Retail Procurement Apprentice
Guerlain — Retail Procurement Apprentice (alternance) in Paris. Join Merchandising Purchasing for boutique furniture and POS sourcing (12‑month apprenticeship).
Overview
Guerlain is an iconic French Maison of perfumes and cosmetics known for craftsmanship, refinement and product excellence. As part of the LVMH group, the brand combines heritage savoir‑faire with global retail development across boutique and department store networks.
Role & Responsibilities
- Implement the end‑to‑end procurement process for non‑production purchases (boutique furniture and point‑of‑sale counters) on a global scope.
- Perform needs analysis, source and qualify suppliers by project location, manage requests for proposals, lead negotiations and drive contractualisation and supplier onboarding in line with merchandising guidelines and budget.
- Conduct supplier evaluation and quality homologation; monitor contract execution to ensure correct pricing application, product quality and dispute resolution.
- Apply cost optimisation methodologies (design‑to‑cost, value analysis) and source alternative materials in close collaboration with merchandising teams.
- Identify and reference centralized production partners for recurring needs to improve lead times and consistency of quality.
- Contribute to the definition and deployment of zone‑based sourcing strategies and coordinate with cross‑functional branches.
- Follow up on social audits and oversee corrective action plans with suppliers.
Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in a Bac+4/+/5 (Master’s level) programme in a business school, engineering school or equivalent university degree and eligible for an alternance/apprenticeship contract.
- Ideally one prior internship or first experience in purchasing, procurement or negotiation; experience in luxury or beauty is a strong advantage.
- Fluent written and spoken English.
- Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; knowledge of SAP is a plus.
- Excellent organisational skills, strong analytical aptitude, rigorous prioritisation, collaborative team spirit, adaptability and good interpersonal skills.
Skills
Experience
Early‑career/apprenticeship level. No prior full‑time professional experience required; ideally one internship in purchasing/procurement or negotiation, preferably within luxury or beauty.
Education
Bac+4/+5 (Master’s level) in business, engineering or equivalent university programme; eligible for alternance/apprenticeship (12‑month contract starting September 2026).
Culture
Guerlain blends traditional French luxury savoir‑faire with contemporary retail dynamism. The Maison values craftsmanship, meticulous attention to detail and cross‑disciplinary collaboration, offering a workplace where creativity, high standards and international exposure shape professional development.