Pieces of Me - Inside Zalando

What defines a queer space? Laura Veneklaas, Global Marketing Campaigns Manager, and Marcos Cabrera Garcia, Creative Director, share some thoughts from the Zalando global Pride campaign, ‘The spaces that made us: a love letter to queer spaces’.In this episode, Laura and Marcos join our host Janine to talk queer culture, community-led storytelling and the power of creating safe spaces.Their Pieces of Me include a morning reflection notebook, a cowboy hat from an Australian adventure and a very special four-legged office companion named Ziggy.To find out more about jobs at Zalando, head over to jobs.zalando.de.

In this episode, Samuel Tallant, Talent Acquisition Partner at Zalando, joins our host Janine to talk about crafting a CV that tells your true story. They discuss CV structuring, the power of authenticity in interviews and how to create impactful spaces for LGBTQI+ leaders. Samuel also shares his three Pieces of Me. These include stacked family rings featuring a beloved dog's nose imprint,  a trusted blue notebook tracking his career from day one and a festive team photo booth picture.  To find out more about jobs at Zalando, head over to jobs.zalando.de.

What makes a brand sound like itself? Sim LeCompte, Creative Director and Copywriter at Zalando, has some thoughts. In this episode, Sim joins our host Janine to talk bold ideas, inclusive language and the little twist that makes copy stick. Her three Pieces of Me include a well-loved leather notebook she's been journaling in every day since 2020, a campaign that made history at Cannes Lions and the podcast that helped her land the job.To find out more about jobs like Sim's go to jobs.zalando.de

Juan Garcia, strategy expert in go-to-market initiatives in Sports at Zalando, joins Janine to explain how sports is at the cutting edge of shaping customer experience online. And to unveil his team’s strategic partnership with the iconic German Football Federation and the new jersey customisation options at ZalandoJuan also dives into how innovative thinking, with the customers at the heart of everything, has allowed the team to tap into new markets. The conversation covers the mindset behind delivering Zalando’s large-scale projects, with Juan highlighting the importance of breaking down big ambitions into manageable steps.His Pieces of Me include a collection of medals and perhaps most importantly… a broken padlock?To find out more about careers like Juan’s go to jobs.zalando.de

Giannina Rengifo, Senior Buyer in Zalando’s Sports category, joins Janine Matos to explore how passion, data, and new AI technology are coming together in one of fashion’s fastest-growing areas.Giannina shares how the sports category has evolved - from huge growth and new customer acquisition to high profile events like the Berlin Marathon and major partnerships in football.She explains what it takes to manage Zalando’s diverse portfolio of sports, and how deep product knowledge is built through data, brand collaboration, and constant learning.The conversation also highlights how the company is continuously evolving the online sports shopping experience with better filtering and the development off remarkable AI tools.Giannina’s “Pieces of Me” reflect her journey and mindset along with one key career belief: play to win, dare to fail.To find out more about career’s like Giannina's, visit jobs.zalando.de

Virginie Duigou, Head of Buying for Beauty at Zalando, joins Janine Matos to explore the relatively new and dynamic world of beauty e-commerce.How do you sell beauty products online, when customers traditionally need to touch, smell and discover new products in person?Virginie explains how Zalando sells beauty online with emotional storytelling and innovations like virtual try-ons, as well as the impact of emerging trends, especially Korean beauty products.Janine and Virginie also discuss her leadership journey, the importance of strong team relationships, and how yoga is a a super power to boost personal and career development.To find out more about careers like Virginie's, visit [email protected]

Max Thompson, Head of Executive Recruiting at Zalando, joins Janine to lift the lid on how global organisations find and hire new leaders.Max opens up about how Zalando approaches executive hiring; from shaping the roles, understanding the values and mindset required, and then searching internally and externally for exactly the right candidate.The conversation highlights the importance of cultural fit, and diversity, and inclusion to help ensure leadership reflects a broad range of perspectives and Max also explains the vital role of internal mobility, why identifying and developing talent from within is key.Max’s “Pieces of Me” are deeply personal and he opens up about difficult times and moving past them. He reflects on the importance of authenticity, self-awareness, and choosing purpose over ego when navigating our careers.To find out more about careers like Max's visit jobs.zalando.de

Paul O’Neill, Head of Creator Programs at Zalando, joins Janine Matos to explore how influencer collaborations, storytelling, and data come together to shape modern fashion marketing.Paul explains how Zalando works with hundreds of creators across global campaigns, creating content in different styles and voices to inspire customers fashion and beauty choices.The conversation also looks at how Zalando is building a stronger creator community through special events that creators develop new skills.Paul touches on the importance of balancing bold ideas with pragmatic solutions and his“Pieces of Me” represent a focus creativity, career choices and a thirst for adventure.To find out more about careers like Paul’s visit jobs.zalando.de

Kayla Parker, Creator Manager at Zalando, joins Janine Matos to explore the innovative and fast-evolving world of creator live-streams in fashion and lifestyle e-commerce.Kayla shares how live streaming is a marketing space full of opportunity, and she unpacks successful formats, important metrics and data, and new ways to engage audiences. From finding the right creators with strong storytelling skills, to navigating the technical realities of live production, she explains why preparation, on-the-spot decision making, and team collaboration are key to success.While live-streaming is all about experimentation, teamwork, and the excitement of building something new, Kayla’s three Pieces of Me reflect the power of cultural connection; from literature, to fashion to French Toast Casserole.For more information on jobs like Kayla’s go to jobs.zalando.de

Katja Schmökel, Team Lead in Partner Communication at Zalando, joins Janine Matos to explore what it takes to help Zalando’s partners thrive in a fast-moving but highly regulated industry.Katja explains how partner communication sits at the heart of the fashion and lifestyle ecosystem; ensuring brands and retailers can navigate the Zalando platform and understand the often complex regulations involved.The conversation also explains that while AI is beginning to reshape communication strategies, Katja’s people-first outlook is what give purpose to her career.Katja’s “Pieces of Me” reflect that outlook. They include keepsakes from the Christmas party and a bunch of flowers that have an important and enduring message about how team culture really works.To find out more about careers like Katja’s go to jobs.zalando.de

Lilli Ferreira, Global Social Media Manager at Zalando, joins Janine Matos to unpack what it takes for brands to build community on social media.Lilli explains Zalando’s social team social strategy and execution, how they react in real time to big pop culture moments, and stays “chronically online” to keep pace with fast-moving trends. The conversation explores why different platforms demand different approaches, and how total trust within the team is essential to enable instant decision-making.Lilli’s “Pieces of Me” represent the music dreams of her childhood, her delight in being a “Swiftie”, and staying connected to culture.Find out more about careers like Lilli’s at jobs.zalando.de

Carlos Cardenas, Principal Analyst at Zalando Data Foundation, joins Janine Matos to explore how data becomes truly valuable when teams know how to use it.Carlos explains the role of the Zalando Data Foundation and how his team supports colleagues across the business to use date effectively. The conversation covers the importance of the right tools, and the difference between “big data” and “great data”,  and improving data literacy through the Zalando Data Hub.Beyond data best practice, Carlos shares the experiences that have helped form his approach to work. Tattoos, dogs and marathon training all play a part in shaping Carlos’ self-discipline and personal growth.Find out more about careers in fashion and lifestyle e-commerce at jobs.zalando.de

In this special episode, Janine Matos looks back on the interviews and conversations of Pieces of Me in 2025, to bring you the standout advice and insights shared by guests. From reflections on Zalando’s OFMs (Our Founding Mindsets) to career guidance from experts in team culture, tech innovation, social impact and economics, this episode brings together voices from across the business, including Christoph Gädeke, Pia Ahlgren, Dunja-Maria Bischof, Lara Gesche and Gregory Crawford. This is a chance to hear what we can all do to grow, find purpose and build happiness at work.If you’re interested in a career in fashion and lifestyle e-commerce, visit jobs.zalando.de

In this episode of Pieces of Me, Janine Matos sits down with Alice Marshall, Director of Pre-Owned at Zalando, to explore the boom in pre-owned fashion.Alice talks us through the creative and operational engine behind Zalando’s recommerce operation. She explains how customers can trade in their as-new or gently worn items, and what it takes to build a trusted, high-quality secondhand experience at scale. The conversation covers how Zalando is grabbing the growing opportunity in kids’ pre-owned clothes and how her team is redefining what circular fashion can look like.Alice’s three “Pieces of Me” represent her personal connection to fashion, the important milestones in her life, and the collaborative, creative process that has shaped her career. If you’re interested in a career in fashion and lifestyle e-commerce, visit jobs.zalando.de

In this episode of Pieces of Me, Janine Matos is joined by Lara Gesche, Principal of Social Impact at Zalando, for a conversation about giving back to society, contributing to community, and the role businesses can play beyond commercial success.Lara breaks down our three core pillars: volunteering, humanitarian aid, and Zalando’s key strategic Social Impact initiatives: the Circularity Masterclasses and the Design Academy - two educational programmes that enable upcoming designers to support the transition of our industry towards a more sustainable and circular one. She explains the deep thinking behind the pillars and shares how we can get involved in all kinds of sectors.Lara unpacks the deep thinking behind these pillars and shares how Zalando employees have the opportunity to give back in all kinds of sectors. Lara also explains her excitement about investing in the fashion and lifestyle designers of the future and creating a more responsible fashion industry.Lara’s “Pieces of Me” highlight the importance of purpose-driven work, collaboration, and using fashion as a vehicle for change.To learn more about careers at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com

Janine sits down with Xiaoxia Qiu, VP of Zalando’s Tech Hub in Shenzhen China, to discuss an exciting new avenue for fashion and lifestyle sales.The conversation covers Xiaoxia ’s experience in building the company’s first tech centre in China, the challenges of bridging cultural attitudes toward work between China and Europe, and his team’s innovative approach to improving their English communication skills.Xiaoxia explains the thinking behind bringing the Chinese approach to social media commerce to Zalando’s European markets; a process that blends his team’s experience of engineering, tech, data modelling with local expertise of the products and culture.His three pieces of me include a selfie, family, and a drum with a remarkable history as well as significance in todays workplace. To learn more about careers at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com.

Lucy Stubley, Principal D&I Talent & Leadership at Zalando, and Vanessa Sanyauke join Janine Matos to explore empowerment, diversity, and inclusion in the modern workplace; with a special focus on women in tech.Vanessa shares her inspiring journey as the founder of Girls Talk and the Black Girls Tech Summit, two initiatives dedicated to encouraging Black women to pursue careers in technology and leadership. Lucy reflects on her role at Zalando and the company’s ongoing commitment to increasing representation and fostering inclusivity.The conversation highlights the importance of mentorship, community, and taking bold steps toward career growth.Lucy and Vanessa’s “Pieces of Me” each reflect personal stories that reveal how heritage and resilience have shaped their professional journeys, alongside the importance of community and lifting up others.To learn more about careers at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com.

Pia Ahlgren and Dunja-Maria Bischof, Site Operations Leads at Zalando, join the podcast to deep-dive into their roles supporting tech operations in Zalando’s international sites.As the pair explain to Janine, Zalando’s Hubs are vital to the tech innovation that drives success in fashion and lifestyle e-commerce. The Hubs show that Zalando is a serious employer of tech talent; from using data science and AI to help solve the biggest challenges in the fashion industry, to creating the tech that lies behind delivering customer orders.Pia Ahlgren and Dunja-Maria also each bring three items to the studio that represent personal milestones and career lessons, from an octopus, to archery’s focus and balance and an important symbol of “inclusivity by design”To learn more about careers at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com

Lea Siering, Managing Director of Zalando Payments, joins Janine to lift the lid perhaps the most important part of the fashion and lifestyle e-commerce sector… payments!Lea explains the complex but crucial role of payment systems in e-commerce and why creating a seamless checkout experience is essential for customer trust. The conversation covers how to juggle compliance, legislation, reporting and customer satisfaction so that everyone ends up happy.Lea shares her career journey, and reflects on Zalando’s supportive corporate culture, where collaboration and innovation drive progress.Her three “Pieces of Me” highlight personal passions and offer lessons in resilience, creativity, and leadership.To learn more about careers at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com.

Jennifer Miu, Labelling and Packaging Manager for Private Labels at Zalando, joins Janine Matos to unpack a career in the fashion and lifestyle sector that is both hugely creative and completely essential, but rarely discussed.Jennifer first explains the important role that private labels - the company’s in-house brands - play. She then goes one to explain some of the remarkable innovations happening in packaging, including the importance of adaptive fashion and creating solutions and modifications that meet diverse customer needs. Jennifers Pieces of Me reflect the value she places in her cultural heritage as well as the vibrant culture at Berlin’s Zalando offices.To learn more about careers at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com

In this episode of the Pieces of Me podcast, host Janine Matos speaks with Aline Guimarães, Senior Business Developer, about the transformation of market research and the ever-expanding role of customer insights in shaping the fashion sector.Aline explains how her team has evolved, broadening its focus to include data analysts and working to understand the entire customer journey.She shares how new and innovative tools and methods help the team uncover customer behaviour, brand perception, and loyalty. All insights that directly influence the team’s decision-making.Aline’s three ‘pieces of me’ cover everything from overcoming personal challenges, the future of market research, the importance of using questions to connect data to human stories.To find out more about careers like Aline’s visit jobs.zalando.com

In this episode of the Pieces of Me podcast, we delve into a side of the fashion and lifestyle industry that hasn’t been covered on the podcast before; unpacking the unique challenges when the customer is the parent, but the consumer is their child.Veronika Moles is Head of Kids at Zalando and she joins Janine to discuss her role leading Zalando’s kids’ assortment.The conversation explores how customer needs evolve across childhood and teenage years, the role fashion plays in shaping identity, and the strategies behind Zalando’s growing kids’ portfolio; creating an e-commerce universe for parent and child to explore together.Veronika’s “Pieces of Me” reflect the value of adaptability, customer understanding, and her insights in career development.To learn more about careers at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com.

Salome Santos and Sofia Proshina join Janine Matos to explore the power of self-belief, community, and the fight against imposter syndrome.This special episode of the Pieces of Me podcast delves into the the I Am Remarkable initiative. I Am Remarkable is a global movement designed to empower individuals, particularly women, by recognising and celebrating their achievements.Salome and Sofia unpack how these workshops - which are available to everyone, at Zalando and beyond - can help participants overcome imposter syndrome and build confidence by finding ways to talk about the many things that make us remarkable. The conversation shows the value of vulnerability and why celebrating even small wins can be revolutionary.Salome and Sofia’s Pieces of Me reflect their personal and professional growth and celebrate the communities and friendships they have built in their careers.To learn more about careers at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com.

Elman Hüseynov, Senior Software Engineer in Brand Marketing at Zalando, joins Janine Matos to explore how creativity and code combine in the world of brand marketing.In this episode of Pieces of Me, Elman shares how his team are helping to revolutionise Zalando’s marketing campaigns through innovative tech solutions; building the tools to drive the marketing of the futureFrom overcoming complex tech challenges to understanding how to scale creative campaigns, Elman unpacks the role of software engineers have to play in shaping fashion and lifestyle e-commerce.The conversation also covers the power of mindset, the importance of celebrating wins, big and small, and how Elman’s personal experiences have shaped his growth. His three “Pieces of Me” reflect the value of resilience, optimism, and taking pride in progress.To learn more about engineering careers at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com.

In this episode, Janine sits down with Ashley Drew, Senior Manager Performance Practice at Zalando to talk about career and personal development in the modern workplace. Janine and Ashley discuss the benefits of a career path that embraces diverse roles and how Zalando facilitates exactly that.Ashley explains talent and performance management, covering what talent means and the best ways to foster it, how to evaluate personal performance, and the all-important area of feedback. She unpacks which kinds of feedback work, which don’t, and how colleagues can continue to evolve within an organisation.Ashley’s three Pieces Of Me are all symbols of her career lessons, from building self awareness, designing with empathy, to the importance of making a fool of yourself.To learn more about careers at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com.

Daniel Motino, Senior Manager of Diversity and Inclusion at Zalando, joins Janine Matos for a powerful conversation about identity, inclusion, and personal growth.In this moving episode of Pieces of Me, Daniel shares his journey in Diversity & Inclusion, highlighting how both visible and invisible parts of individual identity shape our experiences at work. From building support systems to leading programs that elevate women in leadership, Daniel discusses how he’s helping Zalando to create spaces where everyone can be their authentic selves.Daniel’s three “pieces” each tell deeply personal stories, including his struggles with mental health, the life-changing importance of mentorship, and the power of dreaming big. They reflect the importance of empathy, environment, and embracing change as a constant in life.To learn more about careers at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com.

Gare Anighoro, Design Ops Manager at Zalando, joins Janine Matos to explore how community-building fuels creativity, connection, and career growth.In this episode, Gare shares how rituals such as “the Design Bonfire” and “Scrappy Demos” create opportunities for inspiration and collaboration. By inviting designers to share unfinished work and offer feedback, organisations can break down internal silos. The conversation unpacks these community initiatives, the importance of collaborative culture in design, and the power of daring yourself to evolve.Meanwhile Gare’s “Pieces of Me” reflect the importance of family and focussing on the here and now.To learn more about the design community and careers at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com.

Darija Bräuniger, Principal, Public Affairs DACH at Zalando, joins Janine to explains the role of a public affairs specialist in business and its impact in shaping business strategy.Although many of us misunderstand what’s meant by public affairs, Darija unpacks how her team focuses on communicating a company’s interests to politicians and how this differs from stakeholder communications. She shares how the public affairs team works to align Zalando’s priorities with evolving policy, especially around sustainability and digital regulation.The conversation also explores how a career in public affairs can develop from many different educational paths, and why understanding political dynamics is essential to success in the role.Darija’s three “Pieces of Me” represent Berlin's history, her own personal heritage, as well as the vital importance of networking in careers.To learn more about careers at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com

Sara Spannar, VP of Global Marketing at Zalando, joins Janine Matos to explore the power of purpose, simplicity and empowerment in marketing fashion and lifestyle brands.Janine and Sara dive into a wide ranging conversation covering Sara’s personal perspective on her career to the marketing philosophies and strategies drive her work.They discuss the evolving landscape of fashion and lifestyle e-commerce, the importance of confidence in personal style, and the focus on customer engagement. Sara shares insights from her career journey, including her time in the music industry and the transition to fashion, emphasising the significance of purpose and what she calls “the worlds smallest, biggest question”.Her Pieces of Me include a book, some powerful words of advice… and a chicken foot. To learn more about careers at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com.

Morgane Telling, Acting Team Lead Localisation Manager at Zalando, joins Janine to explain language and localisation in international business, and the importance of human connection in a tech-driven environment.Morgane explains her role and why localisation is key to Zalando’s success across diverse markets. The conversation covers everything from understanding customer to how AI is supporting, but not replacing, the human touch in localisation.Morgan also opens up about her personal journey, including how her grandmother inspired her passion for translation, and the role that work-life balance and internal networking have played in her career growth.Her three “Pieces of Me” reflect her enthusiasm for education, family, and staying true to your path.To learn more about careers like Morgane's at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com.

Rebekka Beels, Head of Engineering at Zalando, joins Janine Matos for a wide-ranging conversation covering leadership, vulnerability, and what’s required to build inclusive, high-performing teams in tech.Rebekka shares her perspective on what it takes to lead engineering at scale; aligning technical strategy with company goals while fostering a culture of personal ownership and team support. The conversation explores the tech platforms that Zalando uses to deliver customer needs, what leadership looks like in 2025,  and why showing vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness.Rebekka’s three “Pieces of Me” highlight the evolving tech landscape, especially for women in engineering, the influence of her family and the power of understanding one’s own unique strengths.To learn more about careers like Rebekka’s at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com

Astrid Arndt, Chief People Officer at Zalando, joins Janine Matos to discuss leadership, workplace culture, and personal growth.Astrid explains her role in helping to shape Zalando’s culture, focusing on the importance of talent attraction, colleague retention, and understanding customer needs. The conversation also covers insights into long-term strategy, shifts in customer behaviour, and even Ted Lasso.Astrid’s three “Pieces of Me” reflect some key lessons in leadership and self-belief. They symbolise the significance of collective achievements, the importance of asking for help and Astrid’s love of the ocean.To learn more about careers at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com. 

Gregory Crawford, Chief Economist at Zalando, joins Janine to explain the importance of economists within large, modern businesses and how experimentation and data are the key to business success.Gregory starts by unpacking how his expertise and experience as an economist benefits Zalando, where he provides data-driven guidance to refine customer experience. Gregory also explains the objective of his economics team; democratising data-learning so that everyone within the company will be able to harness the economics team as an “experimentation engine”.The conversation also covers how personal stories shape careers, along with the idea that everyone has a unique spark that we personally need to discover and understand.His three “Pieces of Me” all contain important lessons for today’s workplaces . They include a throwback to delivering newspapers in the snow in Wisconsin and a Rubik's cube.To learn more about careers like Gregory's at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com.

Christoph Gädeke, Senior Manager of Culture and New Work at Zalando, joins Janine Matos to explore the future of work and evolving workplace culture.First up, Christoph shares insights into the complexities and benefits of hybrid work models, emphasising the importance of flexibility in today’s workplace. He explains the impact of the pandemic in reshaping work culture, highlighting the need for organisations to continually adapt to help foster colleague engagement.Janine and Christoph then dive into the significance of cultural cohesion in a hybrid environment, the obstacles to that cohesion, and why companies have to embrace a learning mindset. The episode also delves into the role of experimentation in shaping new work practices and how organisations can support their teams in navigating change.Christoph’s three “Pieces of Me” include a symbol of childhood rebellion, a piece to represent the world of work in 2025, and an old-school throwback in an era of AI.To learn more about careers at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com.

In this episode, Janine sits down with Elizabeth Carttar, Head of Sustainability at Zalando, to discuss the company’s ambitious sustainability goals and how we all need to help build a more responsible fashion industry.With Zalando pushing for net zero emissions by 2050, Elizabeth explains the crucial role of circularity in extending the life cycle of fashion products.The episode covers fashion’s value-shift towards sustainability, how we need to engage customers in sustainability discussions, the role of innovative materials in responsible fashion, and why collective action is essential to achieving our long-term environmental goals. Elizabeth’s three “Pieces of Me” all come with stories that reflect her passion for sustainability, including a pair of her grandmother's earrings, a set of building blocks and a unique, prototype piece of fashion.To learn more about Zalando’s sustainability efforts and career opportunities, visit jobs.zalando.com.

In this episode Janine Matos sits down with Jennifer von Walderdorff, Senior Finance Manager at Zalando, to discuss the impact of financial analysis and modelling for Zalando, their partners and customers. The episode not only gives us a top-down view of the e-commerce industry and how Zalando’s business partnerships work, but also covers Jennifer’s passion for sustainable fashion and mindful shopping.Jennifer’s ambition to build a community of conscious consumers led to the publication of her book, ‘Look @ the Labels’, as well as the creation of her own app, SIBI. SIBI is designed to help shoppers make mindful purchasing decisions and is one of Jennifers three Pieces of Me.She also brings along a flamboyant pink pen and a seemingly unremarkable item from the office that highlights the challenges facing women returning to work after maternity leave.To find out more about careers like Jennifer’s visit jobs.zalando.com

In this episode, Janine talks to Hacinta Naidoo, Head of D&I, Strategy and Governance at Zalando. They delve into the critical issue of diversity in organisations and how representation is essential when it comes to creating a sense of belonging and aspiration for colleagues.Hacinta explains what a decentralised D&I strategy means at Zalando and how that leads to greater collaboration and meaningful cultural change.Hacinta’s “Pieces of Me” include a tiny, simple pin, her grandmother’s tea set and a memento from an inspirational experience at Copenhagen Fashion Week.To find out more about jobs like Hacinta's head to jobs.zalando.com

Nina Trofimova, Team Lead Global Corporate Communications at Zalando, joins Janine to explain her role and give a glimpse into how the Corporate Affairs team communicates the company’s story to the world.Nina talks us through her career to date, moving across Europe and transforming her personal interest in fashion into her professional choices.She explains how Corporate Affairs tells Zalando’s story to different audiences from employees to partners, journalists and policy makers, connecting the company’s priorities to their interests.Nina’s three Pieces of Me reflect the role the image of her grandmother played in sparking a lifelong curiosity about the world, the vital role of team support in our careers, and the importance of not losing sight of the bigger picture in day-to-day work.To find out more about jobs like Nina's head to jobs.zalando.com

Antonis Vasilopoulos, Head of Product Assortment and Steering at Partner Tech, joins Janine to discuss how he and his team use data to shape the way we shop online.He explains the complex processes that helps manage the Zalando assortment, estimate future demand, and even sales trends as well as the tools and algorithms used to help deliver maximum impact for brands.Antonis’ three “Pieces of Me” start a conversation that covers everything from changing market conditions in the e-commerce landscape, to a 30 year old guitar pick, to the impact of hiring on workplace culture.To find out more about jobs at Zalando head to jobs.zalando.com

Morten Grubak, VP of Creative Direction, joins Janine in the studio to discuss creativity in business, his career and Zalando’s brand refresh.Janine and Morten cover everything, from the importance of a confident brand identity, the role of technology in fashion, to Morten’s passion for innovative digital solutions. They also delve into the thinking and process behind changing the face of the organisation.His three Pieces of Me include a collaboration between Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol, a remarkable app helping to preserve cultural heritage in Ukraine and the new Zalando logo.To find out more about careers at Zalando like Morten’s, visit jobs.zalando.com.

Heike Lari, Director of Partner Consultancy at ZMS, joins Janine in the studio to explore the dynamic world of Zalando Marketing Services (ZMS), from storytelling in marketing to the future of customer engagement.Heike explains the objective  of ZMS, helping brands connect with their audience, and delves into how ZMS continually adapts to the changing landscape of e-commerce, from live streaming fashion influencers to personalised events that foster meaningful customer connections.Janine and Heike cover the diverse aims that brands have in partnering with ZMS as well as the importance of personalisation in reaching the right audience. They explore how unique shopping experiences can elevate brand engagement and discuss the strategies ZMS uses to stay ahead in a competitive market.Heike’s “Pieces of Me” include a notepad containing a personal memento and a trophy with an important backstory.To find out more about careers like Heike’s at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com.

Dorothee Schönfeld, Director of Outlets and Overstocks at Zalando, joins Janine in the studio to share her career journey and her role in shaping Zalando’s outlet store experience.First up, Dorothee takes us through the philosophy behind Zalando’s outlets; from building stores that redefine the outlet shopping experience, embracing  the unique characteristics of each store location and creating a customer experience that resonates with diverse shoppers. She also runs through the complexities of opening new stores, explaining the data-driven approach used to strategically select store locations and the connection between the physical stores and Zalando’s online fashion store.Dorothee’s three “Pieces of Me” include a miniature model of Cologne Cathedral, a beloved book that she recommends to everyone, and a reminder of the key leadership lessons of her career thus far.To find out more about careers like Dorothee’s at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com

Peter Török, Employer Branding Manager at Zalando, joins Janine to celebrate the second anniversary of Pieces of Me with a deep dive into Zalando’s employer branding and recruitment.First up, Peter talks us through his own recent journey to Zalando, from Budapest to Berlin, explaining the Zalando recruitment process for anyone considering following in his footsteps. He covers the first interviews, navigating the welcome days and the help available from the relocation support team.The conversation then delves into the vital role employer branding plays in attracting top talent and shaping the company’s reputation. Peter’s three “Pieces of Me” include an iconic blue bag that we all know and love, a personalised, unauthorised goodbye gift from his last job and a reminder of his crash course at Zalando’s outlet storesTo find out more about careers like Peter's at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com.

Jan Muellender is a Senior Vendor Manager at Zalando and he joins Janine in the studio to explain exactly what that entails and how it’s his responsibility to build strong strategic partnerships that help the organisation thrive.Jan breaks down why the role of Senior Vendor Manager is essential within organisations, like Zalando, that have a major focus on innovative use of tech. His focus includes managing relationships with tech providers and providing feed back to those companies to help them develop and improve their services.Jan’s three “Pieces of Me” include a moment from a fishing trip with his son an a meaningful keepsake from a spur-of-the-moment decision to take a job in China; a move that taught him both resilience and the capacity to improvise.To find out more about careers like Jan's at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com.

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