Job Title

Position Overview ZEISS India is seeking a visionary and experienced strategic Head of Procurement to lead its indirect procurement function across all business units and operational domains including Sales & Service organization, Manufacturing operations, Supply Chain, Facilities & Real Estate, and the Global Capability Center (GCC). The ideal candidate will spearhead vendor negotiations, vendor life-cycle management, drive digital transformation within procurement, and establish resilient and strategic indirect procurement processes. This is a high-impact leadership role requiring cross-functional collaboration, strong commercial acumen, digital savviness, and a deep understanding of strategic sourcing in a global matrix organization. Key Responsibilities 1. Strategic Procurement Leadership Develop and execute the overall procurement strategy for ZEISS India aligned with global procurement standards and local operational needs. Champion cost optimization and value creation through strategic sourcing and total cost of ownership (TCO) models. Build a best-in-class indirect procurement function across IT, HR, travel, marketing, logistics, professional services, facilities, and MRO categories. 2. Vendor & Contract Management Lead complex vendor negotiations ensuring optimal cost, quality, risk, and compliance outcomes. Develop long-term partnerships with key suppliers to foster innovation and supply assurance. Lead quarterly business reviews with key vendors & internal stakeholders to design plans to improve sourcing and drive efficiency. Establish robust governance models, supplier performance KPIs, and periodic review mechanisms. 3. Digital Transformation in Procurement Define and implement a roadmap for digital procurement transformation - leveraging tools such as Jaggaer, SAP/S4HANA, Coupa, or other relevant technologies. Drive automation of procurement workflows, supplier onboarding, e-sourcing, and analytics-led decision-making. Collaborate with the global and IT teams to ensure procurement systems integration and data integrity. 4. Operational Excellence & Compliance Standardize procurement policies, processes, and templates across the organization in line with global ZEISS policies. Ensure adherence to internal controls, ethical sourcing standards, and regulatory compliance. Implement category management, spend analysis, and demand forecasting to improve procurement planning and agility. 5. Cross-functional Collaboration Partner with business unit leaders in Manufacturing, Sales & Service, Supply Chain, Facilities Management, and the GCC to anticipate needs and align sourcing strategies. Act as a strategic advisor to the leadership team on supplier markets, cost trends, and sourcing risks. Coordinate closely with the Finance team to set up efficient processes to improve transparency and speed in procurement to pay cycle. Lead and mentor a team of procurement professionals, fostering a high-performance and continuous improvement in culture. Qualifications & Experience Education: MBA in Supply Chain, Operations, or Business Administration; Engineering degree preferred. Experience: 12–18 years of progressive procurement experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role. Proven success in leading indirect procurement and digital transformation initiatives in a global or multinational environment. Strong track record in high-value vendor negotiations and strategic sourcing. Proficiency in procurement technologies (SAP S4HANA, Jaggaer, PowerBI or equivalent) and advanced data analytics. Knowledge of Indian and global regulatory and compliance frameworks related to procurement. Key Competencies Strategic Thinking & Business Acumen Influencing & Stakeholder Management Change Leadership & Digital Fluency Negotiation & Contract Management Financial and Analytical Rigor Strong Communication & People Development Why ZEISS? At ZEISS India, we are shaping the future of optics and optoelectronics. As part of a globally renowned innovation-driven company, you’ll contribute to impactful work across industries - healthcare, semiconductors, industrial quality assurance, and more. Join us in driving excellence in procurement that supports our mission of "Seeing Beyond" .