Category Manager - Buying Fashion Private Label Women Footwear (all genders)

Zalando is Europe’s leading online platform for fashion, connecting customers, brands and partners across 20 markets.

We drive digital solutions for fashion, logistics, advertising and research, bringing head‑to‑toe fashion to more than 45+ million active customers through diverse skill‑sets, interests and languages our teams choose to use.

Our Private Label Team is passionate about fashion and lifestyle.

We want customers to find the perfect fashion and lifestyle products for them, from shoes and clothing and accessories.

Private Label’s task is to put together an on‑trend and profitable selection of products.

We love creating new products for an attractive price point for the Zalando shops, but finding the right trends is only one aspect, as we also need to keep track of our KPIs and processes.

Constant exchange with other departments like Design, Product Development, Merchandising, logistics, content and photo production, the onsite team and marketing ensures that we act in line with the whole organisation.

In the end, we are all working towards the same goal: to create an excellent experience for our customers at Zalando.

As a Category Manager at Zalando Private Label you support the team in product development and collection planning.

You will ensure that all necessary development processes are completed at high quality and timely to provide collection being available for purchase at the right time.

You will cooperate closely with our suppliers to negotiate all essential purchase and delivery terms.

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.

• WHAT WE’D LOVE YOU TO DO (AND LOVE DOING)
• You will independently steer your defined business area, driving commercial impact in both current and future seasons while executing the buying strategy.
• Working with merchandising, be responsible for defining your brands seasonal strategy and beyond including budget and assortment planning.
• Contact person for our international suppliers - to negotiate prices and delivery terms and expand supplier relationships.
• Supervise the critical path from development to order placement and final delivery - to ensure product is timely available for purchase.
• Act as a functional leader and role model, providing support, guidance and foundational coaching to junior team members within your area.
• Independently address complex operational, strategic and financial challenges, bringing forward data-supported solutions to resolve problems and unlock new commercial opportunities.
• Effectively communicate company strategy, actively contributing to the goals of the platform while prioritizing team topics and challenges to foster a collaborative environment.
• In season management - work closely with our planning team in order to ensure that our products are available for purchase.
• Close cooperation with design team - to ensure collection is well responding to our customers demand.
• Exchanging and building successful relationships with other departments, you will work cross-functionally to drive sales and maximise profit.
• Seasonal travel for international supplier visits, trade shows, and sourcing trips to keep your assortments ahead of the curve.

QUALIFICATIONS

• You have bachelor’s or master’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Fashion Management or an education in a similar area.
• You have a professional knowledge (+3 years) in Buying or Merchandising on manager level and passion and interest for world of e-commerce.
• You are thriving in fast-paced environments, embracing collaboration and acting proactively.

Organising your workload efficiently, ensuring tasks are ready on time, are accurate and prioritised accordingly.

• You have a strategic mindset with the ability to connect plans to timely and in full delivery.
• You have knowledge in MS Office, Google Tools, PLM and you are combining the passion for numbers with fashion. Moreover, you have a strong understanding for trends and products.
• OUR OFFER
• 27 days of holiday a year to start for full‑time employees (+1 day for every calendar year up to 30 days)
• 2 paid volunteering days a year
• Employee shares programme
• 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 counselling 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
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