Senior Specialist Operations Research (All Genders)

zooplus SE; München; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

20 days abroad

Employee discount

Wellbeing program

Career development

Job summary

zooplus SE, headquartered in Munich, seeks an experienced Senior Operations Research specialist to develop data-driven models and AI-powered decision tools. You will collaborate with Assortment Excellence, Listing, Procurement, and Inventory teams to improve optimization and automation across sourcing, stock and allocation.

The role requires a quantitative degree, proven modeling experience, and strong Python/SQL skills. English fluency is essential; German is a plus.

Qualifications

• University degree with a strong quantitative focus (engineering, math, physics, economics or data science).
• Proven experience in mathematical modeling and optimization with solvers (e.g. Gurobi).
• Strong Python programming for analytics, automation and prototyping (AI tools a plus).
• Advanced SQL and Excel for ad-hoc analyses and data exploration.
• Ability to process large, complex datasets and derive actionable insights.
• Organizational skills to work independently, prioritize and drive topics.
• Assertive, goal-oriented, solution-focused mindset.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills with attention to detail.
• Fluent in English; German is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Build data-driven decision support tools, models and algorithms for teams.
• Provide advanced analytical insights to optimize assortment quality and performance.
• Improve algorithms for assortment allocation and automation to scale operations.
• Collaborate with procurement, replenishment and inventory to design better strategies.
• Act as SME for analytical methods, optimization, simulation and AI in operations.

Skills

Python programming

SQL

Excel

Optimization

Data analysis

Communication

English proficiency

Education

Engineering or Mathematics

Physics

Economics

Operations Research / Data Science

Tools

Gurobi

GitHub Copilot

Python (development tools)

Excel

Job description

Company Description

With over 25 years' experience, plus the same enormous passion and ambition we had on day-one, we're trailblazers in the pet e-commerce industry. Our solutions make over 12 million customers genuinely happier - and that's something we really care about. We work together to continually adapt; embracing change and the challenges it brings so that we can keep doing better. Join us and discover a place where your potential meets your passion for pets. That's the power of plus.

Job Description

The Senior Operations Research function identifies and structures complex operational problems, collects and analyzes relevant data, and applies appropriate analytical methods to develop practical, scalable solutions. It works with stakeholders to understand processes, constraints, and objectives, while using AI and advanced analytics to improve decision-making and automation. The function also communicates insights, recommendations, and best practices clearly to managers and executives.

Your responsibilities

• Support teams and departments in building data-driven decision support tools, models, and algorithms


• Provide advanced analytical insights to the Assortment Excellence team, with focus on assortment quality, connectivity, segmentation, and performance


• Support the Listing team in assortment allocation by improving algorithms, increasing automation, and enhancing scalability


• Collaborate with Procurement, Replenishment, and Inventory teams to design, improve, and maintain algorithms (e.g. safety stock allocation, sourcing-channel decisions, inventory positioning)


• Act as a subject-matter expert for analytical methods, optimization, simulation, and AI-based approaches in operations

Qualifications

• University degree with a strong quantitative focus, such as Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Economics, Business Administration, Operations Research, Data Science, or a comparable field


• Proven experience in mathematical modeling and structured problem solving, ideally including hands-on work with optimization solvers (e.g. Gurobi or comparable solver engines)


• Strong programming skills in Python for analytical modeling, automation, and prototyping (experience with AI-assisted development tools such as GitHub Copilot is a plus)


• Advanced skills in SQL and Excel for fast, ad-hoc analyses and exploratory data work


• Demonstrated ability to process, analyze, and interpret large and complex datasets, and to derive actionable business insights


• Strong organizational skills with the ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and drive topics proactively


• Assertive personality with a structured, goal-oriented, and solution-focused mindset


• Excellent analytical and communication skills, with high attention to detail and a strong commitment to quality and excellence


• Fluent in English; German language skills are an advantage, but not mandatory

Additional Information

Headquartered in Munich, with offices across Madrid, Krakow, Wroclaw, London and Vienna, we collaborate because we genuinely love working together - so you'll be at the heart of an incredible, multinational team. We trust each other to get the job done, which means you'll benefit from hybrid working, spending 60% of your time in the office and 40% at home. There's an option to work for 20 days abroad in approved countries too.

Add to that development opportunities that help you to shape your own career path, excellent training and support, wellbeing offers, subsidised transport or bike leasing, plus 20% discount across all our products, and you'll begin to get a sense of what sets us apart. Find out more about the specific benefits at your local office in our blog posts.

A note on compensation:

We believe in being transparent about salary ranges. The range shown reflects the full scope that the role can grow into over time, depending on experience, skills, and impact. Most offers are positioned around the midpoint of the range, ensuring a fair and consistent approach across our teams.

At zooplus, we believe in equal opportunity and support everyone to fulfil their potential. We recognise the power of listening and learning from each other and embrace diversity and inclusion of all.

#LI-Hybrid