About this role

THE ROLE AND THE TEAM

We are seeking a forward-thinking Head of IT Vendor Management to lead our vendor management team and drive strategic value from our most critical partnerships. This role will oversee the end-to-end vendor lifecycle for our major technology providers, ensuring optimal performance, governance, and alignment with business goals across the entire organization. You will lead a team of professionals and play a pivotal role in evolving our vendor management function from operational oversight to a strategic capability 64focused on partnership, innovation, performance, and cost optimization.

INCLUSIVE BY DESIGN

At Zalando, our vision is to be inclusive by design. And this vision starts with our hiring - we do not discriminate on the basis of gender identity, sexual orientation, personal expression, ethnicity, religious belief, or disability status. You are welcome to leave out your picture, age, or marital status from your application. We only assess candidates on their qualifications and merit.

We want to provide you with a great candidate experience. Feel free to inform us of any accommodations you may need, so we can best support you throughout the hiring process.

do.BETTER - our diversity & inclusion strategy: https://corporate.zalando.com/en/our-impact/dobetter-our-diversity-and-inclusion-strategy
Our employee resource groups: https://corporate.zalando.com/en/our-impact/our-employee-resource-groups

WHAT WE9D LOVE YOU TO DO (AND LOVE DOING)

Leadership & Strategy

Lead and develop a high-performing vendor management team to ensure strategic vendor engagement across the business.
Define and execute a roadmap to elevate vendor management maturity and embed it as a strategic discipline across the enterprise.
Serve as a trusted advisor to technology and business stakeholders, translating business needs into effective vendor strategies.

Vendor Relationship Management

Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key IT vendors to maximize value, mitigate risks, and foster innovation.
Serve as the escalation point for critical vendor issues.

Governance & Performance

Implement robust vendor governance frameworks, including performance scorecards, risk assessments, and quarterly business reviews.
Ensure adherence to contractual obligations, SLAs, KPIs, and compliance standards.

Commercial Management

Lead contract negotiations, renewals, and renegotiations to optimize cost and ensure favorable terms.
Collaborate with InPro to ensure consistent, enterprise-aligned contracting processes.
Drive total cost of ownership transparency and cost-saving opportunities.

Cross-functional Collaboration

Partner with InfoSec, Data, Finance, Legal, and business units to ensure vendor solutions support operational and strategic priorities.
Promote a culture of strategic partnership across business and technology functions.

WE9D LOVE TO MEET YOU IF

Proven experience in IT vendor management or a related discipline, including managing large-scale vendor ecosystems.
Strong understanding of technology contracts, licensing models, and performance management practices.
Demonstrated success leading teams and building scalable, strategic vendor management practices.
Excellent negotiation, influencing, and relationship management skills at both operational and executive levels.
Familiarity with vendor risk, compliance, and financial governance.
Bachelor's degree in Business, IT, or related field (Master9s or relevant certifications, like ITIL, is a plus).

OUR OFFER

Zalando provides a range of benefits, here9s an overview of what you can expect. Ask your Talent Acquisition Partner to learn more about what we offer.

Employee shares program
40% off fashion and beauty products sold and shipped by Zalando, 30% off Zalando Lounge, discounts from external partners
2 paid volunteering days a year
Hybrid working model with 60% remote per week, actual practice is up to each team to best support their collaboration
Work from abroad for up to 30 working days a year
27 days of vacation a year to start
Relocation assistance available (subject to prior agreement)
Family services, including counseling and support
Health and wellbeing options (including Gympass)
Mental health support and coaching are available