Senior Portfolio Manager (all genders) - 1 year limited contract

at  Zalando SE

INCLUSIVE BY DESIGN

At Zalando, our vision is to be the starting point for fashion - one that is inclusive by design. We only assess candidates based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We welcome applications from people of all gender identities, sexual orientations, personal expressions, racial identities, ethnicities, religious beliefs, and disability statuses. We only want to know why you’re great for this role, so please avoid including your picture, age, and marital status in your CV as well.
We want to provide you with a great candidate experience. Please feel free to inform us of any accommodations you may need, so we can best support and assist you throughout the hiring process.
do.BETTER - our diversity & inclusion strategy: https://corporate.zalando.com/en/diversity-inclusion
Our employee resource groups: https://corporate.zalando.com/en/diversity-inclusion/our-employee-resource-groups

THE ROLE & THE TEAM

Zalando fulfils more than a hundred million customer orders every year and volumes are increasing. Fulfillment Core within Zalando builds and operates systems that are at the core of Zalando’s platform strategy and ensure timely, efficient, and correct delivery of every one of our customers’ 185+ million orders every year.
At Zalando and in Fulfillment Core, we are committed to providing equal opportunities for career advancement and promotions to all employees, following our inclusiveness principles . We welcome applications for both full-time and part-time positions, as we believe in providing flexible work options to support our employees’ diverse needs.
As a Senior Portfolio Manager in Fulfillment Core (FFC) at Zalando, you will be central to shaping our diverse portfolio, which features a wide variety of strategic projects: from optimising Logistics for customer convenience, to supporting B2C customers as their preferred shopping destination, and delivering a flexible e-commerce platform for B2B partners to expand their reach across Europe. Working closely with senior stakeholders and leadership, you’ll ensure projects align with strategic objectives, improve our processes and champion continuous improvement. This role provides a unique opportunity to drive significant change by optimising resource allocation and mitigating risks, ensuring that FFC continues to innovate and deliver exceptional value. You’ll lead monthly portfolio reviews, fostering a collaborative and transparent environment, and will be key in connecting strategy, goals, and execution within our dynamic, fast-paced environment
You’ll find our Berlin campus and HQ in the vibrant area of Friedrichshain. With amazing views of the Spree river and East Side Gallery, it’s a campus designed to inspire. Berlin is the city that has shaped our business. Are you up for a new experience in one of the most vibrant, diverse, and green cities in Europe?

WHAT WE’D LOVE YOU TO DO (AND LOVE DOING)..

Drive Strategic Portfolio Alignment : You will establish and maintain clear alignment between the portfolio and the overall business strategy. This involves working closely with stakeholders to define the scope of the portfolio, ensuring all projects and initiatives directly contribute to strategic objectives and our operational plan. You will use your understanding of the business to evaluate opportunities and make recommendations, ensuring that the portfolio is focused on the most impactful areas.
Control Resource Conflicts and Risks : You will proactively manage resources and risks within the portfolio. This includes working with department heads to allocate resources effectively, monitor utilisation, and recommend adjustments. You will also identify potential risks, develop mitigation strategies, and ensure that the portfolio is managed efficiently, resolving bottlenecks and keeping projects on track. This includes managing the prioritisation and ranking of projects.
Lead Productive Portfolio Reviews : You will lead monthly portfolio review sessions, ensuring a productive exchange of information, healthy discussions, and clear communication of updates to all stakeholders. You will also ensure a transparent and healthy discussion is happening to support senior leaders in making informed choices.
Provide Performance Insights : You will provide transparent reporting on key portfolio updates to senior leadership inside and outside of our department. Your work will increase transparency of strategic investments, resourcing, planning, and investment forecasting, supporting senior leaders in these areas.
Enhance Collaboration through Transparency : You will improve collaboration between teams by connecting strategy, goals, KPIs, and initiatives, and facilitate communication with stakeholders. You will create documentation that provides transparency on the portfolio status overall and specifically for trade-off decisions.
Drive Continuous Improvement : You will proactively identify areas for improvement within the portfolio processes and drive the implementation of changes. This includes evaluating existing processes, gathering feedback, and implementing new best practices. You will champion a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that the portfolio management approach evolves and adapts to meet the changing needs of our organisation.