Gaëlle, aged 30
Facial Care Divisional Manager

« Having your head in the cloud...
while remaining level-headed»

What is your job in the Group
and what does it entail?

I work for the Yves Rocher brand as Facial Care Divisional Manager. Within the International Marketing Department, I am in charge of the marketing strategy of five product ranges, in France and abroad.
My job involves both drawing up and implementing the product plan. In my department, we launch around 20 new products a year. I coordinate three Product Managers in the operations management of their ranges, as well as monitoring and analysing trends and the market to support product innovation.

How do you actually organise your days?

For this job, being forward-thinking is key, to encourage the emergence of new ideas in line with women’s expectations.
I take time each day to monitor new trends, new product concepts and communication trends, in cosmetics but also in other sectors.
Then my team and I work on the operational development of products. So it’s all done at a very fast pace! At every stage of product development, we need to make sure that the product remains very attractive despite technical constraints, and we keep to the scheduled launch date.

What is your training and what positions have you had in the Group since you joined ?

I am an Edhec graduate. I joined the Group in March 2000. I worked my way up the ladder from Assistant Product Manager to Senior Product Manager, then Divisional Manager.

What do you like most about this job?

Innovating! For that, you need to have your head in the clouds… while remaining level-headed, Everyone contributes to making the Group brands even more desirable and up to date.
Here, whether or not you are senior, if you have a good idea, it can become reality. For me, that’s the key to everything. I love that pioneering spirit: having convictions and being fearless.

What advice would you give to young graduates who would like to do this job?

Go into a store or on the internet and ask yourself: “what can I contribute to the brand tomorrow?” If you have lots of ideas and can relate to the brand, apply!
The Yves Rocher group is known for being a real “development school”. We develop around 150 new products a year for the Yves Rocher brand, which gives newcomers a rare degree of autonomy in a product development job.