
Transfer Project Manager – Global Manufacturing Ramp-up (f/m/x)
Key Skills
Job Description
Seeing beyond - future of medical technology
For more than 100 years, ZEISS medical technology has been driving progress in ophthalmology and microsurgery. In ophthalmology, our solutions help to maintain and improve people's vision at every stage of their lives. In microsurgery, our solutions enable targeted interventions on diseased tissue so that small and sensitive organs continue to function optimally. Medical technology from ZEISS supports medical professionals in improving the lives of patients worldwide. The fact that our actions have a direct impact on people's well-being is what drives us every day.
Join us in shaping the future of medical technology by leading a complex, international manufacturing transformation. You will drive the establishment and ramp-up of a new production site while ensuring a smooth transition from existing global manufacturing locations – safeguarding supply continuity, quality, and regulatory compliance throughout.
Your Role
- Own and continuously steer the end-to-end program roadmap, translating strategic objectives into executable plans, milestones, and deliverables
- Lead the integrated ramp-up of a new production site together with the Site Industrialization Project Lead, coordinating functions including Engineering, Operations, Quality, IT, Regulatory Affairs, HR, Finance, and Procurement
- Manage the transition of manufacturing activities from existing global sites while minimizing operational disruption and ensuring continuity of supply
- Establish effective program governance, including steering committees, cross-functional routines, clear RACI structures, decision-making processes, and transparent escalation paths
- Drive integrated progress on infrastructure, equipment commissioning, capability building, legal-entity setup, production licenses, and regulatory registrations
- Monitor program budget, risks, dependencies, and key decisions; initiate corrective actions and provide transparent reporting to senior stakeholders
Your Profile
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Natural Sciences, Business Administration, or a comparable field
- Extensive professional experience—ideally at least ten years—including proven leadership experience in operational, shopfloor-related project or program roles
- Demonstrated experience in international manufacturing site establishment, relocation, or transfer projects, preferably in greenfield or brownfield environments
- Hands-on expertise in manufacturing ramp-ups, covering equipment commissioning, process qualification, validation, documentation, and the stabilization of series production
- Strong experience leading cross-functional teams in regulated manufacturing environments; familiarity with ISO 13485, MDR, FDA quality systems, Lean Manufacturing, or Six Sigma is highly valued
- Fluent English and willingness to work regularly—and increasingly—at the ramp-up location; German and/or Kannada language skills, international mobility, and flexibility across time zones are an advantage
Your ZEISS Recruiting Team:
Norman FunkCore Responsibilities
The Project Manager will lead the end-to-end program roadmap for the establishment and ramp-up of a new production site. They are responsible for coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure a smooth transition of manufacturing activities while maintaining supply continuity and regulatory compliance.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Natural Sciences, or Business Administration. At least ten years of professional experience with a focus on international manufacturing site establishment and regulated environments is required.
About ZEISS Group
Industry: Machinery Manufacturing
Company size: 10,001+ employees
ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In the previous fiscal year, the ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling almost 12 billion euros in its four segments Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, and Consumer Markets (September 30, 2025). For its customers, ZEISS develops, produces, and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for the life sciences and materials research, and medical technology solutions for diagnostics and treatment in ophthalmology and microsurgery. The name ZEISS is also synonymous with the world's leading lithography optics, which are used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. There is global demand for trendsetting ZEISS brand products such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses, and binoculars. With a portfolio aligned with future growth areas like digitalization, healthcare, and Smart Production and a strong brand, ZEISS is shaping the future of technology and constantly advancing the world of optics and related fields with its solutions. The company's significant, sustainable investments in research and development lay the foundation for the success and continued expansion of ZEISS' technology and market leadership. ZEISS invests 15 percent of its revenue in research and development – this high level of expenditure has a long tradition at ZEISS and is also an investment in the future. With over 46,600 employees, ZEISS is active globally in around 50 countries with more than 60 sales and service locations, around 40 research and development facilities, and 30 production facilities worldwide. Learn more about ZEISS: www.zeiss.com/about Data privacy: www.zeiss.com/data-protection Imprint: www.zeiss.com/publisher This is ZEISS's official LinkedIn account. It follows the ZEISS Netiquette: www.zeiss.com/netiquette