Behind the scenes
«I’m respected here and can be myself»
by Seraina Cadonau
Talents ahoy! From tech geek to duke of diapers
12.2.2021
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
Digitec Galaxus has its fair share of geeks. But there’s only one geek who buys nappies professionally: Viktor Wiesinger. He told me all about how this came about.
Viktor is a Junior Category Buying Manager for the «Baby & Toys» sector. His job involves buying baby monitors, diapers and around 4,000 related articles for Galaxus customers. He also negotiates conditions with over 100 suppliers. Ironically, Viktor doesn’t have children of his own. He’s a techie with a passion for virtual reality, good music and nights of hard partying. He joined Digitec Galaxus as a so-called Category Talent. Young, talented and tech-savvy – a perfect match for a digitec product category. But instead, Viktor ended up at «Baby & Toys».
Viktor, what made you join Digitec Galaxus?
Viktor: During my Master’s degree in Marketing at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, I put together a list of fast-growing companies in Switzerland. In other words, companies where I could make a difference. Of course, Digitec Galaxus was on that list. Being a tech geek, I’ve known digitec for ages anyway. I placed my very first order in 2008: a projector and screen. I found out about the Category Management Talent position through an ad on the job portal Indeed. In August 2019, I applied for it.
Category Management Talent?
This is how I explain it to my friends: in the navigation of both online shops, there are many product categories ranging from home to media. Each category is made up of a team of around 10–15 employees. As a Category Management Talent in one of these teams, you can either be a buyer, a specialist for product promotion (Category Marketing Manager) or a developer. If you’re the latter, your job entails searching for new brands, suppliers or manufacturers and integrating them.
I’ve been employed as a Junior Category Manager for 14 months now. And it looks like I’ll be changing functions soon. Category Development appeals to me. At a later stage, I’m also free to join a different team. This rotation system allows us to acquire a broad skill set all the way up to e-commerce professional.
How did you end up in the product category «Baby & Toys»?
That was a coincidence. A few weeks after my application, I was invited for an interview. My preference would’ve been the marketing position in consumer electronics at digitec. Instead, I was offered a job as a buyer in the category «Baby & Toys». After the second interview, I realised how much responsibility I could take on as a buyer in this area. The growth figures for this category were an additional motivation. I can really make a difference there, I thought to myself. Besides, I really liked the team right from the start.
I have absolutely no dealings with babies. Except for the fact that I used to be a baby... and still am, if you ask my sister.
Are diapers something you buy yourself?
No, I have absolutely no dealings with babies. Except for the fact that I used to be a baby... and still am, if you ask my sister. But who knows? I might be a proud papa one of these days and will need to get some for my kids. Or I might need some myself when I’m a granddad. I’m interested in fast-moving consumer goods – or FMCG. They’re the products that are sold quickly. Diapers and wet wipes belong to this group. All in all, I make sure that around 4,000 articles are consistently available. I’m also responsible for sales in the high eight-figure range.
How did it go in the beginning?
I started in November 2019, just before Black Friday and the pre-Christmas sales. Two weeks into my job and I was already having annual review with our top suppliers. I was also directly involved in drawing up the budget for 2020. Like all juniors in Category Management, I was thrown in at the deep end. Nevertheless, I received support whenever I needed it. I soon discovered that, unlike other companies, Digitec Galaxus actually lives its corporate values and doesn't just adorn itself with them.
If you’re looking for routine and don’t like changes or surprises, Digitec Galaxus isn’t the right place for you.
Have things quietened down a bit since you started?
Typically, November through March is the busiest time in our category. But instead of kicking back, we had to deal with Corona and the big question of how demand would behave over the next few months and how or whether our top sellers would remain available to our customers. It’s a challenge that still drives us today. I’m grateful and proud to be part of the crew and to do my bit for success. The speed of e-commerce is mirrored in our daily work. Our finger’s on the pulse and we optimise our processes on a quarterly basis. If you’re looking for routine and don’t like changes or surprises, Digitec Galaxus isn’t the right place for you.
What does your average day at work look like?
Currently, I’m at home a lot. I usually wear sweatpants and a top with a collar when I’m talking to suppliers. Honestly, my job couldn’t be more varied. Buying is only a small part of what I do. I spend a lot time optimising processes and building strategic partnerships with suppliers. We rarely work on a project alone, so team spirit is encouraged on a daily basis: coffee breaks onsite or via Teams, our monthly Friday Beer session, which normally takes place in a pub, a board game get-together in a meeting room, beer pong right outside the office in the summer... or, nowadays, a game of Skribbl or Categories on Teams.
Time to look into the crystal ball: is Digitec Galaxus just a fling or the love of your life?
Digitec Galaxus is the first employer I could imagine a long-term career with. One thing’s for sure, I won’t get bored. It looks like I’ll be switching to Development soon and working as a Category Marketing Manager in the midterm. And then I still have the option to change categories.
There are also plenty of rungs to climb on the career ladder. From Junior to Manager, from Manager to Senior and from Senior to Category Leader. I already got a taste of leadership mentoring my colleagues or being the main person responsible for large projects. You can also take part in cross-team process groups (we call them guilds) and actively bring in your ideas.
And should I set sail for new horizons one of these days, I’ll be a buyer with an amazing network of suppliers who’d be exciting to make that change with.
Thank you, Viktor, and good luck with your next round of Skribbl!
Feel like joining us as a Category Management Talent? Check out the job description here.
David Kübler
Communications Manager
david.kuebler@digitecgalaxus.chI'm a communicator and songwriter with a passion for good food, lovely people, adventure and activities involving mountains and water.
