Sephora Buyer — Packaging & Supplier Performance
- Employment
- Contract
- Seniority
- Mid-Level
- Department
- Merchandising, Buying & Planning
- Posted
- May 19, 2026
About Sephora
Sephora is a leading selective beauty retailer and a strategic maison within the LVMH family. Sephora Collection is the brand’s in‑house label that democratises high‑performance, responsibly minded beauty across makeup, skincare, haircare and fragrance. As an employer, Sephora emphasises innovation, talent development and cross‑functional collaboration within a fast‑paced, internationally scaled retail organisation.
Sephora seeks a Buyer (Packaging & Supplier Performance) in Neuilly‑sur‑Seine (CDD) to manage supplier relations, packaging launches and SAP-based procurement.
Role & Responsibilities
- Manage end‑to‑end supplier relationships: map suppliers, assess industrial capacities, commercial performance, regulatory and RSE (CSR) compliance and act as primary contact for strategic suppliers.
- Define supplier panels and lead competitive sourcing: issue RFPs via the e‑Achat/e‑procurement platform, evaluate offers, and award new contracts in line with category strategy.
- Drive new product launches (seasonal events, collaborations): purchase packaging, bulk and packaging services; verify production workflows and secure industrial capacity.
- Negotiate commercial terms, launch and re‑stock pricing, exclusivity agreements and RFAs; ensure contractual and legal frameworks are respected.
- Monitor supplier performance and margins: run performance reviews, manage disputes, produce purchasing and supplier reports, and propose continuous improvement initiatives (TCO, LCM, lead‑time reduction).
- Operate as a key user for sourcing and referencing tools: enter purchasing data in SAP, manage supplier referencing and participate in tool evolution projects.
- Contribute to supply continuity and risk mitigation: participate in business continuity plans, pilot withdrawals and coordinate cross‑functional projects to optimize supply agility and inventory.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree (Bac +5) from a business school, engineering school or equivalent with a purchasing specialization.
- Professional working proficiency in English.
- 3–5 years' experience in purchasing/procurement, preferably with packaging, promotional items, cosmetics (make‑up) or skincare portfolios.
- Strong negotiation skills and commercial orientation with proven ability to deliver margin improvements.
- Ability to operate in an international environment and to coordinate cross‑functional stakeholders.
- Organisational rigor, project management experience and a collaborative leadership style.
Skills
Experience
3–5 years of progressive purchasing experience, ideally within packaging, promotional items or cosmetics supply chains, with demonstrated negotiation successes and supplier performance management.
Education
Bac +5 (Master's) from a business or engineering school with a specialization in purchasing/procurement.
Workplace
The successful candidate will be located in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Île-de-France, France, with easy access to Paris.
Benefits
Personalised training and career development plans; hybrid working arrangement.
Culture
Sephora fosters a fast‑moving, entrepreneurial culture that values creativity, inclusivity and continuous learning. As part of the LVMH family, the organisation combines strong retail ambition with a commitment to professional development and responsible sourcing.
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 «Packaging Buyer», «Category Buyer – Packaging & Suppliers», «Procurement Specialist – Packaging», «Supplier Development Buyer», «Purchasing Buyer», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.