Project & Controlling Manager

The future looks like you

With over 1,300 stores in 17 European countries and more than 25,000 employees, C&A is one of Europe’s leading fashion retailers. Every day, C&A welcomes millions of visitors to its stores in Europe and to its online shop. C&A offers quality and long-lasting fashion at affordable prices for
the many. We are building on more than 180 years of experience in the fashion industry and continuously modernize the company to become an omnichannel fashion retailer.

The Project & Controlling Manager is responsible for the end-to-end planning, execution, and financial controlling of individual distribution center (DC) projects. Reporting into the Unit Leader DC Operations, this role ensures that assigned DC projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with operational, safety, and quality standards. Long term, this role will support our Operations Excellence and Continuous Improvement Initiatives for Logistics.

The Project & Controlling Manager acts as the single point of accountability for project delivery and financial performance of a specific DC project, coordinating cross-functional stakeholders, 3PL partners, and vendors from project initiation through go-live and structured handover to steady-state operations.

Your responsibilities

Project Planning & Execution:

• Own and execute detailed project and budget plans for assigned DC projects, including timelines, milestones, budgets, and resource requirements.
• Translate DC project strategy and standards into executable project and budget plans.
• Conduct site-specific risk assessments and implement mitigation actions.
• Maintain complete and accurate project documentation.
• Track and control project budgets, cost forecasts, and variances, providing regular financial reporting to project stakeholders.
• Participate in Tender process and lead process design workshops.

Cross-Functional Project Management:

• Lead cross-functional teams including Operations, IT, Process Engineering, HR, Procurement, Finance, and Safety.
• Act as the primary operational interface to 3PL partners for the assigned DC project.
• Coordinate construction readiness, equipment installation, and system integration.
• Track milestones, proactively manage risks, and escalate issues when required.

Operational Setup & Readiness:

• Implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) aligned with global and regional standards.
• Support WMS / TMS and other required system setup, testing, and operational readiness.
• Validate all processes, capacity, and inbound/outbound/VAS/Returns flows.
• Ensure compliance with safety, security, and regulatory requirements.

Team Readiness & Training:

• Support recruitment planning in collaboration with HR and the 3PL.
• Coordinate training plans to ensure operational readiness.
• Validate staffing levels and productivity assumptions.

Stakeholder & Vendor Management:

• Serve as the main point of contact for internal stakeholders.
• Manage day-to-day collaboration with 3PLs and vendors.
• Provide structured project and financial updates to the Head of DC Operations.

Go-Live & Post-Implementation Controlling:

• Lead go-live execution and stabilization phase.
• Monitor early performance and cost development against KPIs and budget, and drive corrective actions.
• Implement and lead structured operational improvements to meet SLA related KPIs in an earliest possible time
• Support post-implementation reviews, final cost reconciliation, and structured handover to operations.

What you bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field.
• Proven 8-10 years of experience in project management and project controlling within warehouse start-ups or large-scale logistics projects.
• Experience working with or managing 3PL-operated warehouses.
• Strong understanding of warehouse operations and inventory management.
• Experience supporting WMS implementation and system go-live from a project and controlling perspective.
• Strong project management and stakeholder coordination skills.
• Strong experience in project budget tracking, cost controlling, financial reporting, and safety compliance.
• Strong experience in operations excellence, continuous improvement and lean.
• Strong Analytical skills.
• Strong communication skills.

What we offer

This is an opportunity for you to join us on a truly exciting transformation journey, where you’ll be able to leave footprints that last and contribute significantly to our vision. As well as knowing that you played a key part in the evolution of one of Europe’s most recognizable retail brands, you will also enjoy:

• Countless learning and development opportunities via our C&A academy
• Access to a Partner Discount Scheme
• An employee discount of 20% in C&A stores
• 30 days' vacation
• Corporate pension scheme
• Mental health and wellness program
• An exciting job in an international and inspirational working environment
• A positive working atmosphere and a talented team with an open feedback culture