Global Lead Buyer Mechanics (f/m/x) (m/w/d)

Manage strategic international purchasing with a main focus on mechanical components for series production

Ensure uninterrupted global supply for your assigned product groups and drive sustainable cost and condition improvements

Develop and manage suppliers, including performance reviews, risk and escalation management and long‑term supplier development

Lead and execute complex contract negotiations (purchase, delivery and service contracts) and actively contribute to contract drafting and optimization

Lead cross-functional and international teams (e.g. task forces, project teams across sites) to resolve supply issues and implement preventive measures

Contribute to and implement category strategies and translate them into concrete projects and actions

Analyze prices, cost structures, delivery performance and risks and derive specific optimization measures

Prepare and present decision papers and status reports for Procurement Management and steering committees – including regular participation in management boards

Represent ZEISS in meetings and negotiations with suppliers, including national and international business trips

Work with SAP MM, MS Excel and reporting tools, maintain relevant master data where required and support KPI reporting and process optimization

Support and mentor trainees, students and apprentices in the procurement area and contribute to a strong, collaborative team culture

A completed 4‑year university degree (e.g. master's degree in business administration, industrial engineering, logistics, commerce or a comparable field)

5+ years of professional experience in strategic purchasing across at least different product groups, ideally in a technologically sophisticated and/or regulated environment (e.g. medical devices, automotive, aerospace, high‑tech manufacturing)

A distinct strategic mindset and proven experience in strategy development and implementation in procurement or category management

Demonstrated leadership experience, for example in leading task forces or smaller international, cross‑site project teams

Proven negotiation strength and assertiveness, with a strong track record in demanding, international purchasing and contract negotiations

Extensive experience in supplier management, escalation management, contract negotiations and contract drafting

Business fluent English skills and very good German skills (min. C level), enabling confident communication and presentations at management level

Strong IT skills: in particular SAP MM, very good Excel skills and solid experience with reporting tools

A pronounced technical interest and the ability to understand mechanical products and production contexts beyond pure commercial aspects

Excellent communication skills, team orientation and the ability to build trustful relationships with internal and external stakeholders

High stress resilience, a positive mindset, humor, as well as initiative, creativity and strong prioritization and time‑management skills

Willingness to travel up to globally and to work predominantly on-site in Oberkochen (with regular visits to Jena)