THE ROLE & THE TEAM
As a Junior Category Manager, you hold end-to-end commercial accountability for a specific business segment. Your primary responsibility is to define the business unit’s strategy and ensure it meets its financial growth targets. This involves curating a highly relevant product assortment and managing strategic brand relationships to optimise sales and profitability.
In this role, you'll need a sharp commercial mindset, excellent negotiation skills, and the ability to work effectively with various cross-functional departments. You'll analyse market trends, consumer behaviour, and historical performance data to build compelling assortment strategies, preparing detailed insights to support high-level decision-making processes.
Key responsibilities include deepening existing partnerships, negotiating terms, fostering the ecosystem strategy and executing a category vision that aligns with customer preferences. You will collaborate seamlessly with your counterparts in the Category Planning teams to balance inventory and achieve ambitious sales and margin targets.
This is a pivotal C5 Junior Category Management role within our Authentic Heritage Flagship 2 Heritage Business and reports directly to the Lead of Category Management.
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 pan-European ecosystem for fashion and lifestyle e-commerce – 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
WHAT WE’D LOVE YOU TO DO (AND LOVE DOING)
Identification of the best product selection for some of your unit’s brands to increase
performance indicators, whilst being passionate about fashion and a market expert with a European view of the latest trends
Finding the right assortment balance between being commercial and fashionable at the same time
Checking trends, sourcing new brands, negotiating the best terms for Zalando whilst you manage daily relationships with the existing suppliers
Know your KPIs and partner with the merchandise team for planning the budget and the OTB to monitor and review the performance of your unit, making recommendations based on valid numbers
Exchanging and building successful relationships with other departments like Operations,
Content and Photo production, Onsite Management and Marketing. You will work cross functionally to drive sales and maximise profit
WE’D LOVE TO MEET YOU IF
2-3 years of brand fashion buying experience in a head office or within e-commerce retailer, preferably with a background in footwear and accessories
Excellent analytical skills, knowledge in MS Office (especially Excel and formulas) and combining the passion for numbers with fashion and trends
Negotiation is in your blood and you are always a compelling figure when communicating with suppliers and other stakeholders
Quick thinking and proactive attitude, which also means you keep on top of things in a fast-paced environment, while embracing collaboration. Being able to work in a team as well as being very independent
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
2 paid volunteering days a year
Hybrid working model with up to 60% remote per week, actual practice is up to each team to best support their collaboration
Work from abroad for up to 30 working days a year
Employee shares program
40% off fashion and beauty products sold and shipped by Zalando, 30% off Lounge by Zalando, discounts from external partners
Relocation assistance available (subject to prior agreement)
Family services, including counseling and support
Health and wellbeing options (including Wellhub, formerly Gympass)
Mental health support and coaching available
Drive your development through our training platform and biannual peer-to-peer review
