Chanel Assistant Merchandising Manager

About Chanel

Chanel is one of the world’s most revered luxury houses, founded by Gabrielle Chanel and distinguished by an enduring vision of elegance, freedom, and modernity. As an employer, the House brings together métiers ranging from haute couture, fashion and leather goods to fragrance, beauty, watches, and fine jewelry, offering employees the opportunity to contribute to a legacy defined by exceptional craftsmanship and creative audacity. Chanel values excellence, discretion, collaboration, and long-term development, fostering an environment where talent is nurtured and heritage is continually reinterpreted for contemporary clients. Its teams are united by a commitment to quality, innovation, and the timeless spirit of the brand.

Role & Responsibilities

• Participate in fashion buying cycles (6 times annually), supporting assortment selection and purchase order administration while conducting pre- and post-buy reviews with boutique teams
• Demonstrate advanced assortment planning to ensure cohesive product representation in boutiques and identify stock consolidation and transfer opportunities locally and regionally
• Balance commercial and short-term product opportunities with image-led, long-term product strategies aligned with brand positioning
• Coordinate the Open-to-Buy (OTB) planning process by managing accurate data input and validation
• Analyze buy quality in real time and provide performance insights on overall category health
• Support the Reoffer business (REV/00V) through comprehensive sales and inventory analysis with order recommendations
• Develop and execute long-term Watches & Fine Jewelry strategy including product focus, assortment planning, and in-store visibility
• Orchestrate a 360° coordination of Watches & Fine Jewelry launches, training initiatives, and client events
• Manage Watches & Fine Jewelry business operations including forecasting, stock efficiency, novelty introductions, and client strategy alignment
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with Regional Core and High-End teams to maximize business potential
• Lead product inventory management across all fashion, watches, and fine jewelry categories to achieve stock coverage objectives
• Proactively communicate collection delivery status and coordinate timely launches aligned with local events and campaigns
• Provide in-depth quantitative and qualitative analysis of product performance across all categories
• Develop comprehensive Business & Merchandising Reports (Sell-thru, inventory, OTB, monthly product reports) to support local and regional decision-making
• Align with Client Relationship Management teams prior to each buying season to co-create recruitment and retention strategies by category
• Integrate client insights into assortment planning to support qualitative recruitment and loyalty objectives
• Participate actively in internal business meetings and maintain close partnership with division stakeholders and retail teams
• Collaborate with Visual Merchandising, Training, Marketing, Communications, and CRM for coordinated collection launches and product campaigns
• Spend a minimum of 20% of time in regular boutique visits to assess opportunities, review assortments, evaluate visual displays, and address merchandising challenges
• Oversee timely markdown inventory preparation in accordance with global guidelines and coordinate markdown calendar management
• Co-lead after-sales service initiatives with boutique teams and After-Sales coordinators
• Liaise with global and regional after-sales teams to manage overseas repairs and ensure efficient lead times
• Transmit the creative vision to retail teams and cultivate their product knowledge, passion, and client service confidence
• Adapt training content to local market needs and deliver collection and product-related training to the entire retail population
• Provide ad-hoc training support as needed to strengthen retail capabilities and achieve business objectives

Qualifications

• Business degree or equivalent qualification
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel (Vlookup, Sumif, Pivot Tables) and Power BI
• Minimum 5–8 years of work experience in product or merchandising functions
• Minimum 3 years in a managerial or supervisory position
• Fashion, retail, or luxury industry background (strongly preferred)
• Category ownership mindset and ability to treat assigned categories as independent business units
• Demonstrated leadership and influence skills with ability to lead discussions and inspire teams
• Strong anticipation and planning capabilities with forward-thinking organizational approach
• Resilience and adaptability, with proven ability to thrive under pressure and manage competing priorities
• Business acumen with demonstrated ability to connect data to strategic decisions and action
• Proactive orientation with ability to anticipate business needs, risks, and opportunities independently

Skills

Experience

At least 5–8 years of professional experience in product management or merchandising functions, with a minimum of 3 years in a managerial or supervisory capacity. Experience in the fashion, retail, or luxury goods sector is highly advantageous and demonstrates familiarity with brand-driven merchandising cycles, high-touch client strategies, and premium product positioning.

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, merchandising, supply chain management, fashion, or related discipline.

Workplace

Culture

Chanel fosters a culture of timeless creativity, exacting craftsmanship, and quiet excellence, where employees are encouraged to uphold the house’s heritage while contributing to its continued innovation. The workplace environment is refined, collaborative, and deeply committed to quality, offering professionals the opportunity to grow within a globally respected maison that values discretion, artistry, and long-term vision.

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.