Valentine Darques

Indirect Procurement Manager l France & Europe l GSC l MSc Management & Marketing

Lille, Hauts-de-France, France

About

Dynamic and results-oriented professional with a strong background in retail, marketing, and procurement. Currently Indirect Procurement Manager for Professional Services, Consulting & R&D at Schneider Electric, I contribute to the optimisation of sourcing strategies and supplier performance while ensuring cost efficiency and innovation. Previously Junior Category Manager at Auchan Retail, I co-managed a €120.5M business, driving growth through pricing strategy, promotions, and merchandising optimisation. I bring strong analytical and strategic skills in procurement, category management, and stakeholder management. Curious and driven, I’m passionate about creating value through data-driven decisions and cross-functional collaboration.

Experience

  • Indirect Procurement Manager at Schneider Electric
    Sep 2025 - Present · 11 mos

    Buyer for Intellectual Properties, Consulting, IT and R&D - Office Supplies & Materials

  • Auchan Retail ()
    • Junior Category Manager / Buyer
      Aug 2023 - Sep 2025 · 2 yrs 2 mos

      Seasonal Chocolate Market (Christmas and Easter) • Management of an annual turnover of €120.5 million (€96 million for Christmas, +10% vs. previous year; €24.5 million for Easter) • Management of a portfolio of fast-moving seasonal products during key periods of the year • Development of product range structure (entry-level, mid-range, premium) and associated objectives • Design and management of pricing strategy, promotions, and merchandising to maximise in-store performance • Monitoring and analysis of KPIs (sales, market share, profitability) using reporting tools and benchmarking • Management of promotional performance to optimise stock clearance during peak periods (Christmas, Easter)

    • Assistant Category Manager & Business Specialist
      Apr 2023 - Aug 2023 · 5 mos

      • Support in managing a turnover of €500 million, with a +0.2% growth vs. previous year over 5 months (€1.15 billion annually) • Management of a strategic category and its promotions, with a high constraint on freshness and daily responsiveness • Analysis of the product range positioning (price, quality, origin) to meet consumer expectations and differentiate from competitors • Adjustment of the offer based on seasons, consumption trends, and field feedback. Performance monitoring and reporting: • Analysis of key KPIs (sales, margins, shrinkage rate, penetration rate, product availability) • Production of regular reports to identify areas for improvement and propose corrective action plans • Promotion and activation of the permanent and promotional offerings • Collaboration with product managers to design and implement tailored commercial actions (promotions, displays, seasonal operations)

  • Communication Department at IÉSEG Finance
    Oct 2022 - May 2023 · 8 mos

    • Content creation and management for social media with a focus on engaging our community of 4,000 followers on Instagram • Planning and management of financial events: organising internal and external events such as conferences, workshops and meetings with finance professionals for the student experience and their network • Management of the association and financial reporting: Coordinating the association’s activities, overseeing financial management and drafting reports to ensure transparency and the efficiency of our actions • Strategic use of communication channels: maximising the reach of our publications by leveraging all available channels (social media, newsletters, partnerships)

  • Co-Founder and Secretary of TC Évent at TC Event 2020-2021
    Jun 2020 - Jun 2021 · 1 yr 1 mo

    Co-Founder and Secretary of TC Évent (Student Deals Association) • Administrative management: Coordination of official documents, organisation of meetings, and development of schedules • Writing and communication: Drafting emails and documents, taking notes, and transcribing meetings to ensure effective follow-up • Support for the communication department: Creation of flyers and Instagram posts using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Canva, contributing to reaching 900 followers on Instagram • Partnership development: Active search for 200+ sponsors and business outreach with the sponsorship department to fund and energise the association’s activities

  • Communication/Sales Intern at Boulanger
    Apr 2021 - May 2021 · 2 mos

    • Development of digital presence: Management and engagement of social media channels to increase brand visibility and engagement. • Creation and management of the Instagram account for the Wasquehal store (Lille), with a tailored content strategy. • Rapid community growth: Gained +1,000 followers and increased traffic by +30% in just one month. • Customer interaction and engagement: Creation of attractive content and responding to interactions to strengthen online customer relationships. • Customer advice and support: Offering tailored solutions in-store through active listening and the application of sales techniques (SONCAS method). • Management of transactions and operations at the checkout, ensuring a smooth and efficient customer experience. • Application of theoretical knowledge gained during training, particularly in digital marketing, communication strategy, and customer experience.