Senior Category Manager

Heritage isn't just a category — it's a cultural conversation, and you know how to speak it fluently. As a Senior Category Manager in our Heritage unit, you'll own a portfolio of one of the most strategically significant brands on Zalando's platform, shaping the assortments that define what fashion customers discover next. This maternity cover is until 31.08.2027. You'll take full ownership of your brand portfolio — developing and executing categories and buying strategies - that balance creative instinct with commercial precision. From assortment selection and seasonal planning through to in-season trading, you'll steer your business area with autonomy, always keeping the customer perspective and platform targets at the centre of every decision. Working closely with your unit lead, Merchandising counterparts, and platform teams, you'll translate Business Cluster targets and strategies into a brand-level strategy that delivers real impact — both in the current season and beyond. You'll bring functional leadership to the category team within your unit, acting as a coach and role model for peers while actively contributing to the broader Heritage cluster strategy. Beyond the numbers, you'll build and maintain trusted relationships with brands and internal stakeholders at all levels — driving mutually beneficial partnerships through clear communication and sharp negotiation. When complex challenges arise — operationally, strategically, or financially — you'll tackle them independently, using data to identify opportunities and inform decisions.

• You will plan, buy and develop your own brand portfolio, taking ownership and accountability of performance KPIs and communicating Zalando's strategy to your brand partners.
• You shape the mid- and long-term strategy for your brand portfolio and category, taking into account Zalando's platform strategy, your customer profile, evolving trends and the competitive landscape — staying fluent in your KPIs and steering seasonal budget and OTB in close collaboration with your Merchandiser to monitor performance and take decisive action
• You translate Business Cluster targets into a unit-level brand strategy, taking autonomous ownership of your business area through both in-season trading decisions and future-season planning
• Through your buying expertise, you support your unit lead in coaching and developing junior team members, sharing knowledge and helping build the capabilities of those around you
• You work closely with the PPB team and your counterparts to ensure holistic channel business development and the adoption of Zalando’s services.
• You work cross-functionally to drive sales and maximise profit, exchanging regularly with Content, Logistics, Marketing and Production to ensure your strategy moves in sync with the wider organisation
• Travel - Regular travel is required, potentially overseas

• A minimum of 5 years of buying fashion experience in a Head Office environment
• Knowledge in MS Office (especially Excel) and Google Workspace (Presentations, Sheets, Docs, etc.). Experiences with AI (esp. Gemini) are a strong plus.
• Deep knowledge of the streetwear landscape: brands, consumers, trends, and the cultural drivers behind them
• Proven ability to develop and execute assortment strategies grounded in customer insight and market intelligence
• Strong analytical skills with a commercially minded, KPI-driven approach
• Excellent negotiation capabilities and experience managing external brand relationships
• Confidence operating in a fast-paced environment, managing competing priorities across operational and strategic levels
• A collaborative mindset — you share knowledge, contribute to the team, and elevate those around you
• You're fluent in English (written and spoken)