Sales

ZEISS offers a wide range of sales roles across different products, markets and customer groups. Sales engineers connect customer needs with technical solutions such as coordinate measuring machines and microscopy systems. Sales managers work with key accounts and specialist retailers, while customer consultants coordinate complex equipment orders from initial request to delivery. Regional sales directors lead teams and develop sales strategies for their territories. Sales effectiveness trainers support the onboarding and development of sales teams. Sales roles are available across ZEISS, offering opportunities to work with a range of technologies, markets and customer groups.

Qualifications vary by role. Depending on the position, a background in business, sales, science or a technical field may be relevant. ZEISS sales professionals also bring experience from a variety of other fields. Strong communication skills, customer focus, adaptability and a willingness to learn are important across many roles. Product and technical training can help employees build the knowledge they need for their position. The respective job posting provides specific requirements for each role.

Sales at ZEISS brings together people with a range of professional backgrounds. Depending on the position, experience in a scientific or technical field may be helpful or required, particularly when working with complex products and applications. Other roles may be suitable for candidates with a business or sales background. ZEISS provides role- and product-specific training to help employees build the technical knowledge they need. Strong communication skills, customer focus and a willingness to learn are also important. The respective job posting provides specific requirements for each role.

Yes, depending on the role, experience from another field can provide a valuable foundation for a sales role at ZEISS. Relevant technical, scientific, business or customer-facing experience can help you understand products, applications and customer needs. Role- and product-specific training can support you in building additional knowledge and skills. The requirements for each position are listed in the respective job posting.

Individual career paths can look very different. Some ZEISS colleagues have built on their previous experience in fields such as scientific research, finance or customer care to move into sales roles.  

A typical working day depends on the sales role, product area and customer group. Sales engineers may visit customers, discuss technical requirements and plan follow-up activities. Regional sales directors combine strategic planning and customer meetings with ongoing collaboration with their teams. Sales managers advise customers and collaborate with internal teams, while customer consultants coordinate complex equipment orders from the initial request through to delivery.

Customer interaction is an important part of many sales roles at ZEISS. Building strong customer relationships and trust helps sales employees understand customer needs and identify suitable products or solutions. Depending on the position, they may meet customers on-site, discuss technical requirements, advise retailers or key accounts, and coordinate complex orders. They often work with technical and application specialists to find solutions for specific customer requirements. The type and frequency of customer interaction depend on the role, product area and market.

Many sales roles at ZEISS involve travel, but the frequency and distance vary by position, territory and customer group. Depending on the role, travel may include customer visits, trade shows, training sessions or meetings with colleagues and business partners. Some positions focus on a defined local or regional territory, while others may involve international travel. Specific travel requirements are usually listed in the respective job posting and can be clarified during the interview process.

Collaboration is an important part of the team culture in sales at ZEISS. Sales employees exchange ideas, share their expertise and work together to understand customer needs and develop suitable solutions. Flat hierarchies can support open communication and the exchange of ideas across different roles and levels. When customer requests become more complex, employees can draw on the knowledge and experience of colleagues across sales, technical and support functions. Mutual support helps teams work towards shared goals and build strong customer relationships.

Yes. Depending on the role, market and region, sales employees at ZEISS may work with customers, partners and colleagues across countries. International collaboration can include supporting dealer networks, managing regional markets, attending trade shows or taking part in training at other ZEISS locations. This allows employees to exchange knowledge and contribute their expertise in an international environment.

ZEISS supports work-life balance in different ways, depending on the role and local conditions. Some sales roles may offer flexibility in organizing working hours or combining remote work with time on-site, where the position allows. Customer requirements and travel may influence how and where employees work. Specific working arrangements depend on the role, location and applicable local policies and can be clarified during the hiring process and with the responsible manager.

New sales team members receive role- and product-specific onboarding to prepare them for their work. Depending on the position, this may include training on ZEISS products, tools and sales processes, as well as technical and communication skills. New employees may also learn through self-study, collaboration with experienced colleagues and initial customer interactions. The training format and duration depend on the role, product area and region.

ZEISS helps sales professionals build their product and application knowledge through role-specific training, self-study and practical experience. They learn about customer requirements through direct interaction and can draw on the expertise of experienced colleagues and technical specialists when working on complex requests. Training and knowledge sharing may continue beyond onboarding as products and customer needs evolve.

ZEISS supports the professional development of sales employees beyond onboarding. Depending on the role, employees may take part in training when new products are introduced, develop additional skills such as data analytics, and learn through collaboration and practical experience.

Sales employees at ZEISS can develop professionally in different ways. Depending on the role, experience, organizational needs and available opportunities, they may expand their responsibilities, deepen their expertise, lead projects or teams, or gain experience in other sales roles, markets and regions. Learning through new tasks, collaboration, and mentoring others can also support their professional development.

Individual career paths can look very different. One ZEISS colleague, for example, progressed from an application engineer to a regional sales manager, became managing director of a subsidiary and later took responsibility for international sales territories.  

Depending on the role, experience, organizational needs and available openings, employees may move between sales roles or explore positions in other parts of ZEISS. This can provide opportunities to work with different products, markets, customer groups or regions and to build new skills and experience. Employees can search for advertised openings across ZEISS and discuss possible development paths with their manager.

Individual career paths can look very different. Some ZEISS colleagues have gained experience in areas such as applications engineering, technical sales, finance and customer care before taking on other roles within ZEISS.