Category Management Intern Review

• Develop a strong level of category and customer expertise across Hair, Colour + Style to provide meaningful + actionable recommendations for our B2B + selected B2C retailers. • Analyse multiple sources of data to fully understand all PPD categories. Develop full understanding of all internal data sources + software, to drive understanding of our customers + their clients. • Lead creation + presentation regular market + PPD performance reviews + insights for the division + selected customers. • Partner with CMI (Consumer Market Insights) + Market Intelligence teams to ensure we get maximum impact from all market, consumer + customer research, from a category as well as brand point of view – ensure outputs are translatable for internal teams + customers. • Develop a close working relationship with the internal PPD Commercial and Marketing Teams to understand all commercial objectives and provide value-add services + insights to enhance our business activations. • Support Head of Category Management in creation and development of 3yr Category Strategies for Colour + Hair to drive PPD Go-to-market strategy across all brands + channels. • Lead the range review (range and assortment) process internally across all PPD brands. Undertake data analysis, range and space evaluation, and prepare + maintain merchandising principles + planograms throughout the year. • Work with B2B, Ecomm + Field teams to drive implementation of above planograms + other catman services in as many PPD clients as possible. • Support Head of Catman in specific merchandising / look + feel projects for chosen customers. • Support Head of Catman in driving digital acceleration through ideal taxonomy, user-experience, consumer segmentation in your retailers + work with the CMO / Market Intelligence team to translate market leading data into actions + opportunities.

I have learned how to use internal tools for planogram creation and visual merchandising practices. This role has allowed me to develop my communication, time management and collaboration skills through numerous projects across multiple brand teams.

Yes, while the level of responsibility you are given is specific to your role and team, I would say that interns at L'Oréal are given more responsibilities overall than interns at other companies are given. In my role, I was given a significant amount of responsibility, and more importantly, the support needed to pursue my responsibilities independently.

The support and guidance given does depend on your manager and wider team. The L'Oréal early careers team does a good job at supporting you and helping you upskill, and the company itself offers many opportunities for you to grow. In my experience, my manager was incredibly supportive and effective in guiding me, while still giving me the freedom to experiment and learn by myself, which I really appreciated.

Overall, L'Oréal is a very welcoming company and maintains a cooperative and accepting atmosphere. However, each division does have its own 'reputation' and flavour of corporate culture. The professional products division is probably one of the most relaxed, friendly and social divisions. The luxe division is known for being stricter and more intense, while the consumer products division is known for being more fast-paced. The dermatological beauty division is similar to the professional products division.

I very much enjoyed my internship, partially because of my role and my team, and partially because of the strong intern community at L'Oréal. As there are many interns, apprentices, and grads, it is a lot easier to make friends and create your own family within the company, which naturally has a positive impact on your experience.

Yes

Make sure you know the company and its initiatives well- meaning brands, products, market trends as well as L'Oréal's commitments towards sustainability, inclusivity, diversity etc. Doing your research and being able to demonstrate genuine interest for the company are key factors which can set you apart during the assessment centres and interview processes. As L'Oréal is a very social company where a lot of collaboration and teamwork is needed on the daily to get tasks done quickly and effectively, it is also important that you are a good fit from a corporate culture perspective. So, identify ways how you align with L'Oréal's key company values, and find ways to integrate these concepts when you are applying.