Senior Procurement Specialist

About Us

ZEISS has been in business for over 179 years, pioneering science and handling ever-changing environments with cutting-edge technologies and continuous advancements. We believe innovation and technology are key to a sustainable future and solutions for global change. With a diverse range of portfolios in Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, Consumer Markets, and Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, ZEISS is a global company with over 42,000 employees, including over 4,000 in the US and Canada.

Responsibilities

• Partner closely with Finance, Engineering, Production, and Supply Chain teams to identify and prioritize initiatives that reduce cost of goods sold (COGS), lead times, and defect rates.
• Manage the procurement of raw materials required for production, ensuring on-time availability while optimizing inventory levels and minimizing excess.
• Lead efforts to identify procurement risks, develop mitigation strategies, and collaborate with the global procurement team to implement solutions.
• Work with Sourcing to identify and qualify global suppliers that support site performance and long-term business goals.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to drive improvements in cost, quality, lead time, and service, while fostering long-term partnerships.
• Collaborate with the Procurement team to negotiate and manage supplier contracts, focusing on total cost of ownership, quality compliance, and lead-time reduction.
• Utilize ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Fishbowl) to support effective material planning and procurement execution.
• Partner cross-functionally with Planning, Engineering, R&D, Quality, and Production to align procurement strategies with business and regulatory requirements.
• Track, analyze, and report on key procurement KPIs, including COGS, purchase price variance (PPV), inventory turns, supplier performance, and stock availability.
• Continuously assess supplier risk and implement mitigation strategies to ensure supply continuity in a regulated environment.
• Develop and enhance procurement policies, procedures, and best practices to support scalability, efficiency, and compliance.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Head of Supply Chain & Logistics.

Key Metrics

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

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in supply chain roles, with at least 3 years in a Procurement role.
• Demonstrated success responsible for raw material procurement in a regulated industry (medical device, pharmaceutical, or similar).
• Strong background in contract negotiation, supplier performance management, and leading cost savings initiatives.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems (SAP preferred).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams).

Preferred Qualifications

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

Work Authorization

This position requires unrestricted authorization to work in the United States. This role is not eligible for current or future employment visa sponsorship or visa transfers.

Benefits

• Medical
• Vision
• Dental
• 401k Matching
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Vacation and sick pay