Guerlain Trade Marketing & Merchandising Manager

About Guerlain

Founded in Paris in 1828, Guerlain is one of the world’s most storied maisons of fragrance, beauty and skincare, renowned for its artisanal excellence, scientific innovation and enduring sense of French elegance. As an employer, Guerlain offers the opportunity to contribute to a living heritage where creativity, craftsmanship and responsible luxury meet. Its teams span perfumery, retail excellence, research, marketing, supply chain and corporate functions, united by a passion for exceptional products and client experience. With a strong commitment to biodiversity, sustainability and the preservation of savoir-faire, Guerlain attracts talents who aspire to shape the future of beauty while honoring nearly two centuries of legacy.

Role & Responsibilities

• Build and manage the annual Trade Marketing plan for all offline retail channels in partnership with the Brand General Manager, encompassing strategic positioning, promotional calendar, and retailer activation roadmap
• Develop and optimize Trade support tools, including POS materials, promotional templates, and retailer communication kits, to enable flawless brand execution across the network
• Oversee the implementation and monitoring of all Trade promotions, coordinating POS material distribution and in-store execution to ensure timely, compliant, and on-brand delivery
• Define promotional targets in support of retailer negotiations, monitor real-time performance during activations, and conduct post-campaign analysis to optimize future initiatives
• Deploy and monitor local POS Trade activities at independent clients and flagship locations, including promotional contracts, brand gifts, and gift-with-purchase programs
• Collaborate with the Senior Product Manager to conceptualize and execute podium displays and experiential Trade activations
• Build and monitor all Trade-related forecasts, including gift-with-purchase volumes and sampling plans, within approved budget parameters
• Prepare monthly Trade performance reports for the Europe Regional Team and present the quarterly activation calendar and merchandising roadmap to the Sales Team
• Conduct regular competitive analysis and market reviews to inform strategic refinements to Trade plans
• Guarantee consistent and elevated Guerlain brand presentation across all offline touchpoints—retailer chains, shop-in-shops, counters, and the Guerlain Spa—in strict alignment with brand guidelines and visual standards
• Develop and update detailed planograms across all three axes for each product launch and assortment change, in collaboration with the Senior Product Manager
• Ensure accurate in-store implementation of planograms and Merchandising guidelines through regular audits and coordination with the Sales Team
• Forecast all Merchandising elements required for launches, retailer activations, store openings, renovations, and seasonal campaigns across all retail formats
• Lead the planning and execution of brand podia in collaboration with the Sales, Education & Events Manager, including site selection, sales target setting, and ROI monitoring
• Oversee Merchandising execution for all brand events—masterclasses, product training sessions, PR events, and influencer activations
• Coordinate soft and hard Merchandising projects, including store openings, renovations, window displays, and temporary brand visibility installations, with external suppliers and European Merchandising teams
• Lead the Elevate Key Cities regional initiative in partnership with the Brand General Manager, ensuring seamless implementation across priority locations
• Train and support the Sales Team on Merchandising execution standards and best practices
• Own end-to-end management of Trade Marketing and Merchandising budgets, including annual preparation, quarterly revisions, and monthly financial reviews with Finance
• Manage all operational expenses, including purchase orders, vendor relationships, and invoice allocation and reconciliation
• Mentor and supervise the Trade & Merchandising Intern, delegating tasks and providing feedback to support professional development

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in Trade Marketing and/or Merchandising, preferably within luxury, beauty, or selective retail
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in Marketing, Business, Communication, Design, or a related discipline
• Proven expertise in budget management, financial forecasting, and cost control
• Demonstrated success in managing multiple concurrent projects and complex stakeholder relationships in fast-paced retail environments
• Fluent in Dutch and English; French language proficiency is advantageous
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint

Skills

Experience

Minimum 3 years of professional experience in Trade Marketing and/or Merchandising, ideally within luxury, beauty, or selective retail environments.

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Marketing, Business, Communication, Design, or a related field.

Workplace

Culture

Guerlain cultivates a refined workplace culture rooted in French artistry, exceptional craftsmanship, and a deep respect for its heritage in fragrance and beauty. As an employer, it values creativity, excellence, and sustainability, encouraging teams to combine innovation with the Maison’s enduring sense of elegance and purpose.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.