Manager, Materials

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 ever changing 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!

The Materials Manager leads the site’s procurement and planning functions, ensuring the timely, compliant, and cost-effective acquisition of all raw materials required to support manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for planning/scheduling, inventory level management, supplier performance, and purchasing execution within a regulated medical device environment.

The Position Directly Manages Three Roles

Planning Manager – responsible for production planning, finite scheduling, and capacity planning.

Buyer – responsible for purchasing services, packaging, consumables, and MRO.

Global Sourcing Manager – responsible for sourcing materials for research and development projects.

The Materials Manager establishes optimal inventory levels, drives supplier performance, and ensures alignment with company objectives for service, cost, quality, and regulatory compliance.

• Lead the planning and coordination of raw material requirements to support production schedules.
• Maintain optimal FG material inventory levels to balance availability, working capital, and risk.
• Collaborate with warehouse management to ensure receiving, material flow, and distribution activities are accurate and efficient.
• Ensure all materials are available at the right time, in the right quantity, and at the right quality to support uninterrupted operations.
• Utilize systems tools (Fishbowl) and ERP/MRP (SAP) to drive accurate material planning and replenishment.

• Direct procurement of raw materials required for production, ensuring on-time availability while minimizing excess inventory.
• Oversee procurement of services, packaging, consumables, and MRO through the site Buyer.
• Guide the Global Sourcing Manager in identifying and qualifying suppliers for R&D materials.
• Identify, assess, and develop suppliers to support cost, quality, and innovation goals.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, terms, and service-level agreements with a focus on total cost of ownership and lead-time reduction.
• Analyze market trends to mitigate supply risks and leverage cost or availability opportunities.
• Continuously evaluate supplier risk and establish mitigation strategies to ensure supply continuity.

• Manage, coach, and develop a high-performing procurement and planning team with clear goals, KPIs, and professional development paths.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, R&D, Quality, and Finance to ensure procurement strategies align with operational and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintain procurement policies, procedures, and best practices that support scalability, efficiency, and compliance.
• Support strategic initiatives, cost improvement projects, and continuous improvement activities across the site.

• Track, report, and act on key procurement and supply chain metrics, including inventory turns, stockouts, PPV, COGS, and supplier OTD/quality performance.
• Implement corrective actions and continuous improvement activities based on KPI performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of Supply Chain & Logistics.

• Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)
• Purchase Price Variance (PPV)
• Inventory Turns
• Supplier Performance (On-time Delivery, Quality, Lead Time)

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations,…