LP Commerce and Distribution

The aim of the Professional Degree in Commerce and Distribution is to train middle managers and managers capable of responding to contemporary challenges in the commercial and distribution sector, and who are immediately operational.

The professional degree is designed to be multi-skilled to ensure that students are employable in all areas of business. This course aims to develop operational and strategic expertise by analysing market needs and implementing effective sales strategies. In particular, it prepares students for the job of department or area manager, a key position in the world of distribution, offering responsibilities such as team management, sales promotion and management, and above all offering prospects for career development. This degree therefore develops all the techniques and tools of sales promotion, sales development, merchandising, team management, point-of-sale management, point-of-sale marketing, accounting and financial management, wholesale and retail trade, and the marketing of products and services. The course prepares students for managerial positions, with the acquisition of skills in team management and project management, while promoting innovation to anticipate the economic and technological changes in the sector.

Cross-disciplinary skills

• Ability to manage and supervise a team;
• Communicating and working as part of a team;
• Manage customer and sales databases
• Managing logistics processes ;
• Building your career plan ;
• Understanding internal and external communication needs;
• Expressing yourself in English in a professional environment;
• Advising the company on strategic developments;
• Write sales proposals and build sales pitches;

Subject-specific skills

• Organising and supervising daily activities, optimising stocks, managing supplies and promoting products;
• Master the tools for organising and enhancing sales areas;
• Integrating different distribution channels, both physical and digital;
• Managing and interpreting databases;
• Acting as the interface between the customer and the company;
• Carrying out comparative competitive research ;
• Manage purchasing and supplies;
• Managing human resources in the sales area;
• Control the management of departments or points of sale;
• Identifying consumer needs;

Accessible in :  work-linked training (apprenticeship or professional training contract)

Training required :

• PURPOSE (TC, GEA, GACO, etc.)
• BTS (MCO, NDRC, etc.)
• L2 AES, SEG, LEA
• Other Bac+2 and equivalent

For certain groups, a VAPP (Validation of Personal and Professional Experience) may be requested before the application is submitted, particularly for holders of professional qualifications or university diplomas (DU).

The course may be accessible under the VAE scheme once the application has been submitted.

Admission requirements :
As selective courses, Professional Licences are national diplomas, with students recruited on the basis of an application and possibly an interview. 20 to 25 places are available per academic session.

Admission is based on a review of the application (CV, covering letter, career plan, baccalaureate transcripts, Bac+2 transcripts, professional experience, VAE, VAPP, etc.).

Semester 5 (Core curriculum - 30 ECTS)

• UE 51 Fundamentals of Management and Marketing (6 ECTS)
• UE 52 Marketing of goods and services (8 ECTS)
• UE 53 Economic, social and legal environment of distribution (8 ECTS)
• UE 54 Management of distribution and commercial activities (6 ECTS)
• UE 55 Financial management of distribution and commercial activities (2 ECTS)

Semester 6 (Core curriculum - 30 ECTS)

• UE 61 Methodology, cross-disciplinary skills and preparation for professional integration (4 ECTS)
• UE 62 Sales techniques and business development (4 ECTS)
• UE 63 Retail Management (4 ECTS)
• UE 64 Tutored project (8 ECTS)
• UE 65 Business experience report (10 ECTS)

The sandwich course lasts an average of 20 weeks at the IUT and 32 weeks in the company. The total time spent on the course is 528 hours. Each student is supervised by an apprenticeship supervisor in the company and is monitored by a teaching supervisor.

Assessment method
Continuous assessment

Career opportunities
Business unit manager, department or shop manager, point of sale marketing manager, purchasing manager, sector manager, merchandising or sales strategy consultant, etc.

Sectors of activity
Commercial companies, large and small retailers, e-commerce, central purchasing agencies, companies specialising in new technologies applied to commerce, etc.

Further studies
Master's degree in Management Sciences or in general or specialised management (marketing, commerce, management, etc.).