Sephora Assistant Category Manager (work-study)
- Employment
- Internship
- Seniority
- Intern
- Department
- Merchandising, Buying & Planning
- Posted
- May 5, 2026
About Sephora
Sephora is a leading global beauty retailer and proprietor of the Sephora Collection private label, operating both extensive store networks and a robust e-commerce platform. As a member of the LVMH group, the brand is known for curating a diverse assortment of prestige and mass beauty brands while fostering an inclusive, innovation-minded retail culture.
Sephora — Neuilly-sur-Seine: Assistant Category Manager (work-study) for Sephora Collection. Alternance (12–24 months) starting Sept 2026.
Role & Responsibilities
- Support country category teams by communicating autonomously to facilitate launch plan implementation and to answer operational queries.
- Coordinate operational activation programs (sampling, gift-with-purchase, kits) with supply chain to ensure timely delivery and execution.
- Ensure accuracy of internal product and launch documentation (innovation launch plans, product lists, forecasts, assortment) to maintain clear information flows.
- Consolidate country feedback and best-practice learnings to share across the region.
- Assist in adapting 360° activation plans and European toolkits and follow up with country partners to secure implementation and compliance.
- Liaise with the brand team to maintain up-to-date product and marketing information.
- Support forecasting for new launches and promotional activities.
- Prepare monthly commercial reports for the European region, analyse performance data to identify growth opportunities, and produce 360° post-launch reviews.
- Build collaborative, proactive relationships with cross-functional teams including brand, supply chain and country category managers to foster alignment.
Qualifications
- Eligible for a French alternance (work-study) contract — available for a 12- or 24-month placement starting September 2026.
- Enrolled in a higher-education programme (Bachelor’s or Master’s) in business, marketing, retail management, economics or a related field.
- Fluent working proficiency in English, able to communicate effectively with international teams.
- Strong analytical problem-solver with curiosity and an ability to turn data into actionable recommendations.
- Entrepreneurial mindset; comfortable working in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
- Proactive, autonomous and highly organised.
Skills
Experience
Beginner-level role suitable for candidates with limited professional experience; previous internships in retail, category management, merchandising or marketing are advantageous but not required.
Education
Enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's programme in Business, Marketing, Retail Management, Economics or a closely related discipline.
Workplace
This position is based in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Île-de-France, France, within easy reach of Paris.
Culture
Sephora cultivates an inclusive, diverse and fast-moving workplace where curiosity and creativity are encouraged. Teams benefit from a strong focus on professional development, cross-functional collaboration and a mission-driven environment centered on beauty innovation.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Sephora, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Category Management Assistant», «Junior Category Analyst», «Assistant Product Category Manager», «Category Coordination Specialist», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.