Category Manager (Apparel Category)

ZALORA Group; Kuala Lumpur; Hybrid; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

ZALORA Group in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is seeking a Category Manager to drive the Apparel category with a data‑driven approach and strong supplier partnerships. The role is based in Kuala Lumpur with a hybrid work setup and involves leading a cross‑functional team to deliver compelling product assortments.

The ideal candidate has 4–5 years in e‑commerce, excels in analytics and leadership, and can craft strategies that boost sales, margins, and market share across brands and subcategories.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in any field.
• 4–5 years of relevant experience in e‑commerce or related field.
• Experience in management consulting, corporate strategy, business development, and e‑commerce is a plus.
• Strong leadership and team management experience.
• Highly analytical with strong problem-solving skills.
• Strong business acumen and commercial savviness.
• Willingness to work in a multicultural environment.
• Advanced Excel and Looker proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the apparel category strategy aligned with sales, margin, and growth objectives.
• Define product assortment across brands, subcategories, sizes, colors, price points, and customer segments.
• Build relationships with brands and suppliers; negotiate terms and stock commitments.
• Monitor sales, margins, sell-through, inventory health, and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead seasonal buying decisions and intake planning for right products at the right time.
• Set pricing, promotions, and campaigns to optimize conversions and profitability.
• Analyze customer behavior and market trends to improve category performance.
• Collaborate with planning, supply chain, and marketing on campaigns and onsite execution.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Leadership

Business acumen

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Excel

Looker

Job description

We’re looking for a Category Manager based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to help accelerate growth within ZALORA’s Fashion Apparel category.

This role is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and follows a hybrid working arrangement.

This is a unique opportunity to influence decisions, shape brand success on ZALORA, and make a real impact in one of Southeast Asia’s leading fashion e-commerce platforms.

Responsibilities:

• Minimum 4–5 years of relevant working experience, preferably in e-commerce or a related industry; experience in business development, sales, or account management is preferred.
• Category Strategy: Develop and execute the apparel category strategy in line with company sales, margin, market share, and growth objectives.
• Assortment Planning: Define the right product assortment across brands, subcategories, sizes, colors, price points, and customer segments based on market demand and customer insights.
• Brand and Supplier Management: Build strong relationships with brands and suppliers, negotiate commercial terms, and secure competitive product, pricing, marketing, and stock commitments.
• Sales and Performance Management: Monitor sales, margin, sell-through, stock turn, availability, and inventory health to identify opportunities and address underperformance.
• Buying and Range Selection: Lead seasonal range reviews, product selection, buying decisions, and intake planning to ensure the right products are available at the right time.
• Pricing and Promotional Strategy: Set and optimize pricing, markdowns, promotions, and campaign participation to drive conversion while protecting profitability.
• Customer and Market Insights: Analyze customer behavior, fashion trends, competitor activity, and market developments to improve category performance and relevance.
• Inventory Management: Work closely with planning, supply chain, and warehouse teams to manage stock levels, replenishment, aged inventory, returns, and product availability.
• Campaign and Onsite Execution: Partner with marketing and onsite teams to maximize product visibility through campaigns, homepage placements, search optimization, and other commercial initiatives.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate with finance, marketing, operations, logistics, technology, and customer service teams to deliver category objectives.
• Team Leadership and Development: Manage, coach, and develop the category team, establish clear priorities, and ensure strong execution and accountability.

Requirements :

• Bachelor's degree in any field, with at least 4/5 years of working experience in relevant field
• Prior working experience in management consulting, corporate strategy, business development, and e-commerce is a plus
• Experienced in management and leadership roles. Passionate in coaching, mentoring and team management
• Highly analytical and able to generate meaningful and actionable analysis; Strong logical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Possess strong business acumen and commercial savviness
• Willingness to work in a multicultural environment
• Advance working knowledge of Excel, Looker is preferred

The ZALORA Story

ZALORA is Asia’s Online Fashion Destination. Founded in 2012, the company has a presence in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Hong Kong. ZALORA is part of Global Fashion Group, the world's leader in online fashion for emerging markets. ZALORA offers an extensive collection of top international and local brands and products across apparel, shoes, accessories, and beauty categories for men and women. Offering up to 30-day free returns, speedy deliveries as fast as 3 hours, free delivery over a certain spend, and multiple payment methods including cash-on-delivery, ZALORA is the online shopping destination with endless fashion possibilities.

ZALORA is not obligated to accept resumes from any third parties on behalf of potential candidates for any position (advertised or otherwise) by any means, unless ZALORA has executed a written agreement with such third party and has expressly requested such third party for candidate referrals. Third parties who provide unsolicited resumes of candidate(s) shall waive and forfeit all rights to claim for any placement fees or referral fees in the event that such candidate is eventually engaged or employed by ZALORA or Global Fashion Group