Job ID: 38234
Location: Paris, France
Sector: E-commerce / Social Commerce / Technology
Level: Senior Leadership
Employment Type: Permanent
We are partnering with one of the world’s fastest-growing global technology and e-commerce platforms to appoint a senior Category Lead for its rapidly expanding French business.
Operating at the intersection of content, entertainment and commerce, the business is transforming how consumers discover, engage with and purchase products online. Its innovative commerce model connects brands, merchants, creators and consumers, creating significant opportunities for growth across multiple product categories.
France is one of the platform’s strongest-performing international markets, with an established team of over 50 employees in Paris and ambitious plans for continued expansion.
This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for an experienced e-commerce or marketplace professional to take ownership of a major commercial category, develop its long-term strategy and lead a high-performing team.
Reporting directly to the senior leader responsible for the French market, you will act as a key strategic partner, combining commercial ownership, analytical thinking and people leadership to drive sustainable category growth.
We are particularly interested in candidates who can think beyond traditional sales and business development, bringing the strategic capability to identify market opportunities, solve complex commercial challenges and shape the future direction of a rapidly scaling business.
Category Strategy & Commercial Leadership
Own and develop the overall strategy for a major e-commerce category within the French market.
Take responsibility for category commercial performance, including GMV, revenue growth, profitability and long-term sustainability.
Identify market opportunities, competitive advantages and new growth initiatives through detailed commercial and consumer analysis.
Develop and execute strategic business plans, balancing short-term performance with long-term category development.
Establish clear commercial priorities, performance metrics and operational objectives.
Work closely with senior leadership to influence broader market strategy and business planning.
Marketplace Growth & Seller Development
Develop a comprehensive understanding of the category’s competitive landscape, consumer behaviour and seller ecosystem.
Identify and prioritise strategic brands, merchants and commercial partners to strengthen the marketplace proposition.
Build relationships with key sellers and partners, supporting their long-term growth and commercial performance.
Identify opportunities to improve product assortment, pricing competitiveness, seller productivity and customer experience.
Develop scalable initiatives that accelerate category growth and improve marketplace efficiency.
Work across content, creator and commercial ecosystems to identify new opportunities for customer acquisition and transaction growth.
Team Leadership & Development
Lead and develop an established category team of approximately 6–7 people.
Set clear objectives, establish performance expectations and create a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Coach and mentor team members, supporting individual development and building future leadership capability.
Ensure effective prioritisation, resource allocation and execution across the category.
Foster a collaborative, commercially focused environment capable of operating at pace.
Strategic Planning & Cross-functional Collaboration
Act as a trusted strategic partner to the senior leadership team, providing commercial insights and recommendations.
Analyse complex business challenges and translate data into actionable commercial strategies.
Partner with product, marketing, operations and other commercial teams to deliver category objectives.
Identify operational inefficiencies and implement improvements that support sustainable growth.
Operate independently, taking ownership of strategic initiatives from initial analysis through to execution.
Contribute to the broader development of the French business as it continues to scale.
We are looking for a commercially astute, analytical and strategically minded leader with a strong track record of delivering growth within complex, fast-moving environments.
Essential Experience
Minimum 10 years of professional experience, ideally within e-commerce, marketplaces, retail, consumer technology or a related commercial environment.
Proven experience leading and developing teams of at least 6–7 people.
Strong commercial and strategic planning experience, with the ability to translate market insights into measurable business outcomes.
Demonstrable ownership of commercial performance, ideally including category P&L, revenue, profitability or GMV.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with confidence working with complex data and commercial performance metrics.
Experience influencing senior stakeholders and working cross-functionally within a complex organisation.
Ability to operate autonomously, make commercially sound decisions and manage competing priorities.
Strong understanding of the French consumer market and wider e-commerce landscape.
Fluent French and English communication skills.
Particularly Relevant Backgrounds
We are open to candidates from a range of professional backgrounds, provided they demonstrate the right combination of strategic capability, commercial experience and people leadership.
Relevant experience may include:
Senior category management or commercial leadership within major e-commerce marketplaces.
Marketplace, retail or consumer technology businesses with significant commercial scale.
Strategy consulting backgrounds, particularly where candidates have subsequently moved into operational or commercial leadership.
Investment banking or corporate strategy experience combined with hands-on business leadership.
Senior leadership positions within global e-commerce platforms, particularly those involving category ownership, P&L management and cross-functional strategy.
Experience across beauty, FMCG or consumer electronics would be particularly relevant, with beauty experience especially attractive.
We are not necessarily looking for someone who has spent their entire career in one product category. Strategic thinking, analytical strength and the ability to lead a commercial business are more important than narrow category specialisation.
Strategic ownership: This is much more than a traditional category management or business development position. You will have meaningful responsibility for shaping category direction, commercial strategy and long-term growth.
Senior leadership exposure: Work directly with the leader responsible for the French market, with the opportunity to influence decisions beyond your immediate category.
A high-growth international business: Join a global technology platform that is redefining the relationship between content, consumers and commerce.
Established team and infrastructure: Lead an existing team within a growing Paris operation, combining the resources of a global business with the agility of a rapidly expanding market.
Commercial innovation: Help develop a new generation of e-commerce, where creators, content, brands and consumers come together in a highly engaging shopping experience.
If you are an experienced e-commerce, marketplace or commercial leader who enjoys combining strategic thinking with hands-on execution and team leadership, we would welcome a confidential conversation.
Apply today or contact Cranberry Panda to learn more about this opportunity.
Recruitment Consultant: Yasha Mirsamadi yasha@cranberrypanda.co.uk