Distribution and Inventory Manager

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 everchanging 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!

Location/Region: This position is a Remote role, with travel to White Plains, NY HQ (approx 1 wk/month as aligned with supervisor) and 3PL onsite visits, as required.

What’s the role?

The Distribution and Inventory Manager is responsible for all logistics, distribution, procurement, and inventory management activities for RMS US and the associated personnel, as well as select activities for RMS CA.  Primary responsibilities will involve strategic planning, 3PL oversight, distribution management, inventory control, and leadership.     This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally to achieve corporate goals.

This position will require a close working relationship and cross-functional collaboration with sales, service, and marketing teams to ensure efficient use of all inventories to achieve corporate strategic goals.  Additionally, this will enable alignment with market demands, sales requirements, and overarching customer experience.   As this role spans across all areas of the business, fundamental knowledge of the core processes and goals of each function will be necessary following an onboarding period.  

The creation, use and analysis of key performance indicators are to be applied to assist in the management of all vendor relationships, but especially non-affiliated (third party) partners.  To ensure proper vendor relationships, vendor site visits and agreements must be performed and maintained.

As a leader, implementing and monitoring departmental goals and objectives, driving performance, mentoring other leaders, and developing training plans for department personnel is expected.  Fosters a cooperative and close working relationship with all leadership in the organization.

Sound Interesting? Here’s what you’ll do:

Supplier management:

• Creates focused and results-oriented team to drive cost savings on new design and development through up front supplier involvement and automation opportunities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for carriers, product suppliers, and 3PL providers.

• Collaborate with sales and product management regarding 3rd party product suppliers for technical requirements and sourcing strategy

• Effectively manage supplier selection to meet quality, service, delivery, cost, risk mitigation, and supplier capabilities to meet requirements with the goal of providing the best quality product/service at a competitive market cost for our customers.

• Actively negotiate agreements with suppliers to address quality, delivery, price, or performance discrepancies

• Oversight on 3PL SSC operations @ DHL in Fort Worth, TX & 3rd party mate location @ Expeditors in Edison, NJ.

Purchasing & Inventory:

• Management of overarching inventory operations to attain sales targets while maintaining inventory budgets, including inventory levels, transactional quality, age, and selloff.

• Collaborate with Sales and Marketing on strategy for demo kit configurations, ensuring alignment for product launches, optimizing utilization, selloff and replacement of all inventories within approved budget.

• Oversee proper case design for protection of inventory equipment in shipping and customer experience

• Develop and implement a storage and inventory location strategy to optimize service while managing costs, condition, use, and strategic importance.

• Oversight and management of the local execution and maintenance of DLA Global Inventory Management System

• Oversee all direct purchasing (strategic and transactional) within SSC

Compliance:

• Ensures legal compliance and provide import/export administration controls as well as maintain the applicable rules and laws of shipping hazardous goods to include any licensing.

• Provide/facilitate employee training as necessary to stay current and compliant.

• Ensure ECCN (Export Control Classification Number), HTSUS (US Harmonized Tariff Schedule) classifications, Schedule B Export Code compliance

• Implements, reviews, audits internal processes for all regulatory requirements including document retention, required reporting details, ACE filing, etc.

• Oversees all payment processes to ensure timely and accurate payment for duties, fees, and service charges.

Leadership:

• Establish and implement both short- and long-range departmental goals and strategy, communicating to teams on a regular basis

• Serve as a role model and mentor for other leaders and promote a positive company culture, while empowering and motivating employees.

• Define performance requirements for direct reports, provide coaching and development opportunities, conduct performance appraisals, and create individual employee development plans.

• Develop, implement, and monitor KPIs in all areas of responsibility for continuous improvement

• Effectively communicate and engage a wide range of ZEISS leadership levels and cross functional teams

• Identify best practices, address problems via continuous improvement and regular process evaluation, including automation opportunities.

• Perform other duties as directed by Management

Do you qualify?

• BA/BS degree in fields of Business, Finance, or Engineering

• 10+ years’ experience in logistics, procurement or supply chain management

• Proven success in driving operational optimizations, strategic initiatives, cost management, and supplier relationship management

• Demonstrated experience in domestic and international shipping practices, trade regulations, import/export regulations, INCOterms and classifications (HTSUS, ECCN, Schedule B)

• Strong utilization of supply chain systems (SAP ERP a plus), with experience in system implementation, automations, and/or enhancements

• Experience in monitoring inventory levels, conducting audits, implementing control measures, and optimizing turnover

• Detailed knowledge of end to end intercompany and 3rd party procure to pay processes

• Experience with 3PL warehouse and supplier management, creating and managing KPIs with a 3rd party, while creating synergies between associated teams

• Exceptional leadership abilities, oriented to driving performance and results, cross-functional collaboration, and inspiring and empowering teams

• Excellent written, presentation and verbal communication skills

The annual pay range for this position is $99,000 – $124,000

The pay offered for this role may be influenced by factors such as job location, scope of role, qualifications, education, experience, & complexity/specialization/scarcity of talent.

This position is also eligible for a performance bonus or sales commissions.  ZEISS also offers robust benefits, including medical plans, retirement savings plan and paid time off.

Working Conditions and Special Demands:

• Ability to successfully perform duties and execute responsibilities from both a company-office and home-office based environment; consisting of primarily phone and PC work

• Remote role, with travel to White Plains HQ (approx 1 wk/month as aligned with supervisor) and 3PL onsite visits, as required

• Ability to travel (domestic & international), as required

• Flexible working hours as required to meet needs of customers and business

• Effective communication skills for all levels of business, suppliers, and backgrounds

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team:

Zeiss provides Equal Employment Opportunity without unlawful regard to an Applicants race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, citizen status, sexual orientation, pregnancy (includes childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical condition), genetic predisposition, carrier status, gender expression or identity, including transgender identity, or any other class or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law of the employee (or the people with whom the employee associates, including relatives and friends).