NPD Materials Specialist
About the job
- A bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Technology, or a related field.
- Three or more years of experience in purchasing, procurement operations, material planning, supply chain, or manufacturing support.
- Experience working with bills of material, demand forecasts, and supplier management.
- Fluent English at C1 level.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- A strong understanding of procurement, suppliers, and material planning.
- Ability to interpret and manage bills of material and product structures.
- Organizational and follow-up skills, communication and stakeholder management abilities, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Detail orientation, ownership, accountability, problem-solving, and risk mitigation abilities.
- Create and maintain Plan for Every Part records for assigned new product development projects, including bill of material structures, supplier information, forecasts, lead times, pricing, and delivery status.
- Track and report material readiness for validation builds, pilot builds, and product launches.
- Maintain open-order, shortage, and delivery-status reports.
- Place and manage temporary indirect purchase orders before SAP purchasing processes are established.
- Coordinate and expedite supplier deliveries to meet critical project timelines.
- Work with suppliers to resolve delivery risks and material shortages.
- Support procurement-related SAP master data setup required for product launches.
- Assist in converting temporary purchase orders into SAP purchase orders once system setup is complete.
- Ensure procurement data is accurate and ready for transition into routine operations.
- Partner with NPD Procurement Engineers, Supply and Demand Planning teams, Manufacturing Buyer/Planners, and suppliers.
- Drive resolution of material issues and supply chain risks.
- Lead the formal handoff of suppliers, forecasts, purchase orders, and Plan for Every Part data to the factory Buyer/Planner as projects move into production.
- Support launch stabilization activities to ensure continuity of supply.
- Experience with SAP, Ariba, or other ERP systems.
- Previous experience supporting New Product Introductions or new product development and product launches.
About the company
Smith+Nephew is a global medical technology company that designs and makes medical devices for orthopaedics, sports medicine, and advanced wound care. Its products help surgeons treat joints and soft tissues and support patient recovery, including knee repair systems, single-use negative pressure wound therapy devices, and other extremity orthopaedic products. These devices are used in hospitals and clinics to perform procedures and support healing, often after surgery or injury. The company differentiates itself with a broad, worldwide product portfolio and collaborations with healthcare organizations to improve care and efficiency for patients and providers. Its goal is to improve patient outcomes, streamline medical procedures, and expand access to advanced medical solutions around the world.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Watford, United Kingdom
Founded
1856
Get referred to Smith+Nephew
See people who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Q1 2026 revenue reached $1.5 billion, and full-year guidance stayed intact on May 6.
- New launches in 2026 include CORI XT, FLOW FLEXTEND, and ALLEVYN COMPLETE CARE.
- August 2026 H1 results showed 4.6% growth, $200 million efficiency savings, and $500 million buyback.
What critics are saying
- Reuters on August 4, 2026 cut revenue guidance to around 4% after weak U.S. knees.
- Smith+Nephew’s finance chief John Rogers exits September 30, 2026, creating leadership churn.
- A March 2026 humeral nail recall and older hip litigation expose recurring quality risk.
What makes Smith+Nephew unique
- Smith+Nephew’s CORI XT robotics spans knee, shoulder, and future hip workflows.
- Its ASC Solutions bundles facility design, financing, and clinical enablement for outpatient surgery.
- ALLEVYN, RENASYS, and LEAF create a broad wound-care platform with measurable outcomes.
Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?
Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- 401(k) Company Match
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Flexible Work Hours
- Parental Leave
- Fertility Treatment Support
- Family Planning Benefits
- Tuition Reimbursement