Senior Category Planning Manager - maternity cover (all genders)

Zalando SE; Berlin; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days holiday

Employee shares program

Relocation assistance

Health & wellbeing options

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Training & development

Volunteer days

Job summary

Zalando SE is seeking a Senior Merchandise Planner for the Authentic Heritage unit in Berlin. You will own end-to-end financial KPI planning, govern inventory strategies and lead the Merchandise Planning team to optimize sales and profitability, leveraging advanced planning tools and Excel/Google Suite across cross-functional partners.

Successful candidates will bring 5+ years of merchandising experience, strong analytical skills, and a proven track record in planning cycles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business or a comparable field.
• 5+ years of experience in merchandising/merchandise planning, preferably in eCommerce.
• Proven track record of managing planning cycles and inventory optimization.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end planning to achieve financial KPI targets.
• Define and manage inventory strategies and monthly OTB cycles.
• Forecast sales using historical data and market trends and prepare actionable insights for cross-functional teams.
• Collaborate with marketing, operations and external stakeholders to execute merchandise plans.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency in planning.

Skills

Merchandise planning

Excel

Google Suite

Forecasting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or equivalent

Tools

ERP systems

Planning software

Google Suite

Job description

THE ROLE & THE TEAM

Zalando is Europe’s leading online platform for fashion, connecting customers, brands and partners across 24 markets. We drive digital solutions for fashion, logistics, advertising and research, bringing head-to-toe fashion to more than 49+ million active customers through diverse skill-sets, interests and languages our teams choose to use. As a Senior Merchandise Planner in Authentic Heritage, you hold end-to-end accountability for a specific business segment of significant turnover, high complexity, or strategic importance. Your primary responsibility is to define the financial KPI plan and ensure the business unit meets these targets. This involves planning and managing inventory to optimize sales and profitability while holding functional leadership over the Merchandise Planning team. In this role, you'll need a sharp analytical mindset, advanced knowledge of merchandise planning tools and processes, and the ability to work effectively with various departments. You'll analyse historical sales data and market trends to create accurate sales forecasts, preparing detailed reports and insights to support decision-making processes. Additionally, you will play an instrumental role in evolving these tools and processes to benefit the future business. This role is a maternity cover role until 31.10.2027.

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

Lead the end-to-end planning cycle to define and achieve financial KPI targets. Ensure full accountability for steering the business area to meet defined financial goals. Implement and monitor inventory strategies to maintain optimal stock levels, maximizing sales and minimizing excess stock through a monthly OTB cycle. Analyse historical sales data and market trends to create accurate sales forecasts. Prepare detailed reports and insights to support decision-making processes. Work closely with marketing, operations, and other cross-functional teams to ensure the successful execution of merchandise plans. Communicate effectively with external stakeholders to align on strategic goals and initiatives. Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy in merchandise planning. Leverage technology and tools to streamline planning processes and data analysis.

WE’D LOVE TO MEET YOU IF

You hold a Bachelor's degree in Business or a comparable field, with over 5 years of experience in Merchandising, preferably within eCommerce, and have managed at least two full planning cycles. You have demonstrated a high levels of personal accountability and a commitment to achieving outstanding results. You excel in dynamic, fast-paced environments, embracing change and consistently seeking innovative solutions to complex challenges. You possess excellent English skills, can communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, and have strong negotiation abilities. You love working with numbers, think strategically, and are an expert in Excel, other planning software, and Google Suite, using these tools to optimize planning processes.

OUR OFFER

Zalando provides a range of benefits, here’s an overview of what you can expect. Ask your Talent Acquisition Partner to learn more about what we offer.

• 27 days of holiday a year to start for full-time employees (+1 day for every calendar year up to 30 days)
• 40% off fashion and beauty products sold and shipped by Zalando, 30% off Lounge by Zalando, discounts from external partners
• Family support, including counselling and dedicated services for parents and carers
• Company pension scheme
• Employee shares programme
• Health and wellbeing options, including Wellhub Mental health support and coaching
• Development through our training platform and biannual peer-to-peer review
• 2 paid volunteering days a year
• Relocation assistance (subject to prior agreement)

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

It’s the perfect time to join Zalando on our journey, from being a pioneer in the world of e-commerce, to the Starting Point for Fashion in Europe. We connect customers, brands, and partners across 25 markets. Help us drive digital and sustainable solutions for fashion, logistics, advertising and research, bringing head-to-toe fashion to 50 million active customers through a team of diverse skill-sets, cultural backgrounds, and interests. Our values do.More - our sustainability strategy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/insidezalando