Zalando

Department: Markets

Reports to: VP Commercial Planning & Trading

Team Size: 8 Direct Reports, overall Team Size = 50 FTE

ABOUT THE TEAM

MP&T (Markets Planning and Trading) is responsible for the commercial strategy, planning and trading for each of our markets. They create localized commercial strategies to enhance the customer experience and improve customer engagement as well as planning and steering commercial investments to drive growth while deepening the relationships with our customers.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As the Director of Markets Planning and Trading, you will play a pivotal role in driving the commercial performance of the Fashion Store business, with a clear focus on achieving key targets around GMV, Gross Margin, and EBIT. You will be responsible for steering and aligning country-level Retail Management and Commercial Planning teams, while also overseeing Global Planning & Trading and Central Retail and Sales Campaigns. Operating in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, you will lead strategic decision-making and manage complex stakeholder relationships across multiple functions and markets. You will take the lead in managing large-scale commercial events, such as Cyber Week, ensuring strong planning, flawless execution, and impactful results. Additionally, a key aspect of the role will be building scalable processes and solutions that empower teams to make informed decisions with less operational overhead, thereby increasing efficiency and agility. This is a high-impact leadership role at the heart of Commercial Planning and Trading, requiring a blend of commercial acumen, strategic thinking, operational excellence, and cross-functional leadership.

WHERE YOUR EXPERTISE IS NEEDED

• Commercial acumen: You will drive key commercial outcomes across GMV, Gross Margin, and EBIT by leading market-level planning and trading. Oversee major commercial events like Cyber Week, ensuring strategic planning and strong results.
• Stakeholder Management: You will align with cross-functional teams across markets and central functions to ensure seamless execution and impactful collaboration.
• Openness to Change: You will steer the team through change in a fast-paced environment.
• Strategic mindset: You will shape and deliver the commercial planning strategy, balancing long-term goals with operational efficiency. Build scalable processes that enable faster, data-driven decisions.
• Inspirational, empathetic Leadership: You will lead and empower high-performing teams with clarity and care. Foster a culture of ownership, collaboration, and continuous development.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Authentic and inspiring leader with a clear vision, decisive approach, and commitment to build, empower and coach a high-performing team
• Relentless drive and commitment to deliver ambitious targets in a dynamic, high-growth environment
• Strong understanding of Fashion e-commerce fundamentals in the relevant markets
• An adept negotiator who is commercially ambitious and focused on creating win-win situations
• Highly strategic and analytical thinker
• Outstanding stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills
• 10+ years experience working in Fashion Retail, eCommerce, Consumer Goods, or similar in a commercial leadership capacity

OUR BENEFITS

Zalando provides a range of benefits, here’s an overview of what you can expect. Learn all about Zalando and our values here: https://jobs.zalando.com/en/our-culture

• Employee shares program
• 40% off fashion and beauty products sold and shipped by Zalando, 30% off Lounge by Zalando, discounts from external partners
• 2 paid volunteering days a year
• Hybrid working model with up to 60% remote per week, actual practice is up to each team to best support their collaboration
• Work from abroad for up to 30 working days a year
• 27 days of vacation a year to start
• Relocation assistance available
• Family services, including counseling and support
• Health and wellbeing options (including Wellhub "Gympass")
• Free access to mental health support and coaching

Recruiter

Verena Nitsche

verena.nitsche@zalando.de

Please note that all applications from this job page must be completed using the online form - we do not accept applications via e-mail. Once reviewed, our recruiters will contact applicants via an official Zalando email address (@zalando.de).

In some cases we also work with a selection of headhunters and agencies to fill specific roles. Please note that neither Zalando nor our recruiting partners will ask for any kind of payment to apply for a job or attend an interview.

If you have any questions about our recruitment process, please take a look at our FAQ page.

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