Audemars Piguet Service Workshop Manager
- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Senior
- Industry
- Fine Watches & Horology
- Posted
- Aug 12, 2026
About Audemars Piguet
The brand is a prestigious entity within the luxury fashion sector, renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship and innovative designs. As part of a leading global luxury group, it offers unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and development in a dynamic and sophisticated environment.
Audemars Piguet seeks an experienced Service Workshop Manager in Shanghai to lead technical teams and drive luxury watch service excellence.
Role & Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor Workshop Team Leaders, overseeing their professional development through regular one-on-one coaching sessions focused on management skills, conflict resolution, and feedback delivery
- Design and implement talent succession planning frameworks that cultivate advancement pathways from apprentice-level technicians to senior watchmakers, aligned with annual People Development Plans
- Establish and oversee performance management systems for technical staff, conducting meaningful career discussions and implementing retention strategies for key personnel
- Cultivate a workshop culture centered on precision, patience, and perfection through technical symposiums, craftsmanship forums, and informal engagement with team members to address well-being and reduce turnover
- Serve as the primary interface between the service center and cross-functional departments, including client-facing boutique teams, parts and logistics, and training centers at headquarters
- Represent the technical team in client communications regarding complex restoration cases and warranty complaints, transforming escalations into learning opportunities for continuous improvement
- Act as brand ambassador, conveying the manufacture's watchmaking philosophy and restoration artistry to VIP clients, media, and visitors, embodying professional excellence
- Establish and monitor core operational key performance indicators such as lead time, return rate, and per-technician output; approve resource deployment decisions including overtime and external support
- Oversee implementation and continuous auditing of end-to-end quality control systems; review quality data and performance trends with Workshop Leaders to ensure adherence to brand standards
- Ensure workshop compliance with safety protocols, 5S methodology, equipment integrity, and environmental protection standards through periodic assessments and coaching rather than directive oversight
- Empower Workshop Leaders to make independent operational decisions within their authority; provide coaching support when required and monitor progress on key initiatives
Qualifications
- Minimum 10 years of hands-on experience in high-end service operations involving complex mechanical systems
- Minimum 6 years of direct experience leading technical teams using contemporary management frameworks such as MBO and performance review dialogues
- Fluency in Mandarin Chinese and English, with proficiency in written and verbal communication for coordination with Swiss manufacture headquarters and international technical partners
- Advanced listening and interpersonal skills with demonstrated empathy and ability to navigate dynamics between demanding clients and technical staff
- Deep understanding of luxury service delivery and the relationship between technical outcomes and client perception in haute horlogerie
- Background in precision mechanics, horology, or related technical field; or executive management education from an accredited business school
Skills
Experience
Minimum 6 years of leadership experience managing technical teams in luxury service environments, coupled with 10+ years of hands-on experience in high-complexity mechanical service operations. Demonstrated mastery of contemporary management methodologies and proven ability to balance operational excellence with talent development and retention in a high-precision industry context.
Education
Background in precision mechanics, horology, or a related technical discipline is preferred. Alternatively, executive education in management or organizational leadership from a recognized business school is advantageous.
Workplace
This position is based in Shanghai, Shanghai, China.
Benefits
Competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package.
Culture
The brand fosters a culture of excellence and innovation, where creativity and individual contributions are highly valued. Employees are encouraged to pursue personal growth and are supported in their professional development within a collaborative and inclusive environment.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Audemars Piguet, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Technical Service Director», «Repair Workshop Lead», «Service Operations Manager», «Technical Team Director», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.