Senior Category Manager - Authentic Heritage - maternity Cover (all genders)

Role: Senior Category Manager - Authentic Heritage (maternity cover until 31.08.2027) Responsibilities: - Plan, buy and develop your own brand portfolio, taking ownership and accountability of performance KPIs and communicating Zalando's strategy to brand partners. - Shape mid- and long-term strategy for your brand portfolio and category, considering platform strategy, customer profile, trends, and competitive landscape; steer seasonal budget and OTB in collaboration with Merchandiser. - Translate Business Cluster targets into unit-level brand strategy, taking autonomous ownership of business area through in-season trading and future-season planning. - Support unit lead in coaching and developing junior team members through buying expertise. - Work closely with PPB team and counterparts to ensure holistic channel business development and adoption of Zalando's services. - Work cross-functionally with Content, Logistics, Marketing, and Production to drive sales and maximize profit. - Travel regularly, potentially overseas. Qualifications: - Minimum 5 years of buying fashion experience in a Head Office environment. - Knowledge in MS Office (especially Excel) and Google Workspace; experience with AI (esp. Gemini) is a strong plus. - Deep knowledge of the streetwear landscape: brands, consumers, trends, and cultural drivers. - 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. - Collaborative mindset and fluency in English. What We Offer: - 27 days of holiday a year to start (+1 day per calendar year up to 30 days) - 2 paid volunteering days a year - Employee shares programme - 40% off fashion and beauty products sold 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) - Mental health support and coaching - Development through training platform and biannual peer-to-peer review