Job Description

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. Our Engineers are responsible for building and maintaining the components or integrations of our software products. The owner of this position is passionate about developing software and is experienced with modern software technologies and frameworks. Engineers are the backbone of the C&A organization, creating and developing the tools needed for the business units to meet their goals.

We build on traditions as long as they don't stop us from growing. Therefore, we continuously reflect our actions and strive for improvement. This is the only way we can live up to our own standards to reinvent the fashion business in a sustainable way.

We are looking for an experienced, hands‑on Portfolio Manager CEE to manage a large retail portfolio of 150+ stores across multiple Central & Eastern European countries. This role is highly dynamic, strategic, and entrepreneurial — perfect for someone who thrives in fast‑changing environments and enjoys shaping the future of a large international retail footprint.

You will be responsible for leading lease negotiations, steering portfolio strategy, strengthening relationships with landlords, and ensuring our stores meet C&A’s commercial and operational objectives.

Your responsibilities

Lead Portfolio Strategy & Optimization

• Manage and develop a multi‑country store portfolio, ensuring right‑sizing, refurbishments, relocations, or consolidation where needed.
• Ensure stores meet commercial, financial and operational expectations linked to C&A’s strategy.
• Anticipate market developments and propose proactive portfolio actions.

Drive Complex Lease Negotiations & Projects

• Lead negotiations and renegotiations for leases, redevelopments, expansions, and restructurings.
• Simultaneously manage multiple projects across different countries with tight deadlines.

Build Strong Market Relationships

• Be the primary contact for landlords, property managers, developers, and peer retailers.
• Represent C&A at fairs, industry events, and in regular market visits across assigned countries.

Collaborate Across the Business

• Work closely with Selling, Construction, Finance, Legal, Facility Management, and Country Management.
• Communicate complex issues clearly to senior stakeholders.

Ensure Commercial & Legal Risk Control

• Analyze lease agreements and reduce contractual liabilities.
• Improve lease conditions using local tenancy law frameworks and negotiation strategies.

Provide Clear, Impactful Reporting

• Present structured business cases, scenarios, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Maintain accurate KPIs, lease databases, and critical portfolio data.

What you bring

• Strong negotiation and project management skills with proven experience in lease negotiations.
• A self‑starter mentality — proactive, solution‑oriented, independent.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, unstructured, fast‑changing environment.
• Excellent stakeholder management abilities across multiple cultures and contexts.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to simplify complexity.
• Highly organized, action‑oriented, pragmatic (80/20 thinking).
• Solid knowledge of commercial real estate, tenancy law, and leasing structures.
• Genuine interest in retail and consumer‑facing industries.
• Willingness to travel frequently across the assigned countries.

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
• A flexible hybrid work environment
• An employee discount of 20% in C&A stores
• An exciting job in an international and inspirational working environment
• A positive working atmosphere and a talented team with an open feedback culture