Christian Dior Product Development Project Manager

About Christian Dior

Christian Dior, founded in Paris in 1946, stands as one of the world’s most influential maisons, uniting haute couture, ready-to-wear, leather goods, fragrance, beauty, and exceptional retail experiences. As an employer, Dior offers a culture shaped by artistic audacity, meticulous craftsmanship, and the pursuit of excellence, where heritage and innovation continually enrich one another. Its teams collaborate across ateliers, studios, boutiques, and corporate functions within an international environment that values elegance, precision, inclusivity, and entrepreneurial spirit. Working at Dior means contributing to a legacy of timeless style while helping define the future of luxury with creativity, discipline, and purpose.

Christian Dior Couture seeks a Product Development Project Manager to lead product development projects at an assigned production hub, coordinating pattern-making, prototyping and technical industrialization from launch through delivery. The role is full-time and permanent, based in Milan, and includes travel throughout Italy.

Role & Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate pattern-making and prototyping capacity at the assigned production hub, setting priorities and allocating resources according to workloads received from the Central Flow Manager and collection launch calendars.
• Plan and coordinate pattern-making and prototyping capacity at the assigned production hub, setting priorities and allocating resources according to workloads received from headquarters and established industrialization calendars.
• Manage the full lifecycle of product development projects, from launch to delivery, guiding validation stages and ensuring adherence to timelines and stylistic and quality specifications.
• Monitor assigned collections from development and industrialization through delivery of the finished product, functionally coordinating the teams involved and facilitating prompt resolution of issues.
• Ensure the technical dossier is prepared and approved, securing production sign-off in time to meet production setup requirements.
• Monitor raw material procurement for development stages and manage its planning for industrialization.
• Ensure all project and product development activities meet established timelines and quality standards.
• Implement centrally defined project management best practices and methodologies, identifying opportunities to improve and optimize production hub processes.
• Provide regular, detailed updates on project progress, risks, issues and production hub performance.
• Coordinate follower production hubs, ensuring smooth information transfer and alignment across production sites involved in projects.
• Work with the Central Flow Manager to define and align detailed pattern-making and prototyping plans at production hub level with the overall strategy.
• Proactively identify potential bottlenecks and implement timely solutions at production hub level to meet project deadlines.
• Serve as the strategic and operational point of contact for product development project management at the production hub, liaising with the Central Flow Manager and Central Hub/Product Development.
• Continuously monitor collection development at the production hub, proactively tracking milestones, managing delays and risks, and reporting local key performance metrics.
• Manage project risk analyses, anticipate product realization issues and guide teams in proposing innovative solutions to improve project progress and effectiveness.
• Produce reports, analyses and KPI monitoring on project progress and performance.

Qualifications

• Degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering or a related field.
• At least 5 years of proven project management experience, with strong emphasis on product development projects in highly structured industrial or manufacturing environments, preferably in luxury, such as leather goods or fashion.
• Excellent understanding of pattern-making, prototyping and industrialization processes.
• Exceptional organizational, planning and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams, influence stakeholders at different levels—including Design, Quality, Planning, Purchasing, headquarters and external suppliers—and lead production hub functions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, including the ability to proactively identify and resolve project issues and risks.
• English at B2 level or above is required; good knowledge of French is an advantage and may be required in some contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate and coach teams in a dynamic, results-oriented environment.
• Ability to translate business needs into strategic and operational action plans and address complex product development and supplier management challenges.
• Results-oriented mindset and strong problem-solving aptitude.
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills are required.
• Proficiency with project management software such as MS Project, Jira and Asana, and related tools; knowledge of 3D CAD is preferred.
• Willingness to travel throughout Italy.
• Salary of at least EUR 50,000.

Skills

Experience

At least 5 years of project management experience, particularly managing product development projects in highly structured industrial or manufacturing environments; luxury-sector experience is preferred.

Education

Degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering or a related field.

Workplace

Compensation

The base compensation for this position is EUR 50,000 per annum.

Culture

Christian Dior fosters a culture of refined creativity, exceptional craftsmanship, and continuous innovation, where teams are encouraged to uphold the Maison’s heritage while shaping the future of luxury. As an employer, it offers a dynamic and exacting environment that values collaboration, excellence, and the development of talent across artistic, retail, and corporate disciplines.

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.