What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manager, Purchasing position at KARL STORZ North America?
Join a Global Leader Transforming the Future of Surgical Care
At KARL STORZ, we’re redefining what’s possible in minimally invasive medicine. For more than 80 years, our family-owned company has combined German engineering excellence with a relentless commitment to improving patient outcomes, empowering clinicians, and advancing the field of endoscopy worldwide. Our mission is simple yet profound: to create innovative medical technologies that elevate the standard of care and enable life‑changing procedures in operating rooms across the globe.
As a pioneer in integrated OR solutions, KARL STORZ continues to push boundaries with OR1®, our flagship digital operating room ecosystem. OR1® brings together cutting‑edge imaging, streamlined workflow automation, intuitive device control, and advanced connectivity—enabling surgical teams to work smarter, faster, and with greater precision. From enhancing clinical collaboration to elevating the surgical experience, OR1® represents the future of modern surgical environments.
If you’re inspired by innovation, motivated by impact, and excited to help shape the next era of surgical excellence, this is your opportunity to join a company where your work truly matters.
We are seeking a hands-on Manager, Purchasing with strong leadership skills and experience in the electro-mechanical manufacturing environment to lead our purchasing and supplier management functions. This role is critical to ensuring material availability, cost competitiveness, and supplier performance while supporting production, quality, and long-term growth.
What You’ll Do
At KARL STORZ, we’re redefining what’s possible in minimally invasive medicine. For more than 80 years, our family-owned company has combined German engineering excellence with a relentless commitment to improving patient outcomes, empowering clinicians, and advancing the field of endoscopy worldwide. Our mission is simple yet profound: to create innovative medical technologies that elevate the standard of care and enable life‑changing procedures in operating rooms across the globe.
As a pioneer in integrated OR solutions, KARL STORZ continues to push boundaries with OR1®, our flagship digital operating room ecosystem. OR1® brings together cutting‑edge imaging, streamlined workflow automation, intuitive device control, and advanced connectivity—enabling surgical teams to work smarter, faster, and with greater precision. From enhancing clinical collaboration to elevating the surgical experience, OR1® represents the future of modern surgical environments.
If you’re inspired by innovation, motivated by impact, and excited to help shape the next era of surgical excellence, this is your opportunity to join a company where your work truly matters.
We are seeking a hands-on Manager, Purchasing with strong leadership skills and experience in the electro-mechanical manufacturing environment to lead our purchasing and supplier management functions. This role is critical to ensuring material availability, cost competitiveness, and supplier performance while supporting production, quality, and long-term growth.
What You’ll Do
- Lead and develop the Purchasing team, including operational and project buyers/planners
- Ensure timely availability of production materials aligned with MRP and Master Production Schedules
- Drive supplier strategy, sourcing, contract negotiations, and portfolio management
- Analyze inventory, demand forecasts, market conditions, and purchasing KPIs
- Own supplier relationships, performance feedback, audits, and qualification activities
- Negotiate and manage purchasing contracts (NDAs, QAAs, master agreements, Kanban, R&D)
- Support change management (ECM/CCB), master data accuracy, and cross-functional coordination
- Partner closely with Production, Quality, Engineering, and Global Procurement teams
- 5 years of experience in purchasing production and finished goods, including contract negotiations
- 2 years in a supervisory or leadership role
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
- Strong experience with ERP systems (SAP preferred) and MS Office
- Background in electro-mechanical components and manufacturing environments
- Knowledge of quality and regulatory standards (ISO 9001/13485; FDA QSR a plus)
- Proven ability to coach, mentor, and lead teams with a results-driven mindset
- Excellent communication, organization, and decision-making skills
- Experience supporting regulated products (medical device a plus)
- Demonstrated success in supplier strategy, cost optimization, and continuous improvement
- High-impact leadership role with visibility across the organization
- Opportunity to shape supplier strategy and purchasing excellence
- Hybrid work environment with limited travel (up to 10%)