Commodity Manager

Commodity Manager

📍 Cambourne, UK | 🕒 37 Hours per Week

Carl Zeiss Microscopy is seeking an experienced Commodity Manager to join its Supply Chain team in Cambourne. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a global organisation renowned for its high-technology systems and innovation.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing a dedicated commodity area and developing global procurement strategies across multiple ZEISS sites in the UK and Germany. This role plays a key part in ensuring supply security, managing supplier relationships, and supporting the delivery of complex, high-technology products.

The Role

As a Commodity Manager, you will work closely with colleagues across Supply Chain, R&D, NPI and Production to manage supplier performance, drive innovation and ensure the resilience of the supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement cross-site commodity strategies across ZEISS locations in the UK and Germany
• Conduct global procurement market analysis and identify suitable suppliers
• Select, qualify and manage suppliers in collaboration with production teams
• Ensure supply security by monitoring risks and maintaining a resilient supply chain
• Identify and onboard new suppliers to drive innovation and competitiveness
• Lead contract negotiations with national and international suppliers
• Manage pricing benchmarks and cost negotiations to achieve savings targets
• Collaborate with operational purchasing, strategic purchasing and NPI teams
• Support the development of standardised supply chain processes, KPIs and IT tools

About You

We are looking for a commercially minded professional with strong analytical and negotiation skills who thrives in a collaborative, international environment.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong technical knowledge within your assigned commodity area
• Experience working with complex or high-technology products
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Strong negotiation skills, including experience with international contracts
• Analytical and structured approach to problem solving
• Ability to develop and implement innovative supply chain solutions
• Proficiency with SAP (particularly MM modules) and Microsoft Office
• Ability to manage and analyse large data sets and present key insights

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in international supply chain management or procurement
• Degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent relevant experience)
• Fluent English (German language skills are advantageous)

Additional Information

• 📍 Location: ZEISS House, Cambourne, UK
• ✈ Travel: Occasional travel to Germany and supplier locations (up to 20%)
• 🕒 Hours: 37 hours per week
• 💰 Salary: Competitive Salary
• 🎁 Benefits: Standard ZEISS Ltd benefits package including discretionary annual bonus

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team: