Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization

This role is a business ‑ critical position within Digital Sales and the Partner Program, owning the end ‑ to ‑ end operational of one of adidas ’ fastest ‑ growing and most complex digital sales channels.
The Manager Partner Operations is accountable for ensuring financial integrity, operational scalability, and partner trust across the Digital Sales ecosystem (Partner Program, Partnership Marketing & Gift Cards). The role acts as the single operational owner for partner performance, commission frameworks, and vendor financial operations.
This position is designed for a highly independent professional who can navigate ambiguity, influence senior stakeholders, and take ownership in an environment where processes are evolving and not fully defined.
The Manager Partner Operations will be instrumental in designing and improving operational processes that help us deliver on our company strategy in collaboration with key stakeholders in the different functions throughout the organization.
The Partner Operations team would act as a central vendor management pillar for other functions within Digital Sales.

Role & Responsibilities

Partner Operations

Working closely with the Senior Manager Platform Operations, design operational processes in accordance with overall methodology in collaboration with key stakeholders in the different functions throughout the company .
Monitor and improve the daily operations with key focus on achieving operational KPIs (around cancellation/delivery/return/consumer service) to ensure we meet our partners’ targets including Zalando consumer experience model, Amazon Seller Central model, etc.
Support Partner acceleration team in refining a clearer operational process with respect to all business development core operations for the Partner Program channel. If needed, support the team as a project manager managing the execution and delivering a partner/carrier roll-out by effectively coordinating people and resources.
Support Partner Trading team with the tools and system integration needed for accurate Partner management.
Support Gift Cards channel in ensuring correct data transmission through the tech provider
Support Partnership Marketing channel with their tech provider and accurate tracking of sales transactions is in place

Vendor Financial O perations & Management

Day-to-day ownership of performance management, product roadmap and relationships with tech and service partners (middleware providers and others), including
Lead financial reconciliation for vendors, including commissions, fees, and invoice validation
Drive vendor performance management, business reviews, and roadmap alignment with a strong financial and operational lens
Act as the primary interface between vendors and internal stakeholders (Finance, GBS, Legal, Procurement)
Establish a trustful relationship with our vendors

Operational E xcellence

Design, implement, and continuously improve scalable operational processes supporting partner growth
Lead business improvement initiatives to reduce manual work, increase automation, and strengthen controls
Support partner roll outs and new business models by ensuring operational and financial readiness
Act as a trusted stakeholder to Finance, GBS, Credit & Collections, Legal, Procurement, Risk, and Global Process Owners. Being able to influence decisions and unblock execution
Act regularly as a business partner and system consultant to Partner Program & Digital Partnership colleagues
Be an entrepreneurial innovation ambassador to the organization capable of integrating activities across key functional partners

Key Relationships

Partner Program: Partner Acceleration, Analytics and Partner Trading teams
Digital Partnerships: Partnership Marketing & Gift Cards teams
Europe eCommerce Digital Operations and Consumer Experience teams
Europe Supply Chain Management team, IT, Procurement, GBS, Finance, Risk, Internal controls and Legal teams
Global Partner Program and Digital Solution teams
EU Affiliates
Marketplace team and business/technical teams of partner’s accounts
Tech and service partner (Eg: middleware provider) teams

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Proven ability to operate independently in ambiguous, evolving environments
Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders
Highly analytical mindset with strong Excel and data analysis capabilities
Structured thinker with strong process design and governance experience
Resilient, accountable, and comfortable owning critical topics end to end
Excellent communication skills, including senior level presentations
Extremely strong organizational and planning skills - flexibility to handle multiple tasks and business partners. Ability to work in deadline driven environment and under pressure
Proactive approach to work & a go-getter mindset
Dynamic and adaptable – can quickly and effectively assimilate and drive change, quick to learn new systems and tools
Strong financial acumen with hands-on experience in reconciliation processes and commission models is a plus
Understanding tech landscape is a plus
Comfortable working in an international environment

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications

BA / BS in Business, Finance, Economics or related field
3+ years professional experience (experience in digital/eCommerce, business development, operations, finance, marketplace)
Experience in vendor management and complex partner ecosystems strongly preferred
Fluency in written and spoken English is required; at least one other European language would be beneficial.

Manager Partner Operations - Digital Sales

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