Hermès Chemical and Regulatory Quality Apprentice (Footwear)

About Hermès

Hermès Sellier is the leather goods and footwear division of Hermès, the French luxury house renowned for artisanal craftsmanship and high-quality materials. As an employer, the brand combines rigorous product standards with long-term supplier relationships and an increasing focus on sustainability and responsible sourcing within the wider Hermès group.

Role & Responsibilities

• Monitor international regulatory developments relevant to CSR, chemical safety and material/product compliance (REACH, CLP, Prop 65, etc.) and assess their impacts on footwear activities.
• Identify and analyse short-, medium- and long-term regulatory risks and present implications for product development and sourcing.
• Participate in cross-functional working groups to align practices and share regulatory feedback across métiers.
• Maintain and ensure accuracy of supplier documentation and specifications; support contract/cahier des charges follow-up and signature processes.
• Support internal training sessions on regulatory changes and best-practice RSE processes.
• Coordinate chemical innocuity testing for each collection launch with external laboratories and monitor testing timelines.
• Ensure traceability and integrity of chemical analysis data and optimise management tools for results handling.
• Collaborate with laboratories, IT and Quality teams to enhance tools for chemical result management and train end-users on their correct use.
• Communicate test results and corrective action plans to tanneries, manufacturers and development teams.
• Track compliance KPIs and monitor trends using Power BI dashboards.
• Develop a regulatory and RSE risk map for key materials and suppliers and contribute to automated regulatory-tracking tools by geography.
• Contribute to cross‑functional improvement projects such as material approval process redesign, supply‑chain studies and document harmonisation.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in a Bac+4/5 (Master-level) programme in chemistry, sustainable development (RSE) or engineering school.
• Solid familiarity with polymer chemistry.
• Strong ability to formalise information and produce concise syntheses.
• Methodical, well organised and reliable.
• Good interpersonal skills and a collaborative mindset.
• Product sensitivity and interest in luxury footwear.
• Proficiency in Italian is a desirable plus.

Skills

Experience

Open to beginners; suitable for a student currently enrolled in a Master-level programme. Prior laboratory experience or exposure to regulatory affairs or quality processes is advantageous but not required.

Education

Master-level student (Bac+4/5) in chemistry, RSE/sustainability or engineering school.

Workplace

Culture

The team emphasises craftsmanship, technical rigour and cross-disciplinary collaboration typical of Hermès divisions, with an increasing commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing. The workplace values careful attention to product quality, collective problem-solving and inclusive practices.

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.