Strategic Buyer

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! 

Location: Maple Grove, MN Hybrid, 3 days in office and 2 days remote.

What’s the role?  

Seeking a Strategic Buyer to provide purchasing leadership for effective sourcing and procurement of project orders and assigned categories to meet requirements of Carl Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions, LLC and Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology, LLC.

These responsibilities require that optimum quality, delivery, price, and service are provided by an aligned supply base to meet 100% customer service performance metrics by effectively monitoring the performance of suppliers against contractual standards and achieving continuous improvements in costs and performance. 

Sound Interesting?  

Here’s what you’ll do:  

• Effectively manage supplier selection to meet quality, service, delivery, cost, risk mitigation, and supplier capabilities to meet requirements.
• Actively negotiate with suppliers to address quality, delivery, price, or service discrepancies. 
• Obtaining quotes and conducting quote analysis
• Effectively lead continuous improvement projects and ZEISS ACS Supplier Performance initiatives with supply base.
• Develop comprehensive product cost driver tool to evaluate and negotiate prices.
• Provide recommendations of alternative materials or new processes, which may bring technological advancement to product designs for the enhancement of ZEISS’s competitive position.
• Assure purchased product costs and Outline Agreements are accurately established and maintained in SAP.
• Monitoring project timelines and issuing purchase orders to meet delivery requirements
• Continually evaluate industry trends to determine potential impact on ZEISS and initiate action to ensure reliable continued flow of materials to the company.
• Collaborate and develop strong relationships with other procurement, manufacturing, quality, and project management staff members in developing and implementing procurement policies, procedures, strategies, materials management systems, and supporting programs.
• Engage corporate quality, business unit(s), and suppliers in the First Article Inspection process (FAI) to support product changes.
• Effective communication and engagement with wide range of ZEISS leadership levels.

Do you qualify?  

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, mechanical engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 3 years of purchasing experience
• Minimum of one-year experience with SAP.
• Analytical abilities to assess the performance of suppliers against criteria such as quality, cost, reliability, ability to innovate and financial stability.
• Financial skills to assess the total cost of procurement.
• Interpersonal and negotiating skills necessary to build effective working relationships with supply partners.
• Strong negotiation skills with knowledge of law and contracts and agency
• Strong project management and procurement methods
• Strong oral and written communication skills 
• Ability to work with a wide range of technical, sales, manufacturing, management personnel and business process owners

Working Conditions and Special Demands:

• Ability to work flexible hours (nights and weekends).
• Must be a team player across the organization.
• Ability and willingness to travel in the USA and internationally

The annual pay range for this position is $63,000 – $79,000.

The pay offered for this role may be influenced by factors such as job location, scope of role, qualifications, education, experience, & complexity/specialization/scarcity of talent.

This position is also eligible for a performance bonus or sales commissions. 

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! 

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team:

Holly Greenwood-Mosher

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).