Head of Product - Transport & Customs (all genders)

Role Zalando’s Transport Management System (First, Middle & Last Mile) and Customs infrastructure is the backbone of our European transportation network. As we transition to a flexible, platform‑based architecture, we are unlocking unprecedented optimisation potential. In this role you will lead the strategic evolution of our Transport and Customs products, heading a high‑calibre, multi‑disciplinary team of Principal Product Managers, Machine Learning Engineers and Data Engineers. You will rethink complete process chains with a long‑term impact horizon, elevating product strategy through deep discovery, opportunity sizing and advanced data/ML‑driven capabilities. Key impact areas include: • Building and optimisation of next‑generation transport systems. • Central exchanges of capacities, promises and cut‑offs at the highest system‑architecture level. • Customs services optimisation with advanced data modelling and seamless interface design. Responsibilities • Head a cross‑functional, high‑performing department: directly manage and mentor Principal Product Managers and technical specialists (ML & Data Engineering). Build a culture of excellence, shared ownership and delivery across domains. • Translate fulfilment strategy into action: turn high‑level business goals into operational plans and system evolutions, leveraging ML and data‑driven capabilities to stabilise and scale TMS systems. • Shape and scale the organisation: evolve team structures and career paths, defining how Principal‑level talent and engineering resources are deployed for maximum impact. • Drive product strategy & thought leadership: formulate a multi‑year product roadmap, own the “big picture” while ensuring precise execution. • Collaborate across the matrix: work closely with Operational teams, Network Planning and Budgeting to build consensus around the vision. • Evidence‑based decision‑making: support intuition with data‑driven insights and architectural proposals alongside principal architects. • Author key product artefacts: oversee creation of roadmaps, “Working Backwards” press releases, requirements and large‑scale solution papers. • Resource & capacity planning: pitch phased execution plans based on team capacity and build business cases for additional resources when needed. Qualifications • Experienced product champion with a proven track record in large‑scale technical products, ideally within fulfilment or logistics. • People leadership experience managing senior stakeholders and leading high‑level individual contributors (Principal PMs) and technical teams (Data/ML). • Strategic mindset focused on improving Zalando’s fulfilment experience for customers and partners. • Cross‑functional expertise across Product, Engineering and Data Science, bridging business needs and technical execution. • Demonstrated ability to deliver at scale, leading complex initiatives with diverse stakeholder groups and integrated system landscapes. • Excellent communication skills in English, capable of navigating large, matrixed organisations with influence and empathy. What We Offer • 27 days of holiday per year (increasing up to 30 days with tenure). • 2 paid volunteering days per year. • Hybrid working model with up to 60 % remote per week. • Opportunity to work from abroad for up to 30 working days per year. • Employee shares program. • 40 % discount on Zalando fashion and beauty products, 30 % discount on Lounge by Zalando and other partner offers. • Relocation assistance (subject to agreement). • Family services, counselling and support. • Health and wellbeing options, including Wellhub (formerly Gympass). • Mental health support and coaching. • Development opportunities through training platforms and bi‑annual peer‑to‑peer reviews.