Who we are:
Founded in Japan in 1887, Kao is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives with our high quality products and services to create a Kirei Life for all – a beautiful life that respects the needs of our consumers and customers as well as the planet. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. As a company driven by purpose and strong corporate values we pride ourselves to be listed among the World´s Most Ethical Companies since 19 consecutive years. Our corporate philosophy, the Kao Way, guides us in everything we do – acting with integrity, courageously driving innovation and treating each other with trust and respect.
The role:
You will support the German John Frieda Marketing Team in managing and developing the local product portfolio, including product launches, relaunches, and go-to-market strategy preparations. The intern will assist with market and competitor analyses, help shape brand communication across TV, print, and digital, with a focus on social media and influencer marketing. You will closely collaborate with the national brand team and external agencies.
The role can be undertaken either as a full-time internship or as a working student position (20 hours/week), with a contract duration of 6–12 months, an ideal start date of August 2026, and is based in our Darmstadt office with a hybrid working model.
What you will do:
- Assist with Product Launches and Relaunches: Help manage the introduction and reintroduction of products to the market.
- Conduct Market and Competitor Analysis: Analyze market trends and monitor competitors to support marketing efforts.
- Help Develop Brand Communication: Assist in creating content and strategies for advertising and social media.
- Manage Social Media Accounts: Oversee the content and engagement on company social media profiles.
- Collaborate with cross-functional Teams and Agencies: Work closely with internal teams and external partners to ensure alignment.
What you will need:
- Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's (4th semester or higher) or Master's program in marketing, business administration, or communication
- Focus on marketing, brand management, digital marketing, or communication strategies
- Relevant coursework in product marketing, social media, or market analysis
- Academic background with strong analytical and communication components
- Minimum 6 months to 1 year of internship and/or working student experience in the FMCG industry (marketing, brand management, or digital marketing), with relevant experience in the beauty sector considered a plus.
- First hands-on experience with product launches, relaunches, or go-to-market strategies.
- First practical experience in social media management, influencer marketing, or content creation.
- Conducted market or competitor analyses in previous roles.
- Fluent in both German and English, both spoken and written
- Strong proficiency in MS Office (PowerPoint, Excel)
- Passion for the beauty industry and staying on top of trends
- Strong attention to detail, creativity, and problem-solving skills
- Strong teamplayer with the ability to collaborate effectively with (inter)national teams and external agencies
How we work: Having been selected among the World´s Most Ethical Companies for 19 consecutive years, we are a company with a purpose and strong corporate values. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. At Kao, each employee can actively shape their job and their career. We work collaboratively to achieve our common goals, always aiming to deliver the best for our customers.
What we offer: A friendly and flexible work environment with competitive salaries, benefits package, ongoing development and the opportunity to enhance your skills and deliver tangible results. At Kao your voice will be heard. Your opinion really counts. We believe that change comes from taking opportunities into your own hands, so we value and reward entrepreneurial thinking and innovation.
Hiring Process: Kao embraces the diversity and the individual personalities of its people because we believe it is diversity that makes us strong. This is why we welcome applications from all areas of the global community.
Want to learn more: If you feel you are as unique as our products and want to find out why 33,000 people across the globe opted for a career with us please visit https://www.kao.com/emea/en/
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What We Do
Ever since the company's founding in 1887, Kao has strived to deliver value to the life of people everywhere in the world. Today, we are a leading manufacturer in the fields of hygiene, beauty and health, while our chemical business contributes to the development of diverse industries. With more than 33,000 employees, our mission is to enrich the lives of people globally and contribute to the sustainability of the world. In the regions of Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), we focus on our Beauty Care business with premium brands in three business sectors: Consumer, Salon and Cosmetics. Our Business Sector represents skin and hair care brands that are recognized worldwide for their innovation and quality, such as Jergens, Curél, Bioré, Guhl, and John Frieda. Our Salon Business Sector is committed to unleashing the creativity of stylists around the globe. With our industry leading brands Goldwell, KMS and Oribe, stylists have everything in their hands to create beautiful show-stopping hair representative of the individuality of their clients. Our London-based boutique brand, Molton Brown, offers luxury beauty products found only in our exclusive Molton Brown stores, high-end department stores and travel retail, as well as five-star hotels around the world. All three business sectors are driven by the same values and beliefs: Creating high-quality products and constantly striving for the best is what is at the heart of everything we do. This is why we understand that our people are one of our core assets, and we strive for a working environment that allows team members to flourish and grow. Join us, and you will have opportunity to help us make life beautiful
