At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead shipping strategy to drive growth and improve affordability at Depop.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at Depop, a leading marketplace for unique fashion.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, health benefits, and generous leave policies.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on marketplace economics while shaping the future of shipping.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategy and operations, with strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Collaborate across teams and enjoy a supportive work culture.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Depop is entering its next phase of growth, with a clear ambition to scale buyer demand, increase purchase frequency, and strengthen our competitive position, particularly in the US. Shipping is a critical lever in achieving this, directly shaping buyer conversion, affordability perception, seller success, and long-term marketplace economics. As Depop grows, shipping has evolved from a supporting operational function into a driver of growth and unit economics.
We are hiring a Senior Strategy & Operations Manager (Shipping) to play a central role in shaping how Depop scales its marketplace economics over the next phase of growth. This role exists to provide senior, end-to-end ownership of shipping strategy execution, ensuring we can deliver a coherent, multi-year shipping roadmap that supports growth while improving affordability and the sustainability of our cost base.
This is a senior individual contributor role with full ownership of shipping execution across strategy and operations. You will not manage a team, but you will operate with significant autonomy and influence, acting as the single-threaded owner across Product, Engineering, Analytics, Finance, Commercial, Marketing, Operations, and external partners.
Responsibilities- End-to-End Ownership of Shipping Execution
- Own outcomes across Depop's shipping roadmap, with direct impact on growth, affordability, and marketplace economics.
- Define priorities, sequencing, dependencies, and success metrics across a portfolio of shipping initiatives.
- Drive alignment across teams with competing priorities, making trade-offs explicit to maximise impact and execution velocity.
- Affordability as a Growth Lever
- Lead initiatives aimed at improving buyer-facing shipping prices and affordability perception to support conversion and repeat purchase.
- Design, execute, and evaluate experiments across subsidies, seller incentives, and promotional approaches.
- Partner with Analytics and Finance to measure impact and guide ongoing investment decisions.
- Cost and Commercial Strategy Execution
- Lead cross-functional efforts to reduce shipping costs while increasing flexibility to support growth over time.
- Shape carrier and logistics partner strategies across multiple shipping models.
- Own execution of shipping-related commercial initiatives in close partnership with Finance, Legal, and Etsy stakeholders.
- Long-Term Shipping Strategy
- Lead the definition of Depop's long-term shipping operating model to support scale, growth, and competitive differentiation.
- Advance future-facing initiatives such as multi-carrier design, alternative pickup and drop-off models, label architecture, subscriptions, and loyalty concepts.
- Ensure near-term decisions remain aligned with long-term growth objectives and platform strategy.
- Cross-Functional Leadership and Operating Rhythm
- Act as the central owner connecting Product, Engineering, Analytics, Finance, Commercial, Marketing, and Operations around a coherent shipping roadmap.
- Establish effective operating rhythms and decision forums, and deliver clear, data-backed recommendations to senior and executive stakeholders.
- Surface risks, dependencies, and trade-offs early, and influence roadmap sequencing and investment decisions through insight and judgment.
- Extensive experience in strategy, operations, consulting, product operations, or related roles within technology-led, marketplace, or platform businesses.
- Demonstrated experience owning complex, cross-functional initiatives tied to growth, economics, or user experience.
- Strong strategic and analytical problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn ambiguous challenges into clear hypotheses, metrics, and action plans.
- Comfort building and using financial and operational models to inform prioritisation and investment decisions.
- Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and align teams without direct authority.
- Experience working closely with Product, Engineering, Analytics, and Finance teams in a product-led environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly in executive-facing contexts.
- Experience in shipping, logistics, fulfilment, or last-mile delivery within an e-commerce or marketplace context.
- Exposure to pricing, affordability, cost optimisation, or commercial strategy initiatives.
- Experience partnering with external vendors, carriers, or platform partners.
- Experience operating in a global or multi-market environment.
This role is well suited to someone who is motivated by growth-oriented problems and enjoys operating at the intersection of strategy and execution. You are comfortable navigating ambiguity, making trade-offs with incomplete information, and driving clarity across complex, cross-functional environments. You are energised by building systems and operating models that scale and by seeing your work directly enable the next phase of company growth.
Additional information- Health + Mental Wellbeing: PMI and cash plan healthcare access with Bupa; Subsidised counselling and coaching with Self Space; Cycle to Work scheme with options from Evans or the Green Commute Initiative; Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for 24/7 confidential support; Mental Health First Aiders across the business for support and signposting.
- Work/Life Balance: 25 days annual leave with option to carry over up to 5 days; 1 company-wide day off per quarter; Impact hours: Up to 2 days additional paid leave per year for volunteering; Fully paid 4 week sabbatical after completion of 5 years of consecutive service with Depop.
- Flexible Working: MyMode hybrid-working model with Flex, Office Based, and Remote options; All offices are dog-friendly; Ability to work abroad for 4 weeks per year in UK tax treaty countries.
- Family Life: 18 weeks of paid parental leave for full-time regular employees; IVF leave, shared parental leave, and paid emergency parent/carer leave.
- Learn + Grow: Budgets for conferences, learning subscriptions, and more; Mentorship and programmes to upskill employees.
- Your Future: Life Insurance (3x salary); Pension matching up to 6% of qualifying earnings; Depop Extras: free shipping on Depop sales within the UK; Special milestones are celebrated with gifts and rewards!
Senior Strategy & Operations Manager (Shipping) employer: Depop
Contact Detail:
Depop Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Strategy & Operations Manager (Shipping)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at Depop or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding Depop's shipping strategy inside out. Know the latest trends in logistics and how they impact buyer conversion. This will show you're not just interested, but genuinely invested in their growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role. Highlight your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, especially in cross-functional settings. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and contributing to Depop's exciting journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Strategy & Operations Manager (Shipping)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Strategy & Operations Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in strategy, operations, and shipping, and show us how you can drive growth at Depop.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: We love data-driven decision-making! Include examples of how you've used analytical skills to solve complex problems or improve processes in your previous roles. This will help us see your strategic mindset in action.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We want to understand your experience and ideas without wading through unnecessary fluff!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Depop
✨Know Your Shipping Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into Depop's current shipping strategy and how it aligns with their growth ambitions. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to enhancing buyer conversion and affordability perception.
✨Showcase Cross-Functional Experience
Highlight your experience in managing complex, cross-functional initiatives. Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to influence teams without direct authority, especially in product-led environments.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to inform strategic decisions in past roles. Bring examples of financial and operational models you've built or used to guide prioritisation and investment decisions.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially when discussing complex ideas. Since this role involves executive-facing contexts, ensure you can present your insights in a concise and impactful manner.