THE ROLE AND THE TEAM
ZEOS is Zalando's B2B platform - the core engine that enables partners to integrate with and scale inside the Zalando ecosystem, spanning logistics, fulfilment, commerce and software services. We operate a holistic, API-first environment that lets brands, retailers and technology partners run and scale their entire e-commerce business, on or off Zalando.
Every integration ends the same way. Once completed, ZEOS and the partner have to jointly prove that the solution actually works, through system integration and end-to-end testing. These are the final, non-negotiable steps before a merchant goes live. In a genuine platform business, onboarding the next merchant should cost less than onboarding the last one, and the quality assurance process and tools are critical for the effectiveness of our merchant’s integrations.
As Senior Test Manager, you will own what "validation" means for a ZEOS integration with a partner. You will define how we prove an integration is ready, drive the standardisation and automation that make that proof cheaper with every merchant, and orchestrate the internal and external capacity needed to execute it. This is a senior, individual-contributor role within the technology organisation, with broad cross-functional influence: you set the standard and coordinate across domain and platform engineering, product, onboarding and external testing partners rather than manage a team of testers. Accountability for a successful go-live continues to sit with onboarding; what you remove is the labour and the improvisation, not the ownership.
Learn more about ZEOS https://www.zeos.eu/
WHAT WE'D LOVE YOU TO DO (AND LOVE DOING)
Own the definition of validation: Establish what "ready to go live" means at ZEOS: this includes on defining and maintaining a set of integration archetypes, each with a standard test plan and clear acceptance criteria, which replaces one-off, per-project scoping.
Drive standardisation across integrations: Reduce the variation partners bring to us by defining archetypes at the capability level, where variation is genuinely low, and by working to consolidate integration paths so that each new merchant inherits a proven pattern rather than a bespoke one.
Shape the automation roadmap: Use cross-team influence to raise the level of test automation and to prioritise the tooling beneath it, including sandboxed test-in-live conditions, synthetic data injection, reusable synthetic merchant setups, and reporting automation as properly funded initiatives on domain and platform engineering roadmaps.
Orchestrate flexible execution: Stand up and manage external testing partners (e.g. managed test execution or crowdtesting providers such as Applause) so that manual test capacity flexes with the commercial pipeline and make that external capacity efficient by giving it the structure and test design to work within.
Coordinate the merchant boundary: Set expectations, processes and communication channels with merchants and technology partners early, keeping a clean line between what ZEOS validates and what belongs to the merchant's own systems, data and edge cases.
Execute where needed, at first: In the near term, be hands-on in running integration and end-to-end tests yourself and with the support from the wider ZEOS team, using that direct experience to shape the standards, archetypes and tooling that will progressively remove the manual load on end to end validations.
Lay the groundwork for certification: Build the foundation of a certified integration path with ZEOS: archetypes, acceptance criteria and proven integration patterns, so that validation can eventually collapse from full end-to-end testing to configuration checks the onboarding team can run with minimal supervision.
WE'D LOVE TO MEET YOU IF
Test leadership: You have significant experience owning test or QA strategy in complex, integration-heavy environments. A strong plus if you have previous experience in B2B platforms, e-commerce, logistics or SaaS, and have set standards that outlived any single project.
Integration and API depth: You understand how modern API integrations are validated end-to-end (REST APIs, asynchronous flows, and order, inventory and fulfilment processes) and can design test plans and acceptance criteria that hold up across different partners.
Automation strategy: You know what good test automation looks like and how to get there, including test data management, synthetic data, environment and sandbox strategy, and reporting. A strong plus if you demonstrate the ability to drive it through other teams rather than building all of it yourself.
Influence without authority: You can shape engineering and product roadmaps across multiple teams and align them behind shared testing capabilities. You are comfortable operating as a senior individual contributor rather than through a direct reporting line.
Vendor orchestration: You have managed external testing partners or crowdtesting providers and know how to make outsourced execution efficient and valuable.
Hands-on and pragmatic: You are senior enough to set the standard and still willing to run the tests yourself in the early phase, to earn the credibility and the insight that a good standard depends on.
Strong communicator: You possess excellent English skills and the ability to set expectations and explain technical trade-offs clearly to both engineering teams and external partners. The role requires interaction with merchants (our clients) and partners (integrators, providers, etc).
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 (+1 day for every calendar year up to 30 days)
40% off fashion and beauty products sold and shipped by Zalando, 30% off Lounge by Zalando, discounts from external partners
Family support, including counselling and dedicated services for parents and carers
Company pension scheme
Employee shares programme
Health and wellbeing options, including Wellhub
Mental health support and coaching
Development through our training platform and biannual peer-to-peer review
2 paid volunteering days a year
Relocation assistance (subject to prior agreement)
INCLUSIVE BY DESIGN
If you think you have what it takes, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every single requirement. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles!
At Zalando, our vision is to be the leading European technology platform for fashion and lifestyle – 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.
Discover more about our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace: https://jobs.zalando.com/en/our-culture/diversity-and-inclusion
