Jobs at The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (SA) — What You Need to Know in 2025
Are you considering a beauty, retail, or marketing role in South Africa? The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (ELC) is a global leader in prestige beauty, with brands like Estée Lauder, MAC, Clinique, Bobbi Brown, La Mer, and others. If you want a job where creativity meets commercial strategy, where product meets people, ELC is a serious option.
In 2025, there are many opportunities—beauty advisor roles, store/brand management, promotional and counter manager positions, etc. This post walks you through actual openings, salaries, what the company looks for, how to apply, trends, and tips. Let’s get started.
Current Job Openings in South Africa
Here’s a selection of real, active roles in South Africa as of September 2025 (sourced from MyJobMag, Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor). Because many listings don’t always show closing dates, check each listing for specifics.
| Role | Location | Key Requirements | Posted Date / Closing Date* | Apply Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District Manager (Retail) | Gauteng (Johannesburg) | 5+ years in retail management; strong leadership and sales metrics; prestige beauty experience preferred | Posted “recently” (MyJobMag, Sep 2025); no deadline indicated MyJobMag+2Glassdoor+2 | MyJobMag – Estee Lauder Jobs MyJobMag |
| Beauty Advisor / Artist (173 hrs) | Gauteng (Johannesburg) | Strong makeup artistry skills; good customer service; able to work fixed hours including weekends/holidays | Posted recently; part-time/full-time mix; no specific deadline shown Indeed+2Glassdoor+2 | Indeed: Estee Lauder Jobs SA Indeed |
| Assistant Retail Manager (MAC) | Cape Town (West Cape) | Supervisory experience; ability to coach beauty advisors; stock & visual merchandising understanding | Listed in recent job posts; no certain closing date visible Glassdoor+1 | MyJobMag listings MyJobMag |
| Counter Manager (MAC & Bobbi Brown) | Gateway Mall / Edgars counters (KwaZulu-Natal) | Proven leadership in counter operations; strong sales target history; beauty brand and counter experience | Posted ~1 week ago as of early Sep 2025; deadline not always specified MyJobMag+1 | MyJobMag – Latest Openings MyJobMag |
Closing dates: Many listings in South Africa don’t show a firm closing date—apply sooner rather than later when you see an opening. Always check the exact listing.
Salary Benchmarks & Compensation Insights
Understanding what Estée Lauder pays in SA helps you gauge whether an offer or role is competitive. Data from Glassdoor, PayScale, etc. provide some ranges.
| Role / Category | Approximate Salary Range (annual, ZAR) | Notes / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Beauty Advisor / Retail Artist | R120,000 – R300,000 | Glassdoor shows Beauty Advisor jobs ranging from ~ZAR 120K to ZAR 870K for senior roles. Glassdoor |
| Education & Sales Specialist | R576,000 – R622,000 | Glassdoor estimate (mid-senior role). Glassdoor |
| VM (Visual Merchandising) Manager | R950,000 – R1,050,000 | For managerial roles with high responsibility in store design/merchandising. Glassdoor |
| Average ELC Employee Salary | ≈ R143,791 | PayScale average across roles in SA in 2025. Payscale |
These ranges vary based on experience, brand (e.g. MAC, La Mer), whether the position is full-time or part-time, whether commission, bonuses or incentive pay apply, and location (Cape Town vs Johannesburg vs Durban etc.).
South African Job Market Trends Relevant to Estee Lauder
Knowing the broader job market helps you position yourself smartly.
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High unemployment: South Africa’s unemployment remains above 30% (Stats SA) which means retail and customer-facing roles remain competitive. Prestigious brands can attract many applicants, but they also tend to offer training and benefits.
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Retail and beauty sector resilience: Even in economic slowdowns, cosmetics and beauty maintain demand (especially for prestige brands and self-care).
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Shift towards omnichannel retail: ELC and similar companies are investing in digital sales, virtual consultations, and enhanced customer experiences both in-store and online. Skills in e-commerce, digital sales, or CRM tools are increasingly valuable.
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Flexible hours and part-time opportunities: Many roles (Beauty Advisor, Part-Time, per hour counters) offer flexible schedules, which is good for students or people balancing other responsibilities.
What Estée Lauder Looks For in Candidates
To succeed in roles at ELC, these traits and qualifications tend to matter:
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Strong cosmetic or beauty product knowledge: Understanding skincare, makeup lines, fragrance etc.
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Customer service & sales orientation: Being able to hit sales targets, build relationships.
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Good communication & interpersonal skills: Interacting with customers, teams, management.
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Visual merchandising & brand representation: Especially in brand- or store-manager roles.
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Night/weekend/flexible schedules: Many retail roles require non-standard hours.
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Leadership & coaching ability: For Assistant Manager, Counter Manager, District Manager roles.
How to Apply — Step by Step
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Find the listing on a trusted platform: MyJobMag, Indeed, LinkedIn or Estée Lauder’s Careers site. (The official site is elcompanies.com → Careers.) El Companies
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Read job details carefully: Part-time vs full-time, required hours per week, contract length, expected duties.
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Prepare your CV / résumé: • Highlight any beauty/retail experience; • Include metrics like sales growth, customer satisfaction if possible. • Show relevant training or certifications (makeup artistry, skincare, product knowledge).
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Write a cover letter or statement: Show your passion: why Estée Lauder; why that brand; your customer interaction style.
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Submit via the platform with attachments. If it’s a mall-based counter, there may be in-person try-outs or auditions for artistry skills.
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Follow up: If contact details are provided, send a polite follow-up after about a week. Be professional but enthusiastic.
Pros & Cons of Working at Estée Lauder in SA
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Prestige & brand recognition – working for established luxury beauty brands adds to résumé value. | Targets & performance pressure – retail roles often have sales quotas. |
| Learning opportunities – product training, customer service, skin & makeup education. | Irregular hours – weekends, holidays, evening shifts. |
| Part-time roles & flexible hours – good for students or balancing commitments. | Lower base pay in junior roles – much income comes from commission/incentives. |
| Growth pathways – senior roles (District Manager, Assistant Manager) exist; success can lead to promotions. | Competition – many applicants, especially in bigger cities. |
FAQs
Q: How much can a Beauty Advisor expect to earn in Johannesburg?
A: Base salary for junior beauty advisor roles is likely in the R120,000-R250,000/year range, depending on hours, with additional commission or bonus boosting earnings. Glassdoor shows some beauty advisors with wide range up to ~R870,000 for very senior or managerial roles. Glassdoor
Q: Do part-time or limited hour roles pay well?
A: They generally pay less in base salary, but commission and incentives can improve total income. The hours are fewer, but flexibility can be an advantage.
Q: Are there remote or hybrid work options?
A: Most roles with Estée Lauder in SA are retail / in-store or counter-based, so physical presence is required. Corporate or marketing roles may offer more flexibility but such openings are fewer locally.
Q: What brand helps more career growth?
A: Higher prestige or innovation-oriented brands (MAC, La Mer, Jo Malone etc.) often have more training, visibility, and sometimes better commissions/benefits. Experience in these brand counters can help your career resume.
Salary Averages & Third-Party Data
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The average salary for Estée Lauder Companies Inc employees in South Africa is ≈ R143,791/year (PayScale data) across mixed roles. Payscale
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On Glassdoor, roles like VM Manager exceed R950,000-R1,050,000 annually in Johannesburg for high responsibility. Beauty Advisor roles tend to be lower, often between R120,000-R300,000 depending on brand, hours, performance. Glassdoor
Final Takeaways
If you’re looking for a job with Estée Lauder in 2025, here’s what to keep in mind:
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Retail / beauty roles are actively hiring, especially in Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal. Keep checking MyJobMag, Indeed, LinkedIn.
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Be ready with strong customer-oriented skills, artistry, sales metrics, and flexibility with hours.
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Know your brand: listing requirements differ a lot between counters and brands (MAC vs Bobbi Brown vs Estée Lauder etc.).
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Use salary data to negotiate: don’t accept just base pay—ask about bonus, commission, training, benefits.
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Apply early: many listings do not state closing dates and are filled quickly.
