Carl Zeiss - Head - Supply Chain Management

Head of Supply Chain Management

ZEISS is a globally renowned technology leader in optics and optoelectronics, operating across Medical Technology, Vision Care, Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, and Industrial Quality & Research.

Carl Zeiss India serves as a key growth market within the ZEISS global network, delivering high-precision medical equipment, diagnostic systems, vision solutions, and industrial technologies across India through a robust sales and service ecosystem.

The SCM Head (India) will serve as the strategic leader of end-to-end supply chain operations for the India business, reporting directly to the Head of Operations and forming part of the India leadership team.

This role carries full accountability for supply chain strategy, operating model design, capital efficiency, service excellence, risk governance, and digital transformation.

The incumbent will architect a resilient, scalable, and technology-enabled supply chain that supports business growth across medical equipment, precision optics, and heavy engineered systems.

Strategic Mandate:1. Enterprise Supply Chain Strategy:

• Define and execute the long-term India supply chain strategy aligned with business expansion, profitability, and global integration objectives.

• Design a scalable operating model covering planning, procurement, warehousing, distribution, and P2P governance.

• Embed supply chain as a competitive advantage - balancing service, cost, speed, and resilience.

2. Business Partnership & Growth Enablement:

• Act as a strategic partner to Sales, Service, Finance, and Commercial leadership to enable revenue growth and customer satisfaction.

• Build supply chain capabilities to support new product introductions, technology upgrades, and market expansion.

• Ensure readiness for high-value, sensitive, and heavy equipment logistics requiring precision handling and compliance rigor.

3. Financial Stewardship & Working Capital Optimization:

• Own supply chain P&L elements including logistics costs, warehousing costs, and procurement efficiency.

• Drive working capital optimization through inventory strategy, demand forecasting maturity, and supplier terms management.

• Lead cost transformation initiatives through network redesign, automation, and vendor rationalization.

4. Digital Transformation & Systems Enablement:

• Champion a digitally integrated supply chain leveraging ERP, WMS, and TMS platforms supported by advanced analytics.

• Institutionalize data-driven decision-making across planning, procurement, and distribution.

• Drive automation and process standardization to improve accuracy, visibility, and scalability.

5. Operational Excellence & Network Design:

• Lead multi-location warehousing and distribution strategy across India, ensuring optimal network design and throughput efficiency.

• Drive world-class standards in warehouse design, storage optimization, and material flow management.

• Establish structured S&OP governance to ensure alignment between demand, supply, and financial plans.

6. Risk, Compliance & EHS Governance:

• Build a resilient supply chain capable of managing geopolitical risks, supplier concentration, regulatory changes, and global disruptions.

• Ensure compliance with statutory, import/export, and safety regulations in alignment with ZEISS global standards.

• Embed a culture of safety, quality, and ethical procurement across the supply chain ecosystem.

7. Leadership & Organizational Capability:

• Build and mentor a high-performing leadership team across planning, procurement, warehousing and logistics.

• Establish strong governance forums, KPI dashboards, and performance review rhythms.

• Drive change management and capability building to future-proof the supply chain organization.

Experience & Profile:

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in end-to-end supply chain management, with at least 5+ years in a senior leadership capacity.

• Prior experience in heavy machinery, medical equipment, high-value engineered products, or precision technology sectors preferred.

• Proven track record of leading multi-site supply chain networks with strategic transformation exposure.

• Strong commercial acumen with demonstrated success in cost optimization, contract negotiation, and working capital management.

• Deep understanding of S&OP, digital supply chain tools, and network optimization.

• Experience in globally matrixed organizations with cross-border stakeholder engagement.