Senior International Process and Project Manager

ZEISS is technology and innovation. Founded in Germany, in 1846, ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the optics and optoelectronics industries across 50 countries.

As a company wholly owned by a foundation, ZEISS is committed to responsibility in all its activities. As a pioneer in scientific optics, it's employees across the globe continue to push the boundaries of what is possible. With a strong focus on quality and innovation, ZEISS creates value for its customers and helps shape new ways of seeing the world.

We’re looking for a Senior International Process & Project Manager to join us in Lisbon, Portugal.

Your Role

We are looking for a Senior International Process & Project Manager to take ownership of end-to-end process improvement and independently lead complex, cross-functional projects across an international business environment.

This is a senior individual contributor position, offering the opportunity to shape how processes are designed, documented and implemented across multiple functions and locations. Working closely with process owners, subject matter experts and senior stakeholders, you will translate operational insights into meaningful improvements, driving initiatives from initial assessment and design through to implementation and long-term adoption.

Your initial focus will be on Customer Support Services, Order Management and Aftersales, with the opportunity to extend your scope into other business areas as organisational priorities evolve.

The role of Senior International Process & Project Manager will involve:

• Drive end-to-end process improvement: Build strong relationships with process owners and subject matter experts to understand existing processes, clarify responsibilities and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency.
• Design and establish processes: Lead the identification, development and implementation of missing or underdeveloped processes, ensuring clear ownership, responsibilities and effective handovers between teams.
• Process mapping and documentation: Develop and maintain consistent, accessible process documentation using BPMN standards, ensuring processes are clearly understood, embedded and sustainable.
• Identify opportunities for improvement: Analyse existing workflows to identify gaps, duplication, bottlenecks and operational risks, prioritising improvements based on evidence and business impact. Utilise process mining where appropriate.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives: Establish a structured approach to assessing, prioritising and delivering process improvements, ensuring progress and outcomes are effectively measured.
• Manage organisational change: Lead change management activities, working alongside subject matter experts and operational teams to support successful implementation and adoption of new processes and ways of working.
• Deliver international projects: Independently lead complex, cross-functional projects from initiation through to completion, defining objectives, scope, governance, project plans, resource requirements and success measures.
• Influence and engage stakeholders: Work collaboratively with operational teams and senior stakeholders across international locations, building alignment, constructively challenging existing approaches and driving decisions without relying on formal authority.
• Manage delivery and risks: Proactively oversee project timelines, dependencies, resources and risks, escalating challenges with clear recommendations and proposed solutions.

Your Experience

• You bring 10+ years of relevant experience in process management, project management or operational excellence, with a proven track record of independently delivering complex international projects.
• You have substantial hands-on experience in business process management, including end-to-end process mapping, analysis, documentation, gap identification and process improvement.
• You have experience designing and establishing new processes, ideally within Customer Support, Customer Service, Order Management or Aftersales environments.
• You have successfully implemented continuous improvement initiatives and driven organisational change, working closely with process owners and subject matter experts.
• You possess strong project management capabilities, with the ability to independently structure, lead and deliver complex initiatives involving multiple functions, stakeholders and locations.
• You have excellent stakeholder management, communication and facilitation skills, enabling you to build trust, navigate competing priorities and influence at all levels of the organisation.
• You demonstrate sound judgement, initiative and accountability, with the confidence to work independently while managing a remote reporting relationship.
• You are comfortable learning unfamiliar business processes, systems and methodologies. Previous BPMN experience is not essential, but an eagerness to learn and apply BPMN methodology is important.
• Familiarity with process mining tools and methodologies would be an advantage.
• You are fluent in both English and Spanish.
• You are willing and able to undertake extensive international travel as required.

Apply now to take the next step in joining ZEISS, where you can push technological boundaries, shape markets and contribute to the advancement of society.

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team:

Kate Campbell