Supply Chain Category Manager

Carl Zeiss Vision Canada Inc.; Chesterfield (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ZEISS is seeking a Category Manager to join the global procurement team in the United States, driving cost reduction, strategic sourcing, vendor management, and supplier relocations to the Chesterfield facility. You will partner with Quality Management, R&D, and global procurement to achieve supply chain goals.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in procurement, strong contract negotiation skills, and ERP/MRP experience (SAP/Fishbowl). Travel to Asian and European markets may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• 5+ years in supply chain with at least 3 in procurement.
• Proven success in strategic procurement in regulated industries.
• Strong contract negotiation and supplier performance management experience.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems (SAP/Fishbowl preferred).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and use of AI.

Responsibilities

• Partner with engineering, Production, and global Supply Chain to identify initiatives for growth.
• Localize and manage global sourcing; lead relocation projects to Chesterfield.
• Identify procurement risks and collaborate with teams to implement mitigations.
• Qualify global suppliers supporting site performance and long-term goals.
• Plan and execute supplier relocations using the global supplier network.
• Build strong supplier relationships to improve cost, quality, lead time, and service.
• Utilize SAP, Fishbowl, and other ERP/MRP systems.
• Ensure regulatory compliance across functions with the procurement team.
• Track KPIs like PPV, supplier performance, and availability.
• Set global category strategies and support continuity in regulated environments.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Head of Global Category Management.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Cost reduction

Supplier relationship management

Contract negotiation

Risk mitigation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management/Business Administration

Tools

SAP

Fishbowl

Microsoft Office

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.

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: Maria Khalil

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).