Senior Category Manager - Maternity cover(all genders)

Role As a Senior Buyer in Beauty, you will join a high‑performing team shaping the future of skincare at Zalando. You will own a brand portfolio, develop strategies to acquire new partners and drive growth within the Skincare unit, and act as a strategic lead for Junior and Assistant Buyers while collaborating closely with Merchandising to meet unit KPIs. This is a 12‑month maternity‑cover position. Responsibilities - Drive portfolio excellence by taking ownership of the brand portfolio, setting creative direction and identifying skincare trends to ensure a market‑leading assortment. - Acquire new brands, leveraging marketing insights to increase visibility and attract consumers. - Partner with Merchandising to define strategy, manage budgets and take data‑driven actions based on KPIs to maximise unit profit. - Negotiate terms with external partners to support category and company growth. - Build and maintain long‑term relationships with global brand partners. - Collaborate cross‑functionally with Marketing, Content, Photo Production and Logistics to deliver a seamless customer experience. Qualifications - Minimum 4 years of buying experience in a head‑office or e‑commerce environment, preferably in Beauty. - Deep knowledge of the beauty industry and strong sense for upcoming skincare trends. - Excellent analytical skills; proficient with Google Suite and MS Office (especially Excel). - Proven negotiation skills and a track record of business acquisition and results delivery. - Agile, proactive and organized in fast‑paced environments. - Collaborative mindset; experience mentoring junior colleagues while working independently. What We Offer - 27 days holiday (increasing up to 30 days with tenure) plus 2 paid volunteering days. - Hybrid working model with up to 60 % remote work. - Opportunity to work abroad up to 30 days per year. - Employee share programme and discounts on fashion and beauty products. - Relocation assistance, family services, health and wellbeing options, mental‑health support and coaching. - Development opportunities through training platforms and bi‑annual peer‑to‑peer reviews.