INCLUSIVE BY DESIGN

At Zalando, our vision is to be inclusive by design. And this vision starts with our hiring - we do not discriminate on the basis of gender identity, sexual orientation, personal expression, ethnicity, religious belief, or disability status. You are welcome to leave out your picture, age, or marital status from your application. We only assess candidates on their qualifications and merit.
We want to provide you with a great candidate experience. Feel free to inform us of any accommodations you may need, so we can best support you throughout the hiring process.
do.BETTER - our diversity & inclusion strategy: https://corporate.zalando.com/en/our-impact/dobetter-our-diversity-and-inclusion-strategy
Our employee resource groups: https://corporate.zalando.com/en/our-impact/our-employee-resource-groups

THE ROLE & THE TEAM

The Category Strategy & GTM team, in collaboration with cross-functional teams, shares commercial ownership of a specific part of the business.
This team has two key responsibilities: (1) defining and translating category and sports-type strategies into actionable plans for individual execution, and (2) leading efforts to deliver an outstanding customer experience, transforming the Sports Proposition into a multi-specialist offering.
By utilising data-driven insights, the team makes informed decisions and works closely with other business functions to achieve commercial goals.

WHAT WE’D LOVE YOU TO DO (AND LOVE DOING)

Category Strategy
As the Junior Manager, Category Strategy & GTM, you support the Head of Category Strategy & GTM with the development of the Zalando Running & Cycling strategies in collaboration with the cross-functional sports type leaders in Buying, Merchandising & Marketing. You support to ensure the sports type strategy aligns with the overall Sports strategy & Zalando company direction, grounded in a deep understanding of Running & Cycling customer needs; taking full ownership of transforming strategy into actionable direction for each function and market. Your role involves clearly defining the steps and requirements necessary to drive the evolution toward a Running & Cycling specialist retailer.
Customer Experience Excellence
As the Junior Manager, Category Strategy & GTM, you are responsible for driving exceptional customer experiences for Running & Cycling, working closely with cross-functional marketing, content, CX & design teams. Serving as the Cycling lead and main point of contact, you ensure seamless execution of the strategic plan across marketing and content efforts. You collaborate with the Integrated Proposition Marketing, CSCC & ZMS teams to co-manage the customer calendar, ensuring alignment with all marketing and content initiatives. Additionally, you lead the GTM plans with key brand partners and markets for the assigned sports categories, overseeing the assortment selection within customer-facing content.
Customer Focus
Lead the development and management of Cycling customer profiles and insights, ensuring all teams have a clear understanding of the target customer.
Drive the development and optimisation of search strategies (both on-site and off-site), turning data insights into actionable opportunities.
Category Strategy
Support the development of the Cycling strategy with the Head of Category Strategy & GTM, in alignment with the Sports & Cycling Leadership Team.
Lead the translation of the Cycling strategy into actionable functional plans, both annually and seasonally, while carrying a supporting role on Running.
Facilitate effective communication and collaboration with Markets to ensure alignment and success.
Ensure transparency and provide insights on market share developments.
Manage and prioritise the brand category mapping, ensuring alignment with overarching strategic goals.
Oversee brand visibility management, ensuring that organic activities align with paid investments for maximum impact.
Customer experience excellence
Co-manage the Running & Cycling customer calendar (covering seasonal, commercial, sports types, brand, paid, and organic activities) with the Integrated Proposition Marketing, ZMS & CSCC teams.
Serve as the Cycling lead for calendar planning across content teams (including Brand, CSCC, SoZ, zPlus, & all others), while supporting on Running.
Oversee the execution of all Running & Cycling content-related activities in alignment with the strategy and the agreed-upon calendar.
Lead and implement Running & Cycling GTM plans, alongside Buying counterparts, with key Brand partners & Markets for the designated sports categories.
Provide guidance and support to content teams to ensure the delivery of high-quality Running & Cycling content that aligns with a specialist experience.
Collaborate with marketing and content teams to develop the Running & Cycling content strategy, including planning, creation, and execution.
Collaborate with marketing and content teams to foster innovation in Running & Cycling content and customer experiences, introducing new formats, placements, and entry points.
Oversee the Running & Cycling assortment and availability planning across marketing and content teams (ePDP, SoZ, zPlus, Invite Only, Get the Look, Talent Profiles, ePDP’s & all others).
Provide Running & Cycling insights to assist marketing and content teams with planning and executing their respective projects and workstreams.
Support the creation and development of centralised toolkits for partnerships and events, such as races, community events & talents.
Manage and drive the Running & Cycling Article Master Data process.