Applied Science Manager / Lounge by Zalando (all genders)

THE ROLE AND THE TEAM

Lounge by Zalando is an online shopping club for fashion and lifestyle products, serving millions of members across 20+ European markets. At the core of our high‑growth strategy is pricing and assortment optimization. The Pricing Algorithms team is responsible for the Demand‑based Pricing algorithm at Lounge. As the Applied Science Manager, you will enable talented scientists and engineers to deliver effective and scientifically‑sound solutions to one of our most impactful business problems. Developing a world‑class pricing algorithm is a great opportunity to directly contribute to a key pillar of Lounge’s future success: machine learning, econometrics, and operations research drive our efforts to optimize discounts on ca. 5billionEUR or goods each year. We are looking for a leader with experience in guiding scientific work, delivering impact from science‑based systems, and managing a large codebase. You will support a team of Applied Scientists and Software Engineers—managing the design, implementation, and iteration cycle for forecasts and price optimizations, while also ensuring the operational excellence of our production pricing system. This position is a unique opportunity to connect with exceptional talents from many different backgrounds, and lead one of the highest‑impact teams at Lounge.

INCLUSIVE BY DESIGN

At Zalando, our vision is to be the leading pan‑European ecosystem for fashion and lifestyle e‑commerce – 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.

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

Lead a high‑performing, interdisciplinary team of Applied Scientists and Engineers, leveraging your commercial acumen to translate complex algorithmic capabilities into tangible business value. Mentor and grow technical talent, guide career trajectories, and foster an inclusive, highly collaborative team culture. Lead the team in defining and executing roadmaps, skillfully navigating the inherent uncertainty and complexity of our projects. Oversee identification and development of high‑impact pricing levers. Raise the bar for Applied Science excellence, inspiring the team to define and adopt cutting‑edge best practices and engineering standards. Communicate and problem‑solve effectively across all levels, acting as a trusted partner to product managers and commercial stakeholders.

WE’D LOVE TO MEET YOU IF…

• PhD or MSc in a quantitative field, with at least 5+ years of industry experience in Machine Learning, operations research, forecasting, economics, or other similar algorithmic fields.
• 2+ years of experience in people and project leadership within ambiguous environments.
• You are familiar with agile or project management methodologies tailored to the unpredictable nature of R&D.
• Proven track record in developing solutions from initial idea to production.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to bring clarity and structure to ambiguous technical problems.
• Strong experience with Python in applied context.
• A solid understanding of software engineering tools and best practices to help smoothly translate scientific research into production‑ready systems.

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
• 2 paid volunteering days a year
• Hybrid working model with up to 60% remote per week, actual practice is up to each team to best support their collaboration
• Work from abroad for up to 30 working days a year
• Employee shares program
• 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 counseling 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