Supply Chain Category Manager

Zeiss Group in; Chesterfield (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

ZEISS is seeking a Category Manager to drive cost reduction, strategic sourcing, and supplier management for our Chesterfield facility. You will coordinate with Global Supply Chain, Quality Management, and R&D to relocate procurement activities and ensure supply continuity in a regulated environment.

You will lead supplier evaluations, negotiate contracts, manage KPIs, and develop category strategies across global networks. Travel internationally is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• APICS/ASCM CSCP certification or equivalent preferred.
• 5+ years in supply chain with 3+ in procurement within regulated industry.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Business Management, Engineering, Production and global Supply Chain to identify initiatives for growth.
• Localize sources and manage global sourcing.
• Lead procurement risk mitigation and collaborate with global team to implement solutions.
• Identify and qualify global suppliers supporting site performance and long-term goals.
• Plan and execute supplier relocations using global supplier network.
• Build strong supplier relationships to drive cost, quality, lead time and service improvements.
• Utilize ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Fishbowl) to manage procurement.
• Manage regulatory compliance cross-functionally with Supplier Quality Management.
• Track and report on KPIs like COGS, PPV, and supplier performance.
• Continuously assess supplier risk and implement mitigation strategies.
• Set up global category strategies and implement them across the supply chain.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by Head of Global Category Management.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Supplier performance management

Cost savings leadership

ERP/MRP (SAP/Fishbowl)

Microsoft Office & AI tools

Global travel experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

APICS/ASCM CSCP certification

Tools

SAP

Fishbowl

Job description

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!

What’s the role? The Category Manager is a key member of the Zeiss global procurement team, responsible for driving initiatives related to cost reduction, strategic sourcing, vendor management, relocation projects, risk mitigation, contract negotiation, and long-term strategic planning. This role plays a critical part in supporting business objectives to maintain a competitive supply chain strategy. In addition to leading continuous improvement initiatives, the position is responsible for managing the procurement part in take over projects to our facility in Chesterfield, while partnering closely with Quality Management, R&D and the local and global procurement team to achieve overall supply chain goals.

Sound Interesting? Here’s what you’ll do:

• Partner closely with Business Management, Engineering, Production and global Supply Chain teams to identify and prioritize initiatives that enable business growth
• Localize sources where applicable and manage global sourcing as well.
• Lead efforts to identify procurement risks, develop mitigation strategies, and collaborate with the global procurement team to implement solutions.
• Identify and qualify global suppliers that support site performance, global category performance and long-term business goals.
• Plan and execute supplier relocations utilizing the global suppler network
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to drive improvements in cost, quality, lead time, and service, while fostering long-term partnerships.
• Utilize ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Fishbowl)
• Manage regulatory compliance cross-functionally with Supplier Quality Management and global procurement team
• Track, analyze, and report on key procurement KPIs, including COGS, purchase price variance (PPV), supplier performance
• Continuously assess supplier risk and implement mitigation strategies to ensure supply continuity in a regulated environment.
• Set up global strategies for assigned category and implement category strategies for our global supply chain.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Head of Global Category Management.

Key Metrics:

• Cost savings and Purchase Price Variance (PPV) due to effective category strategy
• Availability of qualified suppliers and products according to project plans and technology roadmaps
• Supplier Performance for assigned category (contractual coverage, Number of high risk suppliers, Quality and cost down performance)

Do you qualify?

• Education & Experience: 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 strategic procurement in a regulated industry
• Strong background in contract negotiation, supplier performance management, and leading cost savings initiatives.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems (SAP/Fishbowl preferred). Proficiency in Microsoft Office and use of AI.
• Experience in Asian and European supply markets incl. global travel
• APICS/ASCM or CSCP certification.

Work Authorization Requirement:

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.

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team:

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).

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. Join us today. Inspire people tomorrow.

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.