Chanel Senior Manager, Buying – Shoes

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

• Partner with the Senior Group Director, Shoes to shape, implement, and champion the category's strategic vision and key initiatives
• Curate creative, commercially relevant assortments across eight collections annually, reflecting each collection's spirit, U.S. market needs, budget forecasts, and unique boutique opportunities
• Optimize inventory through proactive transfers, consolidations, and fulfillment of client requests
• Identify product opportunities through comprehensive analysis of competitive activity, market trends, and category performance; translate insights into clear recommendations for local and global leadership
• Lead the U.S. pricing and harmonization process for Shoes, collaborating closely with Account Management, Global Finance, Technology, and Supply Chain teams
• Partner with Visual Merchandising and Fashion Expertise teams to ensure compelling collection presentation for launches, events, and key boutique moments
• Collaborate with adjacent product-category teams to deliver a cohesive, holistic merchandising approach across the Fashion division
• Partner with Merchandise Planning to ensure business trends, client insights, and assortment strategies are accurately reflected in financial forecasts and plans
• Own Open-to-Buy (OTB) accountability and lead in-season business analysis, including the ongoing evolution of reporting tools and processes
• Develop and present buy reviews that clearly articulate assortment strategy, product rationale, and collection objectives
• Lead weekly, monthly, quarterly, and seasonal performance analyses; communicate key findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders
• Conduct ad hoc analyses to uncover new insights, identify opportunities, and inform strategic decisions
• Communicate seasonal product vision to boutique teams, inspiring confidence in bold assortments and driving engagement through effective styling and storytelling
• Build a deep understanding of the retail landscape and U.S. client by regularly spending time in boutiques and engaging directly with retail teams
• Foster an environment of open dialogue, knowledge sharing, and idea generation through regular touchpoints beyond formal buying sessions

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required
• Minimum of seven years of experience in buying or in a strategic and analytical merchandising role, with a demonstrated track record of driving business results
• Experience in fashion and/or luxury retail preferred
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint required
• Power BI experience preferred
• Strong analytical mindset with ability to independently formulate hypotheses, interpret complex data, and draw actionable conclusions
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across diverse cross-functional teams with a service-oriented mindset and ability to build influential partnerships
• Strong fashion aesthetic combined with a client-centered and commercially minded approach to product
• Ability to travel domestically for market enrichment, events, and boutique-opening support, as well as internationally for select collections

Skills

Experience

Minimum of seven years of experience in buying or in a strategic and analytical merchandising role, with a demonstrated track record of driving business results. Experience in fashion and/or luxury retail is preferred.

Education

Bachelor's degree required.

Workplace

Compensation

The base compensation for this position ranges from USD 90,000 to USD 135,000 per annum.

Benefits

Dedicated paid time off for wellbeing including 2-week August Office Closure and a Wellbeing fund; family and caregiving benefits including parental leave, fertility support, MilkStork, and Care.com Membership; generous paid time off policies including vacation, holiday, sick and volunteer days; 401(k) and other incentives; robust healthcare offerings including medical, dental, vision, MDLIVE virtual care, One Medical, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account and Employee Assistance Program; life insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Health Advocate, International Business Travel Accident & Medical, and Commuter Transit & Parking.

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.