months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan (“TCP”) (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process). For any Intuitive role subject to export controls, final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employee’s start date, which may or may not be flexible, and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable, candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes. This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending on business need and/or on the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge and skills. Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the candidate’s qualifications, consistent with applicable law. At Intuitive, we are united behind our mission: we believe that minimally invasive care is life-enhancing care. Through ingenuity and intelligent technology, we expand the potential of physicians to heal without constraints. As a pioneer and market leader in robotic-assisted surgery, we strive to foster an inclusive and diverse team, committed to making a difference. For more than 25 years, we have worked with hospitals and care teams around the world to help solve some of healthcare's hardest challenges and advance what is possible. Intuitive has been built by the efforts of great people from diverse backgrounds. We believe great ideas can come from anywhere. We strive to foster an inclusive culture built around diversity of thought and mutual respect. We lead with inclusion and empower our team members to do their best work as their most authentic selves. Passionate people who want to make a difference drive our culture. Our team members are grounded in integrity, have a strong capacity to learn, the energy to get things done, and bring diverse, real world experiences to help us think in new ways. We actively invest in our team members to support their long-term growth so they can continue to advance our mission and achieve their highest potential.