Head of Operations/Production Light Microscopy (m/f/d)

Trust something new, grow beyond itself and redefine the boundaries of the feasible. That is exactly what our employees can and should live daily. To set the pace with our innovations and make it great. Because there are a lot of fascinating people behind every successful company.

ZEISS employees work in an open and modern environment with numerous development and further training opportunities. Our culture is characterized by expert knowledge and team spirit. All this is supported by the special ownership structure and the long-term goal of the Carl-Zeiss Foundation: to advance science and society together.

Today dare. Inspire tomorrow.

Diversity is part of ZEISS. We look forward to your application regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, world view, disability, age as well as sexual orientation and identity.

Apply now! In less than 10 minutes. As one of the leading manufacturers of microscopes, ZEISS offers innovative and inspiring solutions for bio and material sciences. In our production area for light microscopy in Jena we shape the future of microscopy technology. Here we combine Process Engineering, Assembly & Testing and Production Planning and Logistics to develop and produce first-class light microscopes and microscopy systems.

Your role Operational responsibility for production at the Jena site Implementation of global targets and strategies taking into account location-specific framework conditions and their further development

Active Sparring Partner for Production Management, Interfaces and International Colleagues

Ensuring a stable, efficient and high-quality manufacturing operation while maintaining cost, delivery and quality targets

Leadership, motivation and further development of employees and managers in the area of responsibility

Cost optimization and efficiency Continuous analysis and optimization of production costs, material use, productivity and overhead incl. deriving and implementing effective measures to reduce costs

Transparent control via relevant key figures

Delivery performance and schedule Ensuring short, stable and predictable throughput times in close coordination with production planning, logistics and supply chain to increase delivery reliability

Active management of bottlenecks, deviations and escalations in operating daily business

Process and product quality Responsibility for compliance and continuous improvement of process and quality standards as well as the systematic reduction of errors, rejects and rework

Close cooperation with quality management and development to secure new products and processes

Continuous Improvement & Lean Management Further development of continuous improvement (KVP) and lean methods (e.g. shopfloor management, standards, value flow, problem-solving methods)

Active support for employee participation in improvement initiatives

Global Production Network Cooperation Close cooperation with international manufacturing sites to coordinate standards, processes and best practices

Contribution to the harmonisation of production concepts and the cross-site process optimization

Support for international industrialisation, relocation or optimization projects

With your contribution as a management personality, you will secure the sustainable business success at ZEISS together with our management and employees. Convert global standards and raise local optimization potentials.

Complete technical studies (e.g. production/production technology, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering) or comparable, long-term professional experience in an industrial manufacturing environment Experience gained in the management of a production or production area with operational earnings responsibility

Very good understanding of manufacturing processes, assembly, material flows and production control

Proven expertise in lean management, continuous improvement and structured problem solution (e.g. shopfloor management, CVP, standards, root analysis)

Excellent quality awareness

Ability to ensure product and process quality even under cost and time pressure

Clear, structured communication and a pronounced team- and collaborative capability combined with high self-responsibility, hands-on-skill and implementation strength

Very good knowledge of German and good English for cooperation in the international production network and environment

readiness to cross-site cooperation, Best-Practice transfer including occasional travel activities