SOFTWARE SALES MANAGER Research Quality Solutions (Italy & and Italian-speaking Switzerland)

Carl Zeiss S.p.A.; Lombardia; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

Meal vouchers

Corporate welfare benefits

LinkedIn Learning license

Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

ZEISS is seeking a Software Sales Manager to drive growth of the PIWEB software suite across Italy and neighboring regions. You will own the full sales cycle, develop the Italian market and collaborate with pre-sales, application, and project teams to deliver value to manufacturing customers.

Ideal candidates have a technical background and 8+ years in enterprise software sales for MES/PLM/QMS/CAQ, with strong IT ecosystem knowledge and a consultative, hunter mindset.

Qualifications

• Technical diploma or university degree.
• 8+ years in enterprise software sales related to manufacturing, quality, data and processes (MES, PLM, QMS, CAQ).
• Strong knowledge of industrial IT ecosystems (data, traceability, integrations, digital architectures).
• Consultative approach with ability to engage diverse stakeholders (COO, CEO, Heads of Operations and Quality, IT Managers).
• Team-oriented mindset; project or client management experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full sales cycle of the PIWEB software solution.
• Develop the Italian market, including Italian-speaking Switzerland as the launch region for EMEA expansion.
• Identify new high-potential customers across industrial sectors and beyond.
• Lead complex decision-making processes involving stakeholders from Operations, Quality, IT, Digital, and top management.
• Apply a value-selling approach, translating software capabilities into tangible customer benefits.
• Build and manage a solid pipeline, including multi-plant projects, in collaboration with pre-sales, application, and project management teams.

Skills

Enterprise software sales

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Data architectures

Education

Technical diploma or university degree

Job description

Founded in Jena in 1846, today ZEISS is a global company with more than 48,000 employees across around 50 countries, driving innovation in research, medical technology, quality assurance and consumer products. As the pioneer of science in optics, we continue to challenge the limits of our imagination. For our Research Quality Solutions business unit, which delivers end-to-end solutions for industrial metrology in both laboratory and production environments, we are looking for a Software Sales Manager to accelerate the growth of our stand‑alone software business across EMEA, starting with Italy. In this role, you will focus strongly on the PIWEB software suite, one of our key solutions for data management and reporting, capable of significantly improving performance and quality across manufacturing processes.

What will you be responsible for?

• Managing the full sales cycle of the PIWEB software solution
• Developing the Italian market, including Italian‑speaking Switzerland as the launch region for EMEA expansion
• Identifying new high‑potential customers across industrial sectors and beyond
• Leading complex decision‑making processes involving stakeholders from Operations, Quality, IT, Digital, and top management
• Applying a value‑selling approach, translating software capabilities into tangible customer benefits
• Building and managing a solid pipeline, including multi‑plant projects, in close collaboration with internal pre‑sales, application, and project management teams, as well as with corporate teams

What does it take to succeed in this role?

• Technical or scientific educational background (technical diploma or university degree)
• At least 8 years of experience in enterprise software sales related to manufacturing, quality, data, and processes (MES, PLM, QMS, CAQ)
• Strong knowledge of industrial IT ecosystems (data, traceability, integrations, digital architectures)
• A consultative approach and strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders (COO, CEO, Heads of Operations and Quality, IT Managers)
• Team‑oriented mindset, both in project environments and client management
• Excellent active listening, negotiation, and end‑to‑end customer management skills, even in complex and fast‑changing scenarios
• A strong "hunter" mindset combined with a structured and professional approach
• Willingness to take on challenging opportunities and thrive in dynamic, evolving environments

What we offer

• Employment terms: Permanent contract under the Italian Collective Agreement Terziario Confcommercio, annual gross salary range Euro 55.000-60.000 plus a variable component based on target achievement.
• Benefits: Company car, meal vouchers, corporate welfare benefits, LinkedIn Learning license, and a range of wellbeing initiatives, including counseling services, wellbeing‑focused sessions and company events designed to foster engagement and a sense of belonging.
• Preferred location: Milan area or nearby
• Scope: Developing the Italian market and Italian‑speaking Switzerland as the starting point for broader EMEA expansion (occasional travel to headquarters and other European countries)
• Language requirements: Fluent in English (both written and spoken)
• Start date: as soon as the right candidate is identified

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.