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 global sporting partners.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus scheme, 25 days leave, and generous staff discount.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career advancement in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of marketplaces while making a real impact on brand growth.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in marketplace trading, especially with Amazon and Zalando.
The predicted salary is between 81000 - 99000 £ 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 Manchester 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 Manchester
✨Get to Know Your E-commerce Community
Dive into specific e-commerce forums and groups on platforms like Reddit or Facebook. Engaging with these communities can open up opportunities and give you insights into what companies like Castore are looking for when hiring for a Group Head of Marketplaces.
✨Showcase Your Skills with an Online Portfolio
In e-commerce, a strong online presence can set you apart. Create a portfolio that highlights any projects, case studies, or even personal ventures related to e-commerce. When you apply to Castore for the Group Head of Marketplaces, a tangible demonstration of your skills could make a huge difference.
✨Attend E-commerce Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on e-commerce conferences and workshops in your area. Not only will you gain valuable knowledge, but networking with industry professionals could lead to job leads. Plus, if you're keen to work at Castore as a Group Head of Marketplaces, rub shoulders with their representatives when possible!
✨Utilise Company Resources
Don’t forget to check out Castore’s career page for any unique application processes or opportunities that might not be listed on job boards. Applying directly through their website might give your application a bit more visibility, especially for a Group Head of Marketplaces.
We think you need these skills to ace Group Head of Marketplaces in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your E-Commerce Savviness:When you're applying for an e-commerce role at Castore, make sure your CV reflects your familiarity with online retail platforms, digital marketing, and user experience. Highlight any relevant tools and technologies you've used, like Shopify or Google Analytics, to demonstrate that you’re well-versed in the industry.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just reiterate your CV; it’s your chance to showcase your passion for e-commerce and how it aligns with Castore's goals. Mention specific projects or achievements that relate to the role, and don’t forget to express your enthusiasm for working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where you can make a tangible impact.
Metrics Matter:In the world of e-commerce, numbers speak volumes. When detailing your past experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible—like the percentage of sales growth you contributed to or successful conversion rates from marketing campaigns. This will make your application stand out and show that you're results-driven.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t forget to customise your CV and cover letter for the specific position at Castore. Use keywords from the job description, and address the unique challenges the company may face in the e-commerce space. A personalised application helps us see that you're not just applying everywhere but are genuinely interested in being part of our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Castore
✨Show Off Your E-commerce Know-How
In a sector like e-commerce, having a strong grasp of current trends and technologies is crucial. Let’s make sure you’ve brushed up on key platforms that Castore uses—think about popular e-commerce software, digital marketing strategies, and how these affect consumer behaviour. Being able to discuss these intelligently can really set you apart.
✨Portfolio Power: Showcase Your Results
For a full-time e-commerce role, it’s key for us to present a portfolio that highlights your results rather than just your tasks. If you’ve worked on campaigns or projects, bring examples that showcase your contribution and the impact they made—use metrics if you can! This helps to illustrate your value in a real-world context.
✨Technical Questions: Prep for the Specifics
Get ready to tackle some technical questions related to e-commerce analytics, SEO tools, or website optimisation. Think about any past experiences where you utilised data to inform decisions or improve sales. Being prepared with specific examples will showcase not just your knowledge, but also your practical application of it, which we all know is crucial!
✨Engage in a Conversational Style
Full-time interviews can feel quite formal, but try to keep it conversational, especially if you click with your interviewers at Castore. Share your thoughts and ideas about the future of e-commerce, and don’t shy away from engaging with their questions openly. The more genuine and relatable you are, the better connection you’ll create!
