We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on - 26 Apr 2026

 

At Medtronic you can begin a life-long career of exploration and innovation, while helping champion healthcare access and equity for all. You’ll lead with purpose, breaking down barriers to innovation in a more connected, compassionate world.

A Day in the Life

         

         

At Medtronic, we seek out and hire a diverse workforce at every level. We need fresh ideas and inclusive insights to continue to be an innovative industry leader. That’s why we attract, develop, and retain employees who are patient‑centric, passionate, and who represent the same wide variety of life experiences as our patients.

We are currently seeking an Associate Buyer/Planner (Operations Planner) to join our Medtronic campus in Santa Ana, CA. This entry‑level to early‑career role supports supply chain planning and procurement activities for external service partners supporting the Santa Ana and Irvine sites. The Associate Buyer/Planner will support day‑to‑day execution of purchasing, materials planning, and supplier coordination activities while learning Medtronic’s supply chain processes, systems, and quality requirements. This role works closely with cross‑functional partners to ensure continuity of supply, adherence to quality standards, and alignment with business priorities.

At Medtronic, we bring bold ideas forward with speed and decisiveness to put patients first in everything we do. In-person exchanges are invaluable to our work. We’re working a minimum of 5 days a week onsite as part of our commitment to fostering a culture of professional growth and cross-functional collaboration as we work together to engineer the extraordinary. This position will work onsite at our campus in Santa Ana, California.

Key Responsibilities include:

Procurement & Purchasing Support

• Support the procurement of goods and services from approved external suppliers in accordance with sourcing strategies and contracts
• Assist with purchase order creation, tracking, and follow‑up to ensure on‑time delivery

Planning & Scheduling

• Support materials planning, demand alignment, and capacity coordination with service providers
• Assist in maintaining purchasing and planning parameters within MRP/ERP systems

Supplier Coordination

• Communicate with suppliers regarding delivery schedules, order status, and basic issue resolution
• Support supplier performance tracking and escalation of issues to senior team members as needed

Inventory Management

• Monitor inventory levels and help identify risks related to shortages or excess inventory
• Support inventory accuracy and data integrity through regular analysis and reporting

Data & Performance Monitoring

• Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) related to delivery, inventory, and supplier performance
• Use data to support continuous improvement initiatives and decision‑making

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Operations, Sourcing, Engineering, Quality, and Scheduling teams to support business execution
• Participate in cross‑functional meetings and provide planning and procurement support

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure purchasing and planning activities comply with Medtronic policies, quality system requirements, and applicable regulations
• Support documentation and audit readiness activities as required

Continuous Improvement & Teamwork

• Contribute to process improvement initiatives within procurement and planning
• Work collaboratively with the broader supply chain team to meet departmental goals

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with MRP/ERP systems (SAP or Blue Yonder preferred)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel
• Strong analytical, data management, and quantitative skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with a collaborative, team‑oriented mindset
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to connect detailed tasks to broader business objectives
• Working knowledge of quality systems and good manufacturing practices
• Experience in a regulated environment (medical device, pharmaceutical, or similar)
• APICS and/or CPM certification
• Basic understanding of cost accounting principles
• Familiarity with contract concepts (supply, services, NDAs)
• Lea