NPI Sourcing Specialist

Position Purpose

The NPI Sourcing Specialist is responsible for executing procurement and sourcing activities within New Product Introduction (NPI) projects. The role ensures timely availability of parts, suppliers, pricing, and commercial agreements to support development builds, product launches, and transition to series production.

The position works closely with R&D, Engineering, Quality, Program Management, Category Management, and local procurement teams. It covers the full NPI sourcing lifecycle—from supplier selection and quotation through first article approval and structured handover to sustaining procurement.

Key Responsibilities

NPI Sourcing & Procurement Execution

• Execute sourcing and purchasing activities for new parts and materials within NPI projects
• Prepare and manage RFQs, analyze supplier quotations, and recommend sourcing decisions
• Negotiate prices, delivery terms, Incoterms, and commercial conditions
• Create and manage purchase orders for prototype, pilot, and launch builds
• Ensure material availability in line with NPI project plans and milestones
• Support sourcing strategies increasingly focused on Higher-Level Assemblies (HLAs) and collaboration with Contract Manufacturers (CMs), including coordination of technical, commercial, and supply readiness aspects

Supplier Selection & Category Alignment

• Select suppliers from the Preferred / Approved Supplier List (PSL / ASL) in cooperation with Category Management
• Support identification, evaluation, and onboarding of new suppliers when required
• Assess supplier capability, capacity, readiness, and risk for NPI requirements
• Promote early supplier involvement to support cost, manufacturability, and supply stability
• Consider sustainability, ethical sourcing, and environmental impact criteria during supplier evaluation and selection, in alignment with Thermo Fisher Scientific values and policies

Cost, Risk & Compliance Management

• Perform cost analysis and support cost-to-target and design-to-cost activities
• Monitor and mitigate supply, cost, and timing risks during development and launch phases
• Ensure compliance with internal procurement policies, quality systems, and contractual agreements
• Maintain accurate procurement and project data in ERP / PLM systems
• Ensure suppliers fulfill regulatory and compliance requirements, including REACH, RoHS, Prop 65, and related documentation and certifications

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with R&D and Engineering to understand technical requirements and support sourcing decisions
• Act as the procurement interface within NPI project teams
• Collaborate with Quality on supplier qualification and approval activities
• Coordinate with local procurement teams to ensure alignment and transparency

Supplier Qualification & Handover

• Support suppliers through first article and qualification processes (e.g., PPAP / EMPB / FAI)
• Ensure sourcing readiness for production launch
• Execute structured handover of approved parts, suppliers, pricing, and documentation to local / site procurement teams
• Ensure completeness and accuracy of supplier documentation during first article and qualification processes (PPAP/EMPB/FAI), including regulatory declarations and certificates, in close collaboration with Quality

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or a related field or completed vocational training in a commercial profession with relevant experience
• Several years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or project purchasing, preferably in an NPI or manufacturing environment
• Hands-on experience with RFQs, quotation evaluation, negotiations, and purchase order management
• Experience working with cross-functional teams (e.g., R&D, Quality, Supply Chain)
• Structured, analytical, and self-driven working style
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Fluent English required; German language skills (written and spoken) are strongly preferred and highly beneficial

Key Competencies

• Execution-focused and detail-oriented mindset
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a project-based environment
• Proactive risk identification and problem-solving
• Effective collaboration in a matrix organization
• Attention to detail in regulatory, quality, and documentation requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in regulated or technology-driven manufacturing environments
• Knowledge of supplier qualification and first article processes (PPAP / EMPB / FAI)
• Experience of working with international suppliers
• Experience sourcing Higher-Level Assemblies (HLAs) and working with Contract Manufacturers (CMs) in an NPI or industrialized product environment.
• Familiarity with category management or preferred supplier models
• ERP experience (e.g., SAP)

As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.