Q: What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The successful apprentice will focus on the operational coordination of CSR product offers across various retail segments including food service and travel essentials. This involves collaborating with merchandising and product experts to develop sustainable ranges and follow up on their deployment. Key responsibilities include managing anti-waste programs and creating operational guides for points of sale. You will also handle the production of specialized marketing materials and point-of-sale displays while monitoring sales performance to evaluate the success of CSR innovations. Additionally, you will conduct strategic intelligence and monitoring of new innovative trends in sustainability. By organizing follow-up meetings with stakeholders, you ensure project milestones are met and internal communication remains aligned with the company’s broader CSR strategy.

Q: Key learning opportunities for this job

This role offers significant exposure to circular economy practices within a high-volume retail environment. You will learn how to integrate sustainability into a commercial business model, moving from theoretical CSR strategy to practical, operational implementation at the store level. You will gain technical expertise in sustainable procurement and merchandising , specifically regarding the development of green product ranges and the management of food waste. Working within a large corporate structure like Lagardère allows for learning professional project management methodologies and cross-functional coordination skills. Furthermore, you will develop a deep understanding of sustainable marketing communication . This includes mastering the nuances of environmental labeling and ensuring that CSR messaging is effectively communicated to travelers through digital and physical point-of-sale supports.

Q: How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate is a Master-level student from a top-tier Business School with a specialization in Marketing or Sustainability. You should demonstrate a genuine interest in corporate social responsibility and have the ability to translate complex environmental goals into commercial actions. Technical proficiency in Excel is mandatory , as the role requires tracking sales performance and project advancements. Since you will be interacting with various departments and possibly global teams, operational English and excellent interpersonal skills are essential for the coordination aspects of the job. Strong organizational and analytical skills are paramount to manage multiple project threads simultaneously. The company values candidates who are autonomous yet social, capable of adapting to a fast-paced retail environment while maintaining high standards of rigor in project execution.

Q: What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role specifically targets circular economy and waste reduction , particularly through the development of anti-waste programs in the food service and essentials sectors. This is likely a key pillar of the company’s strategy to reduce its operational environmental footprint. There is also a strong focus on responsible product offerings . You will be helping to redefine the retail catalog by introducing products that meet specific social or environmental criteria, thereby influencing the supply chain and consumer behavior at airports and stations. Finally, the role focuses on stakeholder engagement and transparency . By developing guides for store staff and clear communication for travelers, you ensure that the company's CSR commitments are translated into visible, transparent actions that engage both employees and customers.

Q: What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the primary challenges will be the operational coordination between diverse departments like purchasing, merchandising, and on-the-ground store managers. Ensuring that CSR initiatives are prioritized alongside traditional commercial targets requires diplomacy and persistence. Monitoring the effectiveness of anti-waste programs across nearly 1,000 stores in France involves significant data management challenges. You will need to be meticulous in tracking results and identifying locations that may require additional support or training to meet sustainability goals. Balancing innovation with feasibility is also a key hurdle. Not all innovative CSR trends are easily applicable to the high-speed, high-rotation environment of travel retail, so you must critically assess which projects will truly add value and can be realistically scaled.

Q: How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a coordination meeting with product managers to discuss the selection criteria for a new sustainable product range. This would be followed by a deep dive into sales data or waste tracking spreadsheets to assess the performance of ongoing CSR initiatives. In the afternoon, you could shift to creative and operational tasks , such as reviewing the proofs for new eco-friendly signage or drafting a best-practice guide for store managers on how to reduce waste. This requires switching between analytical work and communication activities. You might end the day conducting market intelligence , researching how other global retailers are implementing circular solutions. This constant mix of strategic planning, data analysis, and operational support ensures that no two days are exactly alike.

Q: The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will serve as a central hub between headquarters and points of sale . Internally, your main counterparts will be the Merchandising and Purchasing teams to ensure products align with CSR criteria, and the Operations teams who implement these strategies on the ground. Externally, you will interact with supplier partners and specialized agencies . This includes working with marketing agencies for POS materials and coordinating with providers of anti-waste solutions (such as food redistribution apps or specialized recyclers). You will also report to the Business Development Unit heads , providing them with the data and justifications needed to incorporate CSR into the company’s broader commercial strategy. Effective communication with these high-level stakeholders is key to securing project buy-in.

Question 1

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Accepted Answer

The successful apprentice will focus on the operational coordination of CSR product offers across various retail segments including food service and travel essentials. This involves collaborating with merchandising and product experts to develop sustainable ranges and follow up on their deployment. Key responsibilities include managing anti-waste programs and creating operational guides for points of sale. You will also handle the production of specialized marketing materials and point-of-sale displays while monitoring sales performance to evaluate the success of CSR innovations. Additionally, you will conduct strategic intelligence and monitoring of new innovative trends in sustainability. By organizing follow-up meetings with stakeholders, you ensure project milestones are met and internal communication remains aligned with the company’s broader CSR strategy.

Question 2

Key learning opportunities for this job

Accepted Answer

This role offers significant exposure to circular economy practices within a high-volume retail environment. You will learn how to integrate sustainability into a commercial business model, moving from theoretical CSR strategy to practical, operational implementation at the store level. You will gain technical expertise in sustainable procurement and merchandising, specifically regarding the development of green product ranges and the management of food waste. Working within a large corporate structure like Lagardère allows for learning professional project management methodologies and cross-functional coordination skills. Furthermore, you will develop a deep understanding of sustainable marketing communication. This includes mastering the nuances of environmental labeling and ensuring that CSR messaging is effectively communicated to travelers through digital and physical point-of-sale supports.

Question 3

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

Accepted Answer

The ideal candidate is a Master-level student from a top-tier Business School with a specialization in Marketing or Sustainability. You should demonstrate a genuine interest in corporate social responsibility and have the ability to translate complex environmental goals into commercial actions. Technical proficiency in Excel is mandatory, as the role requires tracking sales performance and project advancements. Since you will be interacting with various departments and possibly global teams, operational English and excellent interpersonal skills are essential for the coordination aspects of the job. Strong organizational and analytical skills are paramount to manage multiple project threads simultaneously. The company values candidates who are autonomous yet social, capable of adapting to a fast-paced retail environment while maintaining high standards of rigor in project execution.

Question 4

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Accepted Answer

To stand out, highlight any previous experience where you managed cross-functional projects or worked in a retail setting. Showcasing your ability to bridge the gap between marketing objectives and sustainability requirements will demonstrate that you understand the job's commercial-CSR duality. Prepare to discuss specific innovation trends in Travel Retail or food waste management during the interview. Demonstrating that you have researched Lagardère’s 'PEPS' program will show your commitment and prove that your values align with their existing ESG framework. Quantify your previous achievements where possible, such as improvements in operational efficiency or successful outreach campaigns. Since the role requires rigor and organization, ensure your resume and cover letter are perfectly structured and highlight your proficiency with data tools like Excel.

Question 5

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

Accepted Answer

The role specifically targets circular economy and waste reduction, particularly through the development of anti-waste programs in the food service and essentials sectors. This is likely a key pillar of the company’s strategy to reduce its operational environmental footprint. There is also a strong focus on responsible product offerings. You will be helping to redefine the retail catalog by introducing products that meet specific social or environmental criteria, thereby influencing the supply chain and consumer behavior at airports and stations. Finally, the role focuses on stakeholder engagement and transparency. By developing guides for store staff and clear communication for travelers, you ensure that the company's CSR commitments are translated into visible, transparent actions that engage both employees and customers.

Question 6

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

Accepted Answer

One of the primary challenges will be the operational coordination between diverse departments like purchasing, merchandising, and on-the-ground store managers. Ensuring that CSR initiatives are prioritized alongside traditional commercial targets requires diplomacy and persistence. Monitoring the effectiveness of anti-waste programs across nearly 1,000 stores in France involves significant data management challenges. You will need to be meticulous in tracking results and identifying locations that may require additional support or training to meet sustainability goals. Balancing innovation with feasibility is also a key hurdle. Not all innovative CSR trends are easily applicable to the high-speed, high-rotation environment of travel retail, so you must critically assess which projects will truly add value and can be realistically scaled.

Question 7

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

Accepted Answer

A typical day might begin with a coordination meeting with product managers to discuss the selection criteria for a new sustainable product range. This would be followed by a deep dive into sales data or waste tracking spreadsheets to assess the performance of ongoing CSR initiatives. In the afternoon, you could shift to creative and operational tasks, such as reviewing the proofs for new eco-friendly signage or drafting a best-practice guide for store managers on how to reduce waste. This requires switching between analytical work and communication activities. You might end the day conducting market intelligence, researching how other global retailers are implementing circular solutions. This constant mix of strategic planning, data analysis, and operational support ensures that no two days are exactly alike.

Question 8

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

Accepted Answer

As an apprentice within a global leader, you are well-positioned for a permanent Junior CSR or Marketing role upon graduation. The experience of working at the intersection of business development and sustainability is highly sought after in the current retail job market. Internally, the Lagardère group offers a dynamic ecosystem with various business units (Travel Essentials, Foodservice, Duty Free). Success in this role could lead to lateral moves into international project management or more specialized ESG roles within the global sustainability team. You will also build a robust professional network consisting of buyers, marketing experts, and sustainability leaders. This network, combined with the practical experience of deploying a national-scale CSR offer, provides a strong foundation for a career in corporate sustainability leadership.

Question 9

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Accepted Answer

You will serve as a central hub between headquarters and points of sale. Internally, your main counterparts will be the Merchandising and Purchasing teams to ensure products align with CSR criteria, and the Operations teams who implement these strategies on the ground. Externally, you will interact with supplier partners and specialized agencies. This includes working with marketing agencies for POS materials and coordinating with providers of anti-waste solutions (such as food redistribution apps or specialized recyclers). You will also report to the Business Development Unit heads, providing them with the data and justifications needed to incorporate CSR into the company’s broader commercial strategy. Effective communication with these high-level stakeholders is key to securing project buy-in.

Assistant Chef de Projets Développement RSE & Innovation

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