Principal Technology Vendor Manager (all genders)

THE ROLE & THE TEAM As a Principal Technology Vendor Manager (all genders) you will be part of the team responsible for developing and maintaining long-standing relationships with our largest Technology vendors. The team is at the heart of where Technology decisions happen in Zalando - Zalando Technology Foundation (ZTF). The mission of Zalando Technology Foundation is to enable Zalandos, foster a culture of self-service, fast paced decision making, collaboration, and capitalize on the scale of the company to drive business excellence. WHAT WE’D LOVE YOU TO DO (AND LOVE DOING) Develop and sustain long-standing relationships with Zalando’s strategic Technology vendors based on trust, open communication and a standardised framework Establish standards by which to assess the performance of approved vendors and improve those standards Stay informed of market trends and technology innovations, assisting Zalando leaders with evaluation of new technology from vendors and supporting strategic decision making Lead the programs responsible for executive-to-executive governance and collaboration with each critical Zalando provider, with the goal of maintaining healthy partnerships, where both Zalando and our Partners derive value Organise regular strategic business reviews with our strategic technology vendors to set and update goals in the partnership Drive high-stakes negotiations and escalations, own the representation of Zalando’s interests WE’D LOVE TO MEET YOU IF Deep understanding of critical technology for internet-based technology companies such as cloud computing, AI and big data Validated experience building effective partner relationships that yield long-term value Knowledge of trends in the tech industry and the marketplaces for services, including experience with translating trends and needs into compelling strategies Experience building accountability mechanisms, holding partners to their commitments, and resolving issues Experienced with facilitation of governance, independently negotiating and reviewing extensive contracts Skilled communicator, able to build relationships between tech organisations easily at multiple levels: engineer-to-engineer, product manager-to-product manager, and executive-to-executive OUR OFFER Zalando provides a range of benefits, here’s an overview of what you can expect. Ask your Talent Acquisition Partner to learn more about what we offer. 27 days of holiday a year to start for full-time employees (+1 day for every calendar year up to 30 days) 2 paid volunteering days a year Employee shares programme 40% off fashion and beauty products sold and shipped by Zalando, 30% off Lounge by Zalando, discounts from external partners Relocation assistance available (subject to prior agreement) Family services, including counselling and support Health and wellbeing options (including Wellhub, formerly Gympass) Mental health support and coaching available Drive your development through our training platform and biannual peer-to-peer review INCLUSIVE BY DESIGN If you think you have what it takes, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every single requirement. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles! At Zalando, our vision is to be the leading European technology platform for fashion and lifestyle – one that thrives on diversity and is truly inclusive by design. We believe that diverse teams fuel innovation and creativity, and we actively seek out talent from all backgrounds. We actively seek to reduce bias in our hiring and employment processes, focusing on your qualifications, skills, and contributions. To support this, we kindly ask that you refrain from including personal details such as your photo, age, or marital status in your CV, ensuring a fair and equitable evaluation based solely on your abilities and potential. We are committed to providing an exceptional and accessible candidate experience for everyone. If you require any accommodations to support you throughout the hiring process, please let us know – we are here to assist you. Discover more about our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace: https://jobs.zalando.com/en/our-culture/diversity-and-inclusion