Team Lead People Operations (all genders)
Zalando · Gießen, Hesse, Germany
- On site
- Full-time
- €65,000 / year
- Gießen, Hesse, Germany
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Job highlights
- Lead and coach a motivated People Operations team.
- Oversee central HR processes like payroll and contracts.
- Collaborate with stakeholders and external authorities.
- Shape future team and process strategies.
- Ensure compliance with labor and tax laws.
About the role
Team Lead People Operations
As the Team Lead People Operations, you will be responsible for our central HR processes (e.g., Payroll, contract creation, and certificate creation) throughout an employee's lifecycle. Together with your team, you will drive and optimize our core processes to increase efficiency and improve the employee experience. You will take care of concerns and topics that really matter and can redesign processes and approaches with your colleagues. Are you ready to take not only your career but also Zalando to the next level with your commitment? We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Our Mission
You have the right skills, but don't meet every requirement? Then we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be exactly the right person for this or another role in our team! At Zalando, our vision is to build the leading European ecosystem for fashion and lifestyle e-commerce – one that thrives on diversity and is inclusive by design. We believe that diverse teams foster innovation and creativity, and we actively seek talent from diverse backgrounds. We actively strive to reduce bias in our hiring and employment processes by focusing on your qualifications, skills, and contributions. To support this, we ask you not to include personal details such as your photo, age, or marital status in your resume to ensure a fair and equitable evaluation based solely on your skills and potential. We are committed to providing a great and accessible candidate experience for everyone. Should you need support during the hiring process, please let us know – we are here for you. Learn more about our commitment to a diverse and inclusive work environment: https://jobs.zalando.com/de/our-culture/diversity-and-inclusion
Why the Role is Exciting for You…
- You will build, lead, and coach a highly motivated team of specialists, aiming to ensure high work quality and flawless workflows.
- You will act as a sparring partner for stakeholders within and outside of P&O (e.g., Finance, Tax, Legal) and also collaborate with external authorities.
- You will lead your team in decision-making with subject matter expertise.
- You have a vision for the future design of the team and processes and will work closely with our People Tech team to create the right technical landscape for the future of our HR processes.
- You will act as a reliable point of contact for all managers, HR Business Partners, and employees on labor, wage tax, and social security law matters, demonstrating secure communication in German and English.
- You will support the preparation and follow-up of payroll for our companies in Germany.
- You possess extensive professional experience in payroll and well-versed knowledge of wage tax, social security, and labor law, as well as a goal-oriented and meticulous working style.
We Would Like to Get to Know You If…
- You have proven experience in the professional and disciplinary team leadership of 3-5 employees, including personnel development through feedback cycles.
- You have relevant knowledge of labor law, social security, and German tax law.
- You have fluent German (C2) and ideally English skills (B2).
- You ideally have experience with SAP HCM, SuccessFactors, WorkDay, or other People Tech solutions.
- You ideally have experience in a dynamic (technology) environment, in fast-growing organizations, and in an international context; works council experience is a plus.
- You count process affinity and the ability to delve deep into problem identification among your strengths.
Our Benefits
Zalando offers a range of benefits. Here is an overview of what awaits you. Ask your Talent Acquisition Partner for more information about our benefits.
Please note that some benefits will only take effect after the official opening of the location in Summer 2026.
- 40% discount on Zalando products and 30% on Zalando Lounge, as well as discounts with external partners.
- An unlimited employment contract.
- Two days of paid leave per year for volunteer activities.
- Free Zalando shares through the employee share program.
- Employee discount portal via our external voucher platform.
- Support with family and health services, including mental well-being, with free initial consultations, legal advice, or coaching opportunities.
- Support for your development through our training platform and semi-annual peer-to-peer performance reviews.
- Subsidized meals in the company canteen after opening.
- Contribution to company pension plans.
- Free parking and charging stations.
- Free bus shuttle to the logistics center.
- Contribution to the job ticket or Deutschland Ticket.
- Contribution to a bicycle or e-bike through Deutsche Dienstrad.
Our Location in Giessen
Our European logistics network is growing. We are currently in the preparation phase for the opening of our new location in Giessen (Hesse), which is only one hour from Frankfurt am Main. The 130,000 square meter, state-of-the-art logistics center will be operated by Zalando and is designed for up to 1,700 employees. From this location, customers in Germany and neighboring markets will receive their packages starting in Summer 2026. Our employees in logistics ensure that more than 50 million Zalando customers in over 25 European markets receive their orders reliably every day. Zalando now has a Europe-wide logistics network with twelve locations in seven countries. In Germany alone, around 6,000 employees from over 100 nations work at four Zalando logistics sites. Learn everything about Zalando and our values here: https://jobs.zalando.com/de/?gh_src=22377bdd1us
Key skills/competency
- Team Leadership
- People Operations
- Payroll Management
- HR Processes
- Labor Law
- Social Security Law
- German Tax Law
- SAP HCM
- SuccessFactors
- WorkDay
Skills & topics
- Team Lead
- People Operations
- HR Management
- Payroll
- Labor Law
- Social Security
- German Tax Law
- SAP HCM
- SuccessFactors
- WorkDay
- Leadership
- Human Resources
- Employee Lifecycle
- HR Processes
- Team Management
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your team leadership experience and expertise in payroll, labor law, and HR processes. Remove personal details like photos to align with Zalando's inclusivity values.
- Showcase your People Tech skills: Emphasize any experience with SAP HCM, SuccessFactors, WorkDay, or similar HR systems.
- Demonstrate cultural fit: Research Zalando's mission, values, and commitment to diversity and inclusion. Prepare to discuss how your approach aligns with their inclusive hiring practices.
- Prepare for behavioral and technical questions: Be ready to discuss your experience in leading teams, handling complex HR issues, and your knowledge of German labor, tax, and social security laws.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What are the key responsibilities for a Team Lead People Operations at Zalando?
- The key responsibilities include leading and developing a team of 3-5 People Operations specialists, overseeing central HR processes like payroll, contract and certificate creation, acting as a subject matter expert for labor, wage tax, and social security law, and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders. You will also contribute to shaping the future of HR processes and the technical landscape.
- What are the essential qualifications for this Team Lead People Operations role at Zalando?
- Essential qualifications include proven experience in team leadership (3-5 employees), strong knowledge of German labor law, social security, and tax law, fluent German (C2) and ideally good English (B2) skills, and process affinity. Experience with People Tech solutions like SAP HCM, SuccessFactors, or WorkDay is highly desirable.
- Does Zalando have a specific policy regarding personal information on resumes for the Team Lead People Operations role?
- Yes, Zalando actively strives to reduce bias by focusing on qualifications. They request that candidates do not include personal details such as photos, age, or marital status on their resumes to ensure a fair evaluation based solely on skills and potential.
- What is the work arrangement and location for this Team Lead People Operations position?
- The role is based at Zalando's new logistics center in Giessen, Germany, which is set to open in Summer 2026. While the job description doesn't explicitly state the work arrangement, roles in operations often require a hybrid or on-site presence. Given the team leadership aspect, a hybrid model is plausible.
- What kind of benefits can I expect as a Team Lead People Operations at Zalando?
- Zalando offers a comprehensive benefits package, including discounts on products, an unlimited contract, employee share programs, support for family and health services (including mental well-being), development opportunities through a training platform, and contributions to company pension plans. Some benefits are tied to the new location's opening in Summer 2026.
- How does Zalando support diversity and inclusion in its hiring process for the Team Lead People Operations role?
- Zalando is committed to building an inclusive ecosystem and actively seeks diverse talent. They aim to reduce bias by focusing on qualifications and potential, and they encourage individuals who may not meet every single requirement to apply. They also offer support during the hiring process if needed.