At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow our third-party marketplace channel for Castore, Belstaff & Grenson.
- Company: Join a fast-paced, high-growth brand with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus scheme, 25 days leave, and generous staff discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of marketplaces while working with global sporting partners.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in marketplace trading, especially with Amazon and Zalando.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
Castore Group is seeking an entrepreneurially driven Head of Marketplaces to build and lead our third-party marketplace channel across both Group brands, Castore, Belstaff & Grenson.
This is a newly created-role with group-wide accountability, sitting within the Trading function.
Responsible for turning marketplaces (Amazon, Zalando, ASOS Marketplace, Decathlon and equivalent platforms in key territories) into a scaled, profitable route to the Group's growth ambitions.
The role requires someone who is a “player manager” - who can operate as a strategic architect of the channel and a hands-on trading operator — equally comfortable presenting a three-year marketplace roadmap to the Executive team and personally interrogating a P&L line or a platform's content compliance report.
Given the distinct brand positioning of Castore (performance sportswear) and Belstaff (British heritage lifestyle), the successful candidate will need to tailor channel and platform strategy by brand while maintaining one commercial operating model across the Group.
- Roles & Responsibilities
- Early Wins – Ready Fire Aim
- Identify lowest-hanging fruit and get the quick wins on the board to activate the marketplaces channel ahead of the key Q4 trading season
- Strategy & Channel Development
- Define and own the Group's marketplace strategy — platform prioritisation, market sequencing, and brand-specific positioning for Castore and Belstaff respectively.
- Build the multi-year business case and roadmap for marketplace expansion, including new platform and territory launches, presented to the Chief Trading Officer and Executive Committee.
- Assess and recommend the right operating model per platform/market (direct, hybrid, or via reseller/agency partners) to balance control, margin and speed to market.
- Commercial Performance & Trading
- Own the P&L for the marketplace channel across both brands — revenue, gross margin, marketing spend and net contribution — reporting into the Group's trading cadence.
- Set and deliver quarterly and annual sales targets by platform and market, with full accountability for forecasting accuracy and in-season trading decisions.
- Lead day-to-day trading: pricing strategy, promotional planning, inventory allocation and stock health across all live marketplace accounts.
- Negotiate commercial terms with platform partners, including fee structures, co-op marketing investment and preferred-seller/partner status.
- Cross-Functional Delivery
- Partner with Merchandising and Buying to ensure the right product, sizing and availability is allocated to marketplace channels without conflicting with wholesale and DTC strategy.
- Work with Brand and Creative teams to ensure content, imagery and tone of voice on every platform meet brand standards for both Castore and Belstaff.
- Collaborate with Supply Chain and Operations to ensure fulfilment, returns and platform SLAs (e. g. Amazon Seller/Vendor performance metrics) are consistently met.
- Work with Finance on reconciliation, chargebacks, and accurate revenue/margin reporting by platform.
- Align with Digital/E-commerce leadership so marketplace activity complements, rather than cannibalises, owned D2C channels.
- Platform & Operational Management
- Own the end-to-end relationship with each marketplace partner — from onboarding and account health through to escalation management.
- Ensure full compliance with each platform's content, listing and operational requirements (product data, imagery, A+ content, keyword and SEO optimisation).
- Monitor competitor and category presence on each platform, feeding insight back into pricing, assortment and marketing strategy.
- Put in place the reporting infrastructure and KPI dashboards needed to track channel performance in real time.
- Team & Governance
- Build and lead a marketplace trading team as the channel scales, setting clear objectives and a strong performance culture.
- Represent the marketplace channel at Group trading reviews, providing clear, data-led commentary on performance, risks and opportunities.
Skills & Experience
- Proven track record leading marketplace trading at scale for a fashion, sportswear or lifestyle brand — Amazon and Zalando experience essential; other platforms (ASOS Marketplace, Decathlon, etc.) advantageous.
- Strong commercial and P&L ownership experience, with the ability to move fluently between strategic planning and hands-on in-season trading.
- Experience operating cross-functionally with Merchandising, Brand, Supply Chain and Finance in a matrixed organisation.
- Comfortable managing multiple distinct brand identities within a single operating model.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Data-literate, with fluency in marketplace analytics, retail/BI tooling and platform-specific seller dashboards.
What We Offer
•Competitive salary
•Discretionary bonus scheme
•25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
•Modern city centre offices in Manchester and London
•An opportunity to work with global sporting partners
•A chance to build a career with a fast paced, high growth brand
•Employee assistance programme
•Generous staff discount
Group Head of Marketplaces in London employer: Castore
At Castore, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer by fostering a dynamic work culture that prioritises customer satisfaction and employee development. Located in Brierley Hill, our Store Manager role offers competitive salaries, comprehensive training, and ample opportunities for career advancement within a rapidly growing brand. Join us to be part of a passionate team dedicated to delivering exceptional retail experiences while enjoying the benefits of a supportive and innovative workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Head of Marketplaces in London
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Castore and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Castore are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Castore on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at Castore. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Group Head of Marketplaces in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Castore. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Castore:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Castore’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Castore
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Castore will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Castore, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
