Manager Partner Operations - Digital Sales

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 Operations & 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 Excellence

• 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.