Vanderlande is a global leader in automated warehousing solutions, integrating advanced material-handling systems with intelligent software to create high-throughput, flexible, and scalable warehouses. As the organization continues expanding its digital capabilities, the Warehouse Management System (WMS) plays a critical role in enabling accurate inventory control, seamless order fulfillment, and optimal coordination with Vanderlande’s automation platforms.
Role Purpose
The Product Owner – WMS is responsible for defining, prioritizing, and delivering software capabilities that drive inventory accuracy, order management efficiency, and operational visibility across highly automated warehouse environments. This role focuses on orchestrating WMS logic, enhancing workflow capabilities, and ensuring reliable integration with Vanderlande’s WES, WCS, automation controls, and back-end enterprise systems.
You will work closely with software engineering, solution architecture, UX, data teams, commissioning teams, and global customers to build a robust, configurable, and scalable WMS tailored for automation-driven fulfillment centers.
Key Responsibilities
Functional Design & Backlog Management
- Translate operational warehousing processes into detailed WMS features, user stories, workflows, and acceptance criteria.
- Prioritize the backlog based on customer value, operational impact, regulatory requirements, and integration dependencies.
- Ensure user stories clearly reflect functional logic, data structures, configuration rules, and usability aspects.
- Collaborate with architects to validate feasibility, data models, interfaces, and system performance considerations.
Collaboration & Requirements
- Work with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to translate business needs into solutions with clear acceptance criteria.
- Align feature functionality with Business Architects, (Chief) Product Owners and Product Architects.
Delivery & Prioritization
- Set priorities and manage dependencies with stakeholders and the Scrum Master.
- Resolve conflicts and adapt to changing requirements to meet commitments.
- Communicate progress and risks proactively.
Continuous Improvement
- Own and prioritize the team backlog to maximize value.
- Drive feedback loops, retrospectives, and root cause analysis for process improvement.
- Partner with the Development Manager and Scrum Master to ensure team focus and capability.
Vision & Roadmap
- Define and execute product strategy for adoption, governance, and self-service.
- Collaborate on market research and future features.
- Align with stakeholders to accelerate adoption.
- Define and refine interfaces between WMS and Material-handling equipment
Collaboration & Delivery
- Partner with software engineering, QA, DevOps, UX, solution design, commissioning, and service teams.
- Lead sprint ceremonies—planning, review, and demos—ensuring global teams understand requirements and outcomes.
- Work closely with commissioning teams to support live deployment in customer warehouses, validating WMS behavior under real workloads.
- Contribute to configuration guidelines, user documentation, and operational training materials.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, or related fields.
- Total 10+ years of experience as a Product Owner or Business Analyst, advantageous if in WMS, supply chain software, or warehouse operations.
- Strong understanding of core warehouse functional areas: receiving, put-away, picking, packing, replenishment, inventory control, and shipping.
- Experience with enterprise WMS platforms or automation-aligned WMS solutions.
- Familiarity with:
- Data modeling, APIs, and integration frameworks
- Rule-based engines and configurable workflows
- Real-time event handling in automated environments
- Proven ability to translate operational needs into clear, technical user stories.
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Solid command of Agile/Scrum methodologies.
- Direct experience in automated warehouse environments or with material-handling vendors
- Product Owner certifications (PSPO, CSPO, SAFe PO/PM).
- Experience with warehouse simulations or digital twins.
Top Skills
What We Do
Vanderlande is the global market leader for future-proof logistic process automation at airports. The company is also a leading supplier of process automation solutions for warehouses and in the parcel market.
Vanderlande’s baggage handling systems are capable of moving over 4 billion pieces of baggage around the world per year. Its systems are active in more than 600 airports including 12 of the world’s top 20. More than 52 million parcels are sorted by its systems every day, which have been installed for the world’s leading parcel companies. In addition, many of the largest global e-commerce players and retailers have confidence in Vanderlande’s efficient and reliable solutions.
The company focuses on the optimisation of its customers’ business processes and competitive positions. Through close cooperation, it strives for the improvement of their operational activities and the expansion of their logistical achievements. Vanderlande’s extensive portfolio of integrated solutions – innovative systems, intelligent software and life-cycle services – results in the realisation of fast, reliable and efficient automation technology.
Established in 1949, Vanderlande has more than 7,500 employees, all committed to moving its customers’ businesses forward at diverse locations on every continent. With a consistently increasing turnover of 1.8 billion euros, it has established a global reputation over the past seven decades as a highly reliable partner for future-proof logistic process automation.
Vanderlande was acquired in 2017 by Toyota Industries Corporation, which will help it to continue its sustainable profitable growth. The two companies have a strong strategic match, and the synergies include cross-selling, product innovations, and research and development.
