TOPIC:
What do we think about our workplace?
Hear some voices from our ZenMarket Marketing Team talk about their experience working at ZenGroup.
Can you describe your role and duties?
Dzvinka: I’m the Section Leader in the ZenMarket marketing department, responsible for coordinating the marketing team, setting marketing goals aligned with company objectives, and ensuring their successful execution. Originally, I joined ZenMarket as a customer support specialist. Over the past 10 years, I was promoted to customer support manager before transitioning to the marketing department. Within a few years, I advanced to Team Leader and eventually to my current role as Section Leader.
Gianluca: As the Vice-Section Leader in the ZenMarket marketing department, I support the Section Leader in managing team operations and serve as a bridge between leadership and our Marketing Team. My responsibilities include delegating tasks, monitoring progress, and ensuring team members have the necessary resources to work efficiently. Additionally, I contribute to strategic planning and process improvements to enhance overall team performance.
Alex: As a Marketing Team Leader at ZenMarket, I provide guidance and direction to marketers, coordinate campaign communications across various channels, and develop manuals and guides to streamline marketing processes. Additionally, I optimize workflows using automation tools like Zapier to improve efficiency. I also collaborate with other marketing team leaders to plan and execute cross-market campaigns and initiatives, including our loyalty program, shipping campaigns, and store collaborations.
Denise: I am the Unit Leader for the ZenMarket English Unit, responsible for overseeing marketing activities in English-speaking markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. My duties include developing marketing strategies to achieve our KPIs and working closely with my unit members to expand our market reach as much as possible.
What is the atmosphere of your team like?
Alex: The ZenMarket marketing team is made up of bright, positive individuals, all with their own set of skills, strengths, and weaknesses. One of the benefits of our team is how diverse it is. You might be surprised to learn that our team has over 30 members, and only one colleague is a Japanese national!
With such a diverse melting pot of cultures, personalities and skillsets, our team is able to tackle problems from a number of different perspectives, and develop innovative solutions that may not otherwise be possible.
Gianluca: The ZenMarket marketing team values open communication and mutual respect, creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas and concerns.
We work collaboratively to achieve our goals, always supporting each other—especially during tight deadlines. As a team member, you can expect regular meetings and informal catch-ups to ensure alignment and keep everyone on track.
What are the appeal and rewards of your position?
Dzvinka: The most significant rewards of my position are the ability to make a difference in three areas: customers, my team, and the company.
We make it possible for overseas customers to purchase goods from Japan that would otherwise be out of reach. As a collector myself, I understand the excitement of finally receiving a long-awaited item, and our customer feedback can often be deeply touching.
As for my team, I’m happy to see our growth in numbers. I’ve been with the company for many years, and hired most of our team members. It’s incredibly rewarding to see individual employee growth—from their first day to gaining experience, taking on larger projects, and even stepping into leadership roles.
Lastly, being in management can be challenging but is also a crucial role. Ensuring that each marketer has the resources to effectively promote our service while aligning with the company’s overall vision is one of the most demanding aspects of my job. However, when everything comes together, we’re able to drive significant positive changes within ZenGroup.
Denise: The most rewarding part of my job is seeing our English market grow and more users enjoy our services. This growth indicates that my team’s marketing efforts are making an impact to help people all over the world buy the Japanese goods they want. Additionally, hearing positive feedback from our partners and customers is fantastic!
What is a memorable experience you’ve had with your team?
Denise: I really enjoy the casual hangouts, like after-work nomikai, bōnenkai, and company events. These moments give us the chance to connect with colleagues from different departments and get to know our own team members on a deeper level.
At work, we collaborate professionally, but outside of work, we also build friendships. One of my favorite experiences was my first company trip to Wakayama with ZenGroup staff—it was a great time!
Gianluca: More than just a single memorable experience, what I value most is the process of deepening our connections as teammates. Working together on a variety of projects, overcoming challenges, and celebrating achievements as a team has been the most rewarding part of my experience. We learn together, we grow together, and through this journey, we strengthen our bond as a team.
What is your favorite aspect of your position?
Gianluca: My favorite aspect of this role is the opportunity to collaborate with such diverse and talented individuals. Every team member brings unique skills and perspectives, and I enjoy finding ways to align those strengths toward a common goal.
I also appreciate the moments when we come together to solve complex problems—it’s incredibly rewarding to witness the creativity and synergy that emerge during these times. Building relationships and fostering a positive, productive environment is something I take great pride in.
Alex: My role gives me a deeper appreciation for the sheer scale of ZenMarket’s operations, and it’s fascinating to see the unique items our customers order. We’re not just aiming to increase sales, but we aim to enrich people’s lives by helping them pursue their hobbies or even achieve business goals in ways they wouldn’t be able to on their own.
Do you have a message for those considering applying to ZenGroup?
Dzvinka: Just apply! Don’t be afraid to ask questions during your interview about ZenGroup, especially about what truly matters to you.
In marketing, we work across multiple channels, including PPC, organic social media, SEO, influencers, and email, to promote a wide range of Japanese products—from anime merchandise to niche golf equipment. With such a variety of tasks, flexibility is key, and the scope of marketing activities is broad.
I started my marketing journey here, and it’s far from over. If you’re passionate about marketing, we’d love to have you on the ZenMarket team!
Denise: If you are looking for a fun but challenging work environment, ZenGroup is probably a good place for you. I have grown a lot, not solely on marketing skills, but also on being more efficient and developing interpersonal relationships. You would be able to work with different people from all over the world so don’t miss this unique opportunity.
