Transfer Project Manager – Global Manufacturing Ramp-up (f/m/x)

ZEISS Group; Ulm; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

ZEISS Group is seeking a Senior Program Lead to drive the establishment and ramp-up of a new production site, coordinating across Engineering, Operations, Quality, IT, Regulatory Affairs, HR, Finance and Procurement. The role focuses on safeguarding supply continuity, quality, and regulatory compliance while transitioning from existing global locations.

The ideal candidate has extensive leadership experience in regulated manufacturing, with a track record in international site establishment,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Natural Sciences, Business Administration, or a comparable field.
• 10+ years of leadership experience in operational, shopfloor-related project or program roles.
• Experience in establishing international manufacturing sites, relocations or transfers.
• Hands-on expertise in ramp-ups, equipment commissioning, process validation, documentation, and stabilization of series production.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end program roadmap with milestones and deliverables.
• Lead the integrated ramp-up of a new production site with the Site Industrialization Project Lead and cross-functional coordination.
• Manage the transition of manufacturing activities between global sites with minimal disruption and supply continuity.
• Establish program governance including steering committees, clear RACI structures, and escalation paths.
• Drive progress on infrastructure, equipment commissioning, regulatory registrations, and budget management.
• Monitor risks, dependencies, and reporting to senior stakeholders, initiating corrective actions.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional

Project management

Manufacturing ramp-up

Regulatory knowledge

International experience

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree

Job description

Step out of your comfort zone, excel and redefine the limits of what is possible. That's just what our employees are doing every single day – in order to set the pace through our innovations and enable outstanding achievements. After all, behind every successful company are many great fascinating people.

In a spacious modern setting full of opportunities for further development, ZEISS employees work in a place where expert knowledge and team spirit reign supreme. All of this is supported by a special ownership structure and the long‑term goal of the Carl Zeiss Foundation: to bring science and society into the future together.

Diversity is a part of ZEISS. We look forward to receiving your application regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, philosophy of life, disability, age, sexual orientation or identity.

Seeing beyond - future of medical technology

For more than 100 years, ZEISS medical technology has been driving progress in ophthalmology and microsurgery. In ophthalmology, our solutions help to maintain and improve people’s vision at every stage of their lives. In microsurgery, our solutions enable targeted interventions on diseased tissue so that small and sensitive organs continue to function optimally. Medical technology from ZEISS supports medical professionals in improving the lives of patients worldwide. The fact that our actions have a direct impact on people’s well‑being is what drives us every day.

Join us in shaping the future of medical technology by leading a complex, international manufacturing transformation. You will drive the establishment and ramp‑up of a new production site while ensuring a smooth transition from existing global manufacturing locations – safeguarding supply continuity, quality, and regulatory compliance throughout.

Your Role

Join us today. Inspire people tomorrow.

Aufgaben

For more than 100 years, ZEISS medical technology has been driving progress in ophthalmology and microsurgery. In ophthalmology, our solutions help to maintain and improve people’s vision at every stage of their lives. In microsurgery, our solutions enable targeted interventions on diseased tissue so that small and sensitive organs continue to function optimally. Medical technology from ZEISS supports medical professionals in improving the lives of patients worldwide. The fact that our actions have a direct impact on people’s well‑being is what drives us every day.

Join us in shaping the future of medical technology by leading a complex, international manufacturing transformation. You will drive the establishment and ramp‑up of a new production site while ensuring a smooth transition from existing global manufacturing locations – safeguarding supply continuity, quality, and regulatory compliance throughout.

• Own and continuously steer the end‑to‑end program roadmap, translating strategic objectives into executable plans, milestones, and deliverables
• Lead the integrated ramp‑up of a new production site together with the Site Industrialization Project Lead, coordinating functions including Engineering, Operations, Quality, IT, Regulatory Affairs, HR, Finance, and Procurement
• Manage the transition of manufacturing activities from existing global sites while minimizing operational disruption and ensuring continuity of supply
• Establish effective program governance, including steering committees, cross‑functional routines, clear RACI structures, decision‑making processes, and transparent escalation paths
• Drive integrated progress on infrastructure, equipment commissioning, capability building, legal‑entity setup, production licenses, and regulatory registrations
• Monitor program budget, risks, dependencies, and key decisions; initiate corrective actions and provide transparent reporting to senior stakeholders

Profil

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Natural Sciences, Business Administration, or a comparable field
• Extensive professional experience—ideally at least ten years—including proven leadership experience in operational, shopfloor‑related project or program roles
• Demonstrated experience in international manufacturing site establishment, relocation, or transfer projects, preferably in greenfield or brownfield environments
• Hands‑on expertise in manufacturing ramp‑ups, covering equipment commissioning, process qualification, validation, documentation, and the stabilization of series production
• Strong experience leading cross‑functional teams in regulated manufacturing environments; familiarity with ISO 13485, MDR, FDA quality systems, Lean Manufacturing, or Six Sigma is highly valued
• Fluent English and willingness to work regularly—and increasingly—at the ramp‑up location; German and/or Kannada language skills, international mobility, and flexibility across time zones are an advantage

Important note

Please be advised that a valid work permit for Germany is required for non‑EU citizens. Unfortunately, applications without a valid work permit and sufficient German language skills may not be considered.

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