About Us:

How many companies can say they’ve been in business for over 177 years?!

Here at ZEISS, we certainly can! As the pioneers of science, ZEISS handles the everchanging environments in a fast-paced world, meeting it with cutting edge of technologies and continuous advancements. ZEISS believes that innovation and technology are the key to a sustainable future and solutions for global change. We have a diverse range of portfolios throughout the ZEISS family in segments like, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, Consumer Markets and Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology. We are a global company with over 42,000 employees and have over 4,000 in the US and Canada alone! Make a difference, come join the team!

What’s the role?  

The Materials Manager leads the site’s procurement and planning functions, ensuring the timely, compliant, and cost-effective acquisition of all raw materials required to support manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for planning/scheduling, inventory level management, supplier performance, and purchasing execution within a regulated medical device environment.

The position directly manages three roles:

Planning Manager – responsible for production planning, finite scheduling, and capacity planning. Buyer – responsible for purchasing services, packaging, consumables, and MRO. Global Sourcing Manager – responsible for sourcing materials for research and development projects.

The Materials Manager establishes optimal inventory levels, drives supplier performance, and ensures alignment with company objectives for service, cost, quality, and regulatory compliance.

Sound Interesting?

Here’s what you’ll do:

Planning & Materials Management

• Lead the planning and coordination of raw material requirements to support production schedules.
• Maintain optimal FG material inventory levels to balance availability, working capital, and risk.
• Collaborate with warehouse management to ensure receiving, material flow, and distribution activities are accurate and efficient.
• Ensure all materials are available at the right time, in the right quantity, and at the right quality to support uninterrupted operations.
• Utilize systems tools (Fishbowl) and ERP/MRP (SAP) to drive accurate material planning and replenishment.

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Direct procurement of raw materials required for production, ensuring on-time availability while minimizing excess inventory.
• Oversee procurement of services, packaging, consumables, and MRO through the site Buyer.
• Guide the Global Sourcing Manager in identifying and qualifying suppliers for R&D materials.
• Identify, assess, and develop suppliers to support cost, quality, and innovation goals.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, terms, and service-level agreements with a focus on total cost of ownership and lead-time reduction.
• Analyze market trends to mitigate supply risks and leverage cost or availability opportunities.
• Continuously evaluate supplier risk and establish mitigation strategies to ensure supply continuity.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Manage, coach, and develop a high-performing procurement and planning team with clear goals, KPIs, and professional development paths.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, R&D, Quality, and Finance to ensure procurement strategies align with operational and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintain procurement policies, procedures, and best practices that support scalability, efficiency, and compliance.
• Support strategic initiatives, cost improvement projects, and continuous improvement activities across the site.

Performance Management

• Track, report, and act on key procurement and supply chain metrics, including inventory turns, stockouts, PPV, COGS, and supplier OTD/quality performance.
• Implement corrective actions and continuous improvement activities based on KPI performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of Supply Chain & Logistics.

METRICS

• Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)
• Purchase Price Variance (PPV)
• Inventory Turns
• Supplier Performance (On-time Delivery, Quality, Lead Time)

Do you qualify?

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in supply chain or procurement roles, including at least 3 years managing a team.
• Proven experience managing raw material procurement in a regulated environment (medical device, pharmaceutical, biotech, etc.).
• Proven experience managing the planning/scheduling of a manufacturing facility in a regulated environment.
• Strong skills in contract negotiation, supplier management, cost reduction, and risk mitigation.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems; SAP strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams).

Preferred:

• APICS/ASCM CPIM or CSCP certification.
• Lean Six Sigma experience (Green Belt preferred).
• Experience in global sourcing and supplier development.

We have amazing benefits to support you as an employee at ZEISS!

• Medical
• Vision
• Dental
• 401k Matching
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Vacation and sick pay 
• The list goes on! 

 ZEISS is an EEO/AA/M/F/Disabled Veteran Employer

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team:

Clara Cresswell

Zeiss provides Equal Employment Opportunity without unlawful regard to an Applicants race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, citizen status, sexual orientation, pregnancy (includes childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical condition), genetic predisposition, carrier status, gender expression or identity, including transgender identity, or any other class or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law of the employee (or the people with whom the employee associates, including relatives and friends).