Strategic Buyer

About Us:

How many companies can say they've been in business for over 179 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!

Location/Region: Dublin, CA

What's the role?

Working within the Hiring Manager's team, we are looking for a Strategic Buyer / Category Manager to take responsibility for the strategic management of a dedicated category, such as Electronics, Mechanics, IT Software & Hardware, Third-Party Products, Emitters, or Detectors.

Sound Interesting?

Here's what you'll do:


* Develop and implement cross-site category strategies across the USA, Germany, UK, Italy, China, and India.


* Conduct global market analyses and manage supplier selection, qualification, and performance to meet requirements for quality, service, delivery, cost, risk, innovation, and capability.


* Ensure supply continuity by monitoring industry trends, assessing supplier and market risks, and initiating mitigation measures that strengthen supply-chain resilience.


* Identify and develop new suppliers and propose alternative materials, technologies, or manufacturing processes to support series production and NPI projects.


* Lead national and international commercial and contractual negotiations, and resolve supplier discrepancies relating to quality, delivery, price, or service.


* Develop and apply product cost-driver and total-cost models to benchmark, evaluate, and negotiate prices and deliver agreed savings targets.


* Ensure purchased-product costs, source data, and outline agreements are accurately established and maintained in SAP.


* Lead continuous-improvement initiatives and contribute to standardized procurement policies, procedures, KPIs, materials-management systems, and digital tools.


* Collaborate closely with operational procurement, NPI project buying, manufacturing, quality, project management, and other business partners to implement category strategies and supporting programs.


* Build strong supplier and internal stakeholder relationships and communicate effectively with ZEISS leaders at all organizational levels.

Do you qualify?


* At least three years of relevant purchasing experience in one or more technical categories, such as formed or extruded metals, plastics, machined parts, mechanical components, or electrical components.


* Strong technical understanding of the assigned categor...