Production Supervisor

It started with a simple idea: what if surgery could be less invasive and recovery less painful? Nearly 30 years later, that question still fuels everything we do at Intuitive. As a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care, our technologies—like the da Vinci surgical system and Ion—have transformed how care is delivered for millions of patients worldwide.

We’re a team of engineers, clinicians, and innovators united by one purpose: to make surgery smarter, safer, and more human. Every day, our work helps care teams perform with greater precision and patients recover faster, improving outcomes around the world.

The problems we solve demand creativity, rigor, and collaboration. The work is challenging, but deeply meaningful—because every improvement we make has the potential to change a life.

If you’re ready to contribute to something bigger than yourself and help transform the future of healthcare, you’ll find your purpose here.

Primary Function of Position

Drives achievement of team performance goals towards weekly and quarterly production targets; Drives continuous improvement initiatives focused on clearing barriers, improving clarity, increasing predictability and efficiency within the Production environment; Coaches direct reports, supporting development in alignment with needs of the business and personal growth goals; Manages direct reports to ensure adherence to prescribed guidelines and supports career development.

Essential Job Duties

• Hire, train, develop, and motivate production personnel to follow procedures, meet high quality standards, production schedules and productivity requirements
• Meet weekly and quarterly production goals set forth per SIOP 
• Monitor team’s performance in safety, quality, productivity, and efficiency and take appropriate actions to improve.
• Manage and monitor production KPIs and take actions to correct trends
• Plan, supervise, drive improvement, and report production performance including output, yields, root cause failures, efficiencies, and trends
• Manage production capacity with respect to the demand and escalate gaps to management as necessary
• Address line support issues as they arise, including tissue-based and technical-related issues
• Proactively identify and act upon barriers affecting production work streams
• Work closely with supporting departments to resolve production issues and actively participating in quality improvement initiatives
• Identify strengths and opportunities within the team and leverage those for better team performance.  Recognizes and awards outstanding performance.
• Identifies conflict and understands appropriate handling and escalation.  Recognizes early warnings and mitigate conflict.
• Promotes individual responsibility and fast decision making. Understands the why behind projects and tasks, decisions made in alignment with business needs and priorities and can communicate to the team effectively.
•  Lead cross functional projects, set goals, influence and drive the meetings. Demonstrate ability in leading continuous improvement initiatives on manufacturing lines.
• Works with Training department to ensure team training is up to date and effectiveness is monitored.
• Document, report and escalate any variances, problems, issues, or concerns
• Ensure procedural compliance (MPI adherence, process adherence, etc.) within area of ownership
• Provide production personnel with expectations and performance feedback quarterly and during team stand-ups
• Write and conduct formal annual performance reviews for production personnel
• Enforce strict adherence to the applicable SOPs of the Quality System
• Learn and enforce company safety policies (including PPE policy) and practices and develop safety project initiatives and line risk assessments
• Lead or support various Lean Manufacturing initiatives that involve a Mfg. based team
• Support sub-assembly or process outsourcing initiatives
• Review and disposition discrepant material, escalating as needed once meeting agreed upon thresholds
• Implement corrective actions to prevent recurrences
• Drive process improvements to control material Usage / reduce scrap
• Drive Intuitive Culture Strategy by fostering our mission, founding principles, individual and leadership expectations
• Support corporate Quality improvement implementations and lead QA Improvements
• Ensure on-time completion of all training ISU related for associates under direct supervision
• Complete Payroll activities for direct reports
• Willing and ready to jump in to fill any gaps/ areas of needs as they arise in accordance with management direction

Required Skills and Experience

• Experience in a manufacturing environment; minimum of 3 years required.

• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, experience driving LSS projects
• Proficient in the use of personal computers to perform daily work
• Familiar with the Microsoft Office suite of programs; Fluency in Excel
• Comfortability and experience communicating regularly using a web-based program (ZOOM or similar)
• Hands-on, shoulder to shoulder leader; Not afraid to get hands dirty, learn processes and execute them with team.
• MRP system, SAP and Agile experience or similar program required.
• Possesses excellent communication skills, including written and verbal instruction

Required Education and Training

• High school diploma or equivalent

Working Conditions

• Ability to lift and carry up to 20 lbs.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5+ years of supervisory experience
• Experience supervising teams of 20+ technician/material handler level employees
• Experience in the medical device industry (or other regulated industry) is preferred
• Manufacturing Experience 7+ years
• LSS Green or Black Belt preferred
• The ideal candidate will have a love for a fast-paced and multi-focused work environment
• Go get it, can do attitude

We are an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disabled employer.

Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19.  Details can vary by role.

Intuitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.

Mandatory Notices

U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer:  In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR §743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employees
who are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.

Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the government’s licensing process can take 3 to 6+ months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan (“TCP”) (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).  

For any Intuitive role subject to export controls, final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employee’s
start date, which may or may not be flexible, and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable, candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes. 

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates who do not reside, or plan to reside, in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Tennessee.

This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending on
business need and/or on the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the
candidate’s qualifications, consistent with applicable law.

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, benefits, and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role, as actual pay will be determined based on several factors, including experience, skills, and qualifications. The target compensation ranges are listed.