Shaping medical innovation at ZEISS
For more than 100 years, ZEISS Medical Technology has been driving progress in ophthalmology and microsurgery. In ophthalmology, our solutions help maintain and improve people's vision at every stage of life. In microsurgery, our solutions enable highly precise interventions so that small and sensitive organs continue to function optimally.
Our technologies support medical professionals worldwide in improving patients’ lives – the direct impact of our work on people’s well‑being is what drives us every day.
As part of our Global Series Procurement – Direct Materials team, you will be responsible for securing the supply of mechanical components for our medical devices and systems. You will drive cost efficiency, lead improvement initiatives and negotiate strategic contracts in a global, high‑tech environment. You will join a team of 6 Global Lead Buyers (2 per category: mechanics, electronics, photonics), based in Oberkochen and Jena.
Your Role
1. Manage strategic international purchasing with a main focus on mechanical components for series production
2. Ensure uninterrupted global supply for your assigned product groups and drive cost and condition improvements
3. Develop and manage suppliers, including performance reviews, risk assessments and escalation handling
4. Negotiate and draft contracts (purchase, delivery and service) and optimize commercial and contractual terms
5. Lead cross-functional teams (e.g. R&D, Quality, Operations) to solve supply issues and implement improvements
6. Analyze prices, cost structures and delivery performance and derive concrete optimization measures
7. Prepare reports and decision papers for Procurement Management and relevant steering committees
8. Represent ZEISS in meetings and negotiations with suppliers, including national and international business trips
9. Work with SAP MM and supplier management tools and contribute to KPI reporting and process optimization
10. Mentor trainees, students and apprentices in the procurement area
Your Profile
11. A completed 4‑year university degree (e.g. master’s degree in business administration, industrial engineering, logistics, commerce or a comparable field)
12. 8+ years of professional experience in strategic purchasing across at least three different product groups, ideally in a technologically sophisticated and/or regulated environment (e.g. medical devices, automotive, aerospace, high‑tech manufacturing)
13. A distinct strategic mindset and the ability to translate category strategies into concrete initiatives and results
14. Proven negotiation strength and assertiveness, with a track record in complex international negotiations
15. Extensive experience in supplier management, escalation management, contract negotiations and contract drafting
16. Business fluent English skills (spoken and written)
17. Very good German skills (min. C1 level) to effectively collaborate with internal and external stakeholders in Germany
18. Knowledge of additional foreign languages is a plus (preferably French or Chinese)
19. Advanced user skills in SAP MM and MS Office (especially Excel and PowerPoint)
20. Willingness to travel up to 50% globally
21. Willingness to work on‑site at least 3 days per week
Your ZEISS Recruiting Team:
Ramazan Azgin