Job Description This position is responsible for end-to-end procurement of New Product Introduction (NPI) programs, from concept and design through prototype, pilot, qualification, and release to manufacturing.
The Senior NPI Buyer is a driving force in shaping the future of NPI purchasing—owning material strategy, building digital ways of working, and turning ambiguity into measurable, repeatable processes.
The role blends strategic sourcing influence, program execution, and automation leadership to ensure Cognex can build faster, smarter, and more reliably.
Own procurement for assigned NPI projects from early design through qualification and handover to mass production.
Engage early in product development to influence sourcing decisions,leveragingcostand lead-time analysis tools.
Convert costed BOMs into actionable purchasing plans (PBOM) for long-lead components and risk buys.
Executepurchasingstrategies for prototype and pilot builds, including inventory and non-inventory POs, samples, and tooling.
Manage material planning and forecasting to ensuretimelysupply for engineering builds,qualificationphasesand product launch.
Coordinate with Contract Manufacturers (CMs) to manage build readiness, shortage reports, and delivery commitments.
Implement automation tools (e.g., Power Automate) to streamline PO creation, request tracking, and reporting.
Develop andmaintainClean-to-Build dashboards for visibility of material readiness across all build phases.
Collaborate cross-functionallywith Engineering, Operations, and Sourcing to resolve supply issues and drive continuous improvement.
Capture and document lessons learned to build a knowledge repository of common issues, solutions, and process improvements.
Support supplier engagement for samples, tooling, and quick-turn solutions; contribute to cost analysis for new components.
Provide input on CM performance for Quarterly Business Reviews and support sourcing strategies for new products.
Requirements Strong understanding of procurement and supply chain principles for NPI environments.
Ability to interpret and analyze complex BOMs, ECOs, and technical documentation.
Skilled in material planning, forecasting, and vendor/CM management.
Solution-driven mindset with ability tooperatein ambiguity and create structure from unstructured processes.
Proficiencyin automation tools (Power Automate, dashboards) and ERP systems (SAP).
Strong analytical skills for cost modeling and lead-time risk assessment.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills for cross-functional alignment.
Ability to drive continuous improvement and embed new ways of working.
Preferred Background Experience in NPI purchasing or technical procurement (5+ years).
Exposure to sourcing engineering, technical project management, or engineering disciplines.
Proventrack recordin implementing process improvements and automation.
Comfortable managing multiple projects in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Minimum Education and Work Experience Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field.
3+ years in procurement, supply chain, or NPI purchasing roles.