Pieces of Me - Inside Zalando

Gloria Rupprecht, Director of Product Design for Propositions at Zalando, sits down with Janine to discuss her role in creating memorable and distinct e-commerce experiences for customers. 

Gloria explains the evolution of e-commerce in 2024; how different propositions - from beauty, to sports to technology - each require a distinct and tailored design to enhance the shopping experience. Each category has different challenges and requires different solutions. She also touches on the close-knit design community at Zalando and the culture of sharing knowledge.

Gloria’s three Pieces of Me: include jewellery from her grandmother and a pair of scissors that symbolise a pivotal moment in her career. And the conversation covers everything from the importance of following your passion and finding joy in your work to tips on valuable resources for your career.

To find out more about careers like Gloria's at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com

Romy Richter, Senior Partnership Excellence Manager at zStudios, joins Janine to share her career journey and explain the thinking, inspiration and processes behind Zalando photo shoots.

Romy covers styling the models, shooting the articles, and the challenges faced during shoots, including the sheer volume of content that her team needs to create. Romy also explains how the use of AI is transforming the process behind fashion and lifestyle images.

The conversation moves on to cover how keeping an open mind when approaching your career can mean opportunities for growth and development, especially at Zalando, and Romy’s three “Pieces of Me” cover her love for Hawaii, volleyball and most of all family.

To find out more about careers like Romy’s at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com.

Lutz Enders, Senior Tech Consultant in the Workplace Innovation and Product Team at Zalando, joins Janine in the studio to discuss the transformative role of AI tools for modern careers.

First up, Lutz explains that carefully tailoring the right AI solutions for different job functions is key to significantly boost productivity within organisations.

His insights are crucial for anyone looking to understand the evolving work landscape and AI innovation.

Lutz and Janine delve into his unique career journey, from studying art history and the history of the Middle Ages and then moving to the fast-paced startup culture at Zalando.

Lutz’s “Pieces of Me” reflect on a diverse career including, AI, Medieval Art and car mechanics to the all-important family pizza. 

To find out more about careers like Lutz's at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com

Oliver Ruebenkamp, Senior Lead, Event Management, at Zalando, joins Janine in the studio to discuss his pivotal role in planning and creating a huge range of events at Zalando.

First up, Oliver explains the responsibilities of his team, from organising internal workshops and all-hands meetings to coordinating external influencer marketing events. This peek behind the scenes of large-scale gatherings shows the value of both meticulous planning and being prepared to forget the plan and embrace improvisation.

Oliver and Janine then dive into the Summer of Sports events, Zalando engagement projects aimed at bringing colleagues together. Oliver shares the lessons he’s learned orchestrating these events, from always having a back-up location reserved to why the leadership team should always work as bar-staff.

Oliver’s three “Pieces of Me” include his trusty tennis racket, a nod to his lead, Alex Goertzen, who has been a significant influence in his career, but controversially, not his dogs.

To find out more about careers like Oliver's at Zalando visit jobs.zalando.com.

Mike Mulligan, Director of Customer Identity & Data at Zalando, joins Janine in the studio to explain what’s meant by customer identity, as well as the importance of building customer trust.

First up, Mike unpacks Zalando's approach to customer data and explains why data is the key to building deep customer relationships in e-commerce. Like any relationship, it needs to be personal and built on trust.

Mike and Janine also discuss how Zalando has adapted to new working environments and Mike shares his thoughts on productivity, innovation and collaboration in the workplace.

Mike’s three “Pieces of Me” show his his belief in the power of teams, the link between his own career and his ancestor’s work as Stone Masons, and the importance of daring to fail.

To find out more about careers like Mike's at Zalando visit jobs.zalando.com

Freddy Legatzki, Senior Buyer Sneakers at Zalando, joins Janine in the studio to discuss his career as well as Zalando's Summer of Sports.

First up, Freddy explains what a senior buyer role entails, from analysing trade numbers and understanding trend insights to choosing products for Zalando. “Sneaker heads” need to listen closely for updates on upcoming trends in sneaker styles and brands.

Freddy and Janine talk about his passion for the new sport of Hyrox, a fitness endurance race that combines running and strength exercises. Freddy explains the buzz that he gets from Hyrox, from upcoming marathons, and most of all from seeing people wearing the sneakers that he’s designed for Zalando.

Freddy’s three “Pieces of Me” include his love for running, the book 'How Bad Do You Want It?' by Matt Fitzgerald, which explores the psychology of mind over muscle in sports, and his latest sneaker design for Zalando.

To find out more about careers like Freddy’s at Zalando visit jobs.zalando.com

Anna Wilk, Retail Manager for Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Slovenia at Zalando, joins Janine to in the studio to explain the importance of a retail manager in the industry, juggling content, the commercial calendar, and local sales strategies and combining an understanding of Zalando’s international strategy with local expertise.

Anna explains the collaborative nature of her role, shining a light on on the teams and experts within the sector that work closely with a retail manager.

Anna’s three Pieces of Me emphasis her commitment to wellbeing, her love of community and a passion for experiencing diverse cultures. She also touches on Cyber Week, and why it’s an event that brings out the best in Zalando colleagues.

To find out more about careers at Zalando visit jobs.zalando.com

Janine sits down with Jan Bartels, SVP of B2B at Zalando, to hear the story of ZEOS, a concept that revolutionises logistics for the fashion and lifestyle retail industry.

ZEOS is Zalando's new B2B brand that offers a one-stock-pool solution for brand partners, and the entrepreneurial journey of the last few months has been unique. Because the story of how ZEOS was initially conceived, then built and scaled, mixes the ingenuity of a start-up  with the expectations of a major retail brand.

And Jan and his team have to maintain that entrepreneurial mindset, embracing rapid change and learning, as the ZEOS brand grows.

Jan's Pieces of Me  include a LEGO figure, a tractor and an award, all of which help explain his personal and career philosophy.

To find out more about careers at Zalando visit https://zln.do/3tdbumj

Meg Greenhouse, Senior Vice President at Zalando Technology Foundation (ZTF), joins Janine in the studio to discuss the role of ZTF in providing all the necessary tools and support employees in the modern workplace need, giving us a peak behind the scenes of how an organisation like Zalando functions.

Meg leads a team whose role is creating a seamless and enjoyable workplace, from physical infrastructure to digital collaboration tools, providing a Zalando experience that is as effortless for colleagues as it is for customers 

Meg explains the value she’s found in experiencing different cultures and seeking out new experiences in both personal and professional life, how travel has shaped her perspective and how leaderships means continually adapting and evolving.

Meg’s three “Pieces of Me” include her mothers gold bracelet and a 3D-printed figurine.

To find out more about careers at Zalando visit jobs.zalando.com

Jette Stempel, Head of Central Retail and Sales Campaigns at Zalando, visits the studio to talk with Janine about her career and responsibilities, the changing shape of the industry and her three “Pieces of Me”.

Jette’s experience offers all kinds of insights for anyone considering a career in fashion, tech and online sales. She discusses the changing face of e-commerce, the importance understanding the data and driving growth through sales campaigns, but her lessons in life and leadership apply in any industry. 

Her advice on leadership focusses on encouraging systematic improvements that can lead to long-term benefits and save time in the future, how fast execution that can be more valuable than perfection, and finding time to enjoy work and have fun.

Jette’s three “Pieces of Me” include a tunnel, and a red Powerpoint slide and an hourglass. You’ll never look at an hourglass in the same way again.

To find out more about careers at Zalando visit https://zln.do/3tdbumj