Hermès Purchasing Assistant — Bags & Zippers (Apprenticeship)

About Hermès

Hermès Sellier is the leather‑goods and saddlery atelier of Hermès, distinguished by artisanal savoir‑faire and a commitment to meticulously selected materials and French-based craft production. The organisation operates within the Hermès maison and maintains a reputation for excellence, stewardship of heritage techniques and a measured approach to innovation and responsible sourcing.

Role & Responsibilities

• Perform technico‑economic analyses across zipper (FAG) and luggage (R.M.S) portfolios; synthesise findings and propose formal action plans.
• Drive development of new references in close collaboration with design/production and external manufacturers.
• Support end‑of‑period price updates: participate in purchase price negotiations, run cost‑price calculations and consolidate multi‑material costing data.
• Identify supplier risks and participate in supplier performance reviews; propose and implement mitigation and optimisation actions.
• Manage purchase actions in project mode when required (securitisation, cost optimisation), tracking deliverables and timelines.
• Resolve invoice disputes and liaise with internal stakeholders to close commercial and administrative issues.
• Create and maintain component records in PLM (pricing updates, codification, BOM linkage) to improve data structuration.
• Populate and maintain supplier databases in e‑procurement tools and manage administrative compliance documents (customs conformity, supplier code of conduct, RSE questionnaires, PROVIGIS).
• Monitor and report purchasing KPIs via BI tools; co‑lead projects with supply chain (e.g., returnable packaging) and update operational dashboards.
• Support sourcing activities, follow product innovations and assist in supplier animation.

Qualifications

• Final‑year student in a business school or engineering school (Bachelor’s or Master’s level) enrolled in a 12‑month apprenticeship/alternance.
• At least one prior internship or professional experience in a corporate environment preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a clear aptitude for collaborative, cross‑functional work.
• Methodical, organised and rigorous, with demonstrated agility and responsiveness.
• Strong analytical mindset, intellectual curiosity and ability to formulate pragmatic proposals.
• Proficiency in English.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; familiarity with Power BI, PLM and e‑procurement tools is a strong advantage.

Skills

Experience

Final‑year business or engineering student with at least one prior internship or corporate experience preferred; openness to early‑career candidates who can demonstrate initiative and adaptability.

Education

Final‑year student in a business school or engineering school (Bachelor’s or Master’s level), eligible for a 12‑month apprenticeship (alternance).

Workplace

Culture

Hermès Sellier fosters a craft‑centred, highly collaborative environment that values artisanal excellence, precision and long‑term relationships with suppliers and ateliers. The workplace emphasises rigour, continuous learning and responsible practices, with active commitments to ethics, diversity and inclusion.

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.