Senior Buyer

Brief Description: Senior Buyer – Full‑Time, Exempt, Madison, WI (Onsite).

About the role

NeuWave Medical develops image‑guided microwave ablation systems, accessories, and software that enable physicians to treat tumors in minimally invasive procedures. This technology allows patients to be treated in outpatient settings, reducing procedural complexity and recovery times. As the company expands its portfolio and advances new development programs, it is building an Operations team that keeps high‑quality product flowing to the physicians and patients who depend on it. The Senior Buyer is a key member of the Operations team, responsible for the end‑to‑end procurement of the materials, components, and services that support both ongoing production and New Product Development (NPD). The role manages sourcing across domestic and international suppliers—including contract‑manufactured products—to ensure continuity of supply for NeuWave’s capital systems, accessories, and single‑patient‑use consumable probes while partnering with R&D to source and qualify components for next‑generation products.

Responsibilities

• Sourcing & Supplier Management:
  • Manage and execute sourcing activities in alignment with company strategy, policies, and procedures.
  • Develop and manage supplier relationships to drive optimization in cost, quality, delivery, and service—including contract management, negotiation, and issue resolution.
  • Partner with Manufacturing and Quality Engineering to evaluate supplier capability, capacity, cost, and overall suitability, and support supplier qualification and performance monitoring.
  • Serve as the procurement interface for contract‑manufactured products, coordinating supply continuity and demand signals with third‑party manufacturing partners.
• Procurement & Materials Management:
  • Procure materials for the manufacture and shipment of finished product—identifying and ordering proper quantities, negotiating pricing and shipment terms, and overseeing timely delivery to fulfill customer orders.
  • Manage procurement activity within assigned budget parameters and drive cost‑savings and cost‑avoidance initiatives.
  • Place, expedite, and manage purchase orders to meet production schedules, ensuring on‑time delivery and minimizing excess and obsolescence of purchased materials.
• New Product Development Sourcing:
  • Partner with NPD program teams to source prototype and development components and to identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers early in the design process.
  • Support design transfer and new part introductions, ensuring supply readiness and lead‑time management for a smooth transition to production.
  • Contribute to make‑versus‑buy analyses, supplier selection, and cost estimation during product development.
  • Manage procurement of long‑lead, custom, and engineered‑to‑order components for development builds, and support engineering change implementation from a supply‑continuity standpoint.
• Quality, Compliance & Continuous Improvement:
  • Ensure purchasing activities comply with FDA regulations (21 CFR 820), ISO 13485, applicable international requirements, and NeuWave’s Quality Management System.
  • Identify, develop, and report metrics (KPIs) that showcase the performance of the buying function and inform continuous improvement.
  • Exhibit proactive communication across Operations, Manufacturing, Logistics, Quality, and R&D, and escalate business‑related issues or opportunities to appropriate management.
  • Maintain professional and technical knowledge through workshops, publications, networks, and professional societies; perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Logistics, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 5–7 years of progressive procurement or purchasing experience, preferably in a medical device or other FDA‑regulated / ISO 13485 manufacturing environment.
• Hands‑on experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, or similar) and proficiency with Microsoft Excel for analysis and reporting.
• Demonstrated strength in negotiation, contract management, and supplier development.
• Working knowledge of MRP/ERP‑driven purchasing and materials management principles.
• Familiarity with purchasing controls and supplier management requirements under a regulated QMS; experience sourcing for New Product Development / new product introduction strongly preferred.
• Excellent communication, organization, and cross‑functional collaboration skills, with a proactive, ownership‑oriented mindset.

Physical Requirements

Primarily an office‑based role involving extended periods of sitting and computer use. Periodic time in manufacturing, warehouse, and receiving areas; ability to don and wear required personal protective equipment (PPE). Ability to occasionally lift and move items up to 25 lb and to stand, walk, and bend in production and inventory areas.

Travel Requirements

Up to 10 % domestic travel, including occasional supplier and contract‑manufacturer site visits.

Location

This position is based onsite in Madison, WI.