Principal Key Account Manager (all genders) - Logistics for Propositions

Zalando GmbH; Berlin; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days holiday

Health and wellbeing options

Employee shares programme

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Zalando GmbH is seeking a Principal, Logistics Key Account Management to own one of our strategic B2B propositions, About You. You will connect commercial needs with operational logistics, translating partner requirements into strategic priorities across a functionally structured organization.

You will lead as a thought leader, managing senior stakeholders, guiding multi-year visions, and mentoring colleagues to elevate commercial development and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in KAM, strategic development, or B2B operations.
• Experience with large-scale enterprise clients.
• Proven track record influencing executives and negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Define logistics strategy for About You with 2–5 year horizon.
• Lead cross-functional teams to translate partner requirements.
• Manage senior stakeholders and secure buy-in for initiatives.
• Plan programs and resources, anticipate risks and remove obstacles.
• Mentor teammates and drive cross-departmental improvements.

Skills

Key Account Management

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Analytical mindset

Leadership

Job description

The Logistics Key Account Management (KAM) Team acts as the strategic interface between Logistics Operations and our internal and external customers. Our mission is to ensure that logistics services are reliable, high-quality, and tailored to the competitive realities of the market and our partners' business models.

In this C8 Principal role, you will take ownership of one of our most strategic B2B propositions: About You. You will connect the commercial needs of this major proposition with our operational logistics functions to translate partner requirements into strategic logistics priorities. You will act as a strategic thought leader, a senior facilitator, and the horizontal customer-view provider across a functionally structured logistics organization at Zalando.

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

• Strategic Direction & Vision: Act as an active contributor and challenger in defining the logistics strategy for our About You proposition. You will identify new initiatives and opportunities, translating the unit's objectives into long-term strategic planning (2-5 years) aligned with Zalando's overarching goals.
• Complex Problem Solving & Framework Creation: Independently guide yourself, colleagues, and cross-functional stakeholders to solve large-scale, complex, and undefined challenges. You will create and apply logical frameworks to identify root causes and evaluate core business implications for both Zalando and About You.
• Senior Stakeholder Management & Alignment: Build strong alliances across the About You proposition teams, Zalando Commercial, and Logistics Operations. You will elaborate clear and structured concepts to secure buy-in from senior management, actively managing the "Convenience Trade-off Triangle" (customer convenience, assortment availability, and fulfilment costs).
• Program & Resource Planning: Take over key strategic initiatives for the About You account and break them down into multiple work streams. You will organize necessary resources, anticipate risks, manage ongoing change, and clear obstacles for your project teams.
• Thought Leadership & Mentorship: Act as a guiding light for peers and project team members within the KAM ecosystem. You will establish best practices, mentor individual contributors, and elevate the standard for commercial development and operational excellence.
• You have 7+ years of professional experience in Key Account Management, Strategic Development, Supply Chain Management, or B2B Operations, ideally managing large-scale enterprise clients or platforms.
• You are a proven strategic thinker who can seamlessly zoom out to shape long-term multi-year visions and zoom in to drive complex project execution.
• You possess an outstanding analytical mindset with the ability to deal with ambiguity, utilizing hard data to define direction, targets, and clear priorities for the broader organization.
• You have an exceptional track record in senior stakeholder management, capable of influencing executives, facilitating high-stakes negotiations.
• You are a natural leader (even without direct disciplinary responsibility) who actively contributes to team culture, coaches junior colleagues, and drives cross-departmental improvement initiatives.

OUR OFFER

Zalando provides a range of benefits, here’s an overview of what you can expect.

• 27 days of holiday a year to start for full-time employees (+1 day for every calendar year up to 30 days)
• 40% off fashion and beauty products sold and shipped by Zalando, 30% off Lounge by Zalando, discounts from external partners
• Family support, including counselling and dedicated services for parents and carers
• Company pension scheme
• Employee shares programme
• Health and wellbeing options, including Wellhub
• Mental health support and coaching
• Development through our training platform and biannual peer-to-peer review
• 2 paid volunteering days a year
• Relocation assistance (subject to prior agreement)

INCLUSIVE BY DESIGN

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.