Market Development Specialist II

About Us:

How many companies can say they’ve been in business for over 179 years?

Here at ZEISS, we certainly can! As the pioneers of science, ZEISS handles the everchanging environments in a fast-paced world, meeting it with cutting edge technologies and continuous advancements. ZEISS believes that innovation and technology are the key to a sustainable future and solutions for global change. We have a diverse range of portfolios throughout the ZEISS family in segments like Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, Consumer Markets and Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology. We are a global company with over 42,000 employees and have over 4,000 in the US and Canada alone! Make a difference, come join the team!

Location/Region: Toronto

What’s the role?

The Market Development Specialist II is responsible for leading the strategic planning, commercialization, and market development activities for ZEISS Medical Technology product portfolios across Canada. Reporting directly to the Head of Marketing, this role serves as a key marketing leader and subject matter expert, translating global strategies into locally relevant initiatives that drive market growth, customer engagement, product adoption, and revenue performance. The incumbent acts as a strategic partner to Sales Leadership, Global Marketing, Product Management, Clinical Affairs, Finance, Customer Service, and Supply Chain teams to execute market development strategies and deliver business objectives. The role requires strong commercial acumen, deep market insight, and the ability to influence stakeholders across all levels of the organization. The Market Development Specialist II is responsible for identifying market opportunities, analyzing competitive dynamics, developing go-to-market strategies, managing product launches, supporting key customer and KOL relationships, and ensuring alignment between customer needs and ZEISS business objectives. This role will also provide leadership in market intelligence, product lifecycle management, marketing program effectiveness, and strategic planning initiatives while serving as a trusted advisor to the Head of Marketing.

Sound Interesting?

Here’s what you’ll do:

Strategic Marketing & Market Development

Develop and execute annual market development plans aligned with business objectives and growth targets.

Partner with the Head of Marketing to define strategic priorities and growth initiatives for assigned product portfolios.

Assess market opportunities, trends, customer needs, and competitive activity to identify opportunities for expansion and revenue growth.

Translate global marketing strategies into effective local commercialization plans.

Develop business cases and strategic recommendations to support product investments and market expansion initiatives.

Lead market development strategy for assigned product portfolios.

Serve as the primary marketing lead for major launches and commercialization initiatives.

Provide strategic recommendations to the Head of Marketing regarding market opportunities, customer trends, and competitive activity.

Partner with Sales Leadership to identify opportunities to increase product adoption and market share.

Product Commercialization & Lifecycle Management

Lead the planning and execution of product launches, upgrades, and product enhancement initiatives.

Develop comprehensive go-to-market strategies and launch plans that optimize product adoption and revenue generation.

Manage the full product lifecycle, including positioning, pricing recommendations, customer adoption, and portfolio optimization.

Monitor product performance and recommend tactical and strategic actions to address market challenges or capitalize on opportunities.

Market Intelligence & Analytics

Conduct ongoing market analysis, customer segmentation, and competitive intelligence assessments.

Monitor market trends, customer feedback, reimbursement developments, and emerging technologies.

Analyze sales performance, market share, customer utilization, and marketing effectiveness to support strategic decision making.

Present actionable insights and recommendations to senior leadership.

Key Opinion Leader & Customer Engagement

Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key opinion leaders, clinical experts, and industry stakeholders.

Identify and nurture physician champions and customer advocates to support market adoption.

Manage KOL engagements, speaker programs, consulting agreements, and educational initiatives in accordance with compliance requirements.

Gather customer insights to inform marketing strategies, product positioning, and commercial programs.

Lead national KOL engagement strategies and customer education programs.

Mentor and provide guidance to less experienced marketing professionals and cross-functional project teams.

Sales Enablement & Commercial Support

Partner closely with Sales Leadership to develop strategies that drive customer acquisition and retention.

Create and deliver product training, competitive positioning, and value proposition messaging for field teams.

Support sales planning, forecasting, customer presentations, and business reviews.

Serve as the primary marketing resource for complex sales opportunities and customer inquiries.

Cross-Functional Leadership

Lead cross-functional teams in support of commercialization initiatives and strategic projects.

Collaborate with Global Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, Operations, Customer Service, Regulatory Affairs, and Clinical teams.

Ensure alignment of marketing activities with organizational objectives and customer requirements.

Develop business cases and recommendations supporting growth initiatives.

Lead cross-functional marketing projects and strategic initiatives.

Influence stakeholders and build alignment across functions to achieve business outcomes.

Budget & Financial Management

Develop and manage assigned marketing budgets.

Evaluate the effectiveness and return on investment of marketing programs and events.

Monitor spending and ensure resources are allocated to maximize business impact.

Do you qualify?

Experience and Education Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Life Sciences, Engineering, Healthcare Administration, or a related field.

MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Minimum 7-10 years of progressive experience in marketing, product management, market development, or commercial roles.

Minimum 3 years of experience within the medical device, healthcare technology, life sciences, or related healthcare industry.

Demonstrated success leading product launches and commercialization initiatives.

Experience developing and executing strategic marketing plans.

Experience working with physician stakeholders and key opinion leaders is strongly preferred.

Experience influencing cross-functional teams and leading initiatives without direct authority.

Strong strategic thinking and business acumen.

Advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Strong understanding of healthcare markets and commercial dynamics.

Exceptional presentation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Demonstrated ability to influence senior leadership and drive organizational alignment.

Strong project management and organizational skills.

High proficiency in CRM platforms, Microsoft Office Suite, and marketing analytics tools.

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Proven ability to translate data into actionable business insights.

Ability to work effectively in a global, matrixed organization.

Experience in the medical device industry.

Experience bringing new products to market is highly preferred.

Knowledge and experience in the product development process preferred.

Working Conditions and Special Demands:

Standard working h