Category Manager Private Label - Home & Living and Accessories

About the Role and Team

Zalando serves as Europe's premier online fashion platform, linking customers, brands, and partners across 20 countries. Our mission blends digital innovation in fashion, logistics, advertising, and research to deliver a complete fashion experience to over 45 million active users. Our Private Label Team focuses on fashion and lifestyle, curating an on-trend and commercially successful product range spanning shoes, apparel, accessories, and home & living. Beyond trend identification, we emphasize KPI monitoring and coordinated teamwork with departments such as Design, Product Development, Merchandising, Logistics, Content, Photo Production, Marketing, and Onsite teams to ensure a seamless customer experience.

As a Buyer at Zalando Private Label, you will contribute to the creation and management of product offerings and collection planning. Your responsibilities include guaranteeing that development milestones meet quality and deadlines, negotiating key purchase and delivery terms with suppliers, and working closely with cross-functional teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage your assigned business segment autonomously, focusing on commercial outcomes for current and upcoming seasons while implementing the buying strategy.
• Collaborate with merchandising to establish seasonal brand strategies, budget allocation, and assortment planning.
• Serve as the primary liaison for international suppliers, handling price and delivery negotiations as well as supplier relationship growth.
• Oversee the entire development process from product inception through order placement to final delivery, ensuring timely product availability.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and foundational guidance to junior colleagues within your domain.
• Address operational, strategic, and financial challenges independently with data-driven solutions that unlock commercial potential.
• Communicate company strategies effectively, contribute to platform objectives, and prioritize team matters to nurture collaboration.
• Work hand-in-hand with the planning team during the season to ensure product availability aligns with market demand.
• Maintain close cooperation with the design team to align collections with customer preferences.
• Establish and nurture cross-departmental partnerships to boost sales and optimize profitability.
• Participate in seasonal international travel for supplier visits, trade fairs, and sourcing excursions to maintain a competitive assortment.

Candidate Profile

• Possess a bachelor's or master's degree in Business Administration, Economics, Fashion Management, or a related field.
• Bring over three years of professional experience in Buying or Merchandising at a managerial level, ideally with expertise in home and living categories, coupled with enthusiasm for e-commerce.
• Excel in fast-moving environments by embracing collaboration, demonstrating proactive behavior, and managing workloads efficiently to meet deadlines with accuracy and prioritization.
• Have a strategic mindset capable of linking planning with timely and complete delivery execution.
• Proficient in MS Office, Google Tools, and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software, combining numerical acumen with fashion knowledge and keen trend awareness.

Benefits

• Start with 27 annual leave days, increasing by one day each year up to a maximum of 30 days for full-time employees.
• Two paid volunteering days per year.
• Participation in an employee share program.
• Attractive discounts including 40% off Zalando’s fashion and beauty products, 30% off Lounge by Zalando, and offers from external partners.
• Relocation support available upon prior agreement.
• Access to family-related services including counseling and support.
• Comprehensive health and wellbeing initiatives, including fitness programs and mental health coaching.
• Opportunities for personal development through training platforms and biannual peer feedback evaluations.

Inclusion and Accessibility

Zalando is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates even if some qualifications are unmet, and focus on evaluating skills and contributions without bias. Candidates needing accommodations during the recruitment process are invited to request support to ensure an equitable experience.