Senior Category & Product Manager - ZEISS Camera Lenses (m/w/x)
ZEISS · Oberkochen
ZEISS, a leading supplier of optical and optoelectronic technologies, is bundling units outside the divisions in the Photonics & Optics strategic business unit that offer customers a wide range of optical and photonic technologies in highly specialized markets around the world: mobile imaging, hunting & nature, cinematography, microoptics, spectroscopy, planetariums and simulation projection solutions.
Do you want to shape the future of premium camera lenses? In this strategically important role, you will own the long-term portfolio and category strategy for ZEISS Camera Lenses — from market intelligence and business cases to successful product launches and lifecycle management.
Your Role
Define and continuously evolve the global, multi-year category and product roadmap for ZEISS Camera Lenses.
Identify growth opportunities, adjacent use cases and potential new business fields based on customer, competitor and technology insights.
Steer the portfolio throughout the full product lifecycle — from product concept and investment decision through launch and optimization to phase-out.
Develop and own business cases, including revenue, volume and margin planning, pricing logic, investment requirements, risks and scenario assumptions.
Define pricing corridors, commercial success criteria and volume forecasts; derive actions from business performance and market developments.
Lead international, cross-functional product and portfolio initiatives with R&D, Marketing, Sales, Operations, Quality, Service and external partners.
Translate market, customer and technology needs into prioritized product requirements and compelling commercial concepts.
Ensure launch readiness, including product positioning, sales enablement, sample planning and initial sales quantities.
Represent the category perspective in discussions with internal stakeholders, selected customers, partners and industry contacts.
Your Profile
Master’s degree in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Product Management, Marketing, Engineering, Optics, Imaging Technology or a related field.
At least eight years of experience in senior product management, category management, portfolio management or business development — ideally within photography, videography, imaging, optics, consumer electronics or premium technology.
Proven experience defining and managing multi-year product roadmaps, business cases and lifecycle decisions for hardware or technology products.
Strong commercial and financial expertise, including pricing, profitability analysis, volume forecasting and commercial risk assessment.
Experience leading international, cross-functional teams in a matrix organization, including lateral leadership.
Deep understanding of photography ecosystems, camera markets, imaging technologies and optical performance drivers.
A strategic, analytical and entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to turn market trends and customer insights into concrete growth opportunities.
Excellent communication and presentation skills in English; German is a plus.
Willingness to travel internationally up to 15%.
A genuine passion for photography, imaging technology, premium consumer products and the ZEISS brand.
Your ZEISS Recruiting Team:
Bastian Hoffmann