Principal Buyer - Prototype Purchasing & Logistics (Surgical)

About the role

Medtronic is seeking a Principal Buyer for Prototype Purchasing and Logistics to support its Robotics advanced development team. The role owns the operational flow needed to build and sustain engineering laboratories, custom test systems and development prototypes, and is based at the Mervue Campus in Galway.

Key responsibilities

• Sourcing laboratory equipment, instrumentation, fixtures, tooling, custom machined and additive parts, PCBAs, sensors, motors, cables, electromechanical assemblies, consumables and specialist services.
• Partnering with Engineering and R&D to turn technical requirements, drawings, bills of material and specifications into clear purchasing actions.
• Placing purchase orders and managing the full order lifecycle, including expediting, receipt coordination and resolution of invoice or delivery discrepancies.
• Maintaining visibility of order status, lead times, risks and expected delivery dates across a high volume of purchases routed through Ireland.
• Negotiating pricing, lead times, minimum-order quantities and commercial terms with suppliers, and establishing recovery plans when milestones are at risk.
• Coordinating domestic and international shipments, freight arrangements, shipping documentation and import/export activities including customs and Incoterms.
• Driving continuous improvement in purchasing visibility, supplier responsiveness and inter-site logistics, and supporting supplier onboarding and compliance.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business, Engineering, Operations or a related discipline with 7+ years of relevant experience, or a master's/advanced degree with 5+ years.
• Demonstrated operational purchasing, procurement, material planning or logistics experience in an engineering, R&D or complex manufacturing environment.
• Experience sourcing technical components, lab equipment and custom parts from specifications and drawings.
• Experience coordinating domestic and international shipments and working with freight providers and customs.
• Desirable: experience in medical devices, healthcare, robotics, electronics or another highly regulated industry.

Required skills

• Working knowledge of purchase-to-pay processes, supplier onboarding and ERP or procurement systems such as SAP, Ariba, Candex or comparable platforms.
• Strong supplier management and commercial negotiation skills.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• A recognised procurement or supply-chain certification (e.g. CIPS, ISM CPSM, ASCM CSCP) is advantageous.

What we offer

• Salary range in Ireland of 77,200 to 115,800 EUR, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Eligibility for the Medtronic Incentive Plan (MIP).
• A wide range of benefits and resources.