Hermès Head of Expertise and Craftsmanship — Metal Components
- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Manager
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- May 4, 2026
About Hermès
Hermès Manufacture de Métaux (HMM) is the specialized metalwork arm of Hermès, dedicated to producing high‑quality metal components that support the Maison's leather goods, accessories and watchmaking activities. As part of the Hermès group, HMM combines artisanal know‑how with industrial rigour and places enduring craftsmanship and product excellence at the centre of its operations.
Hermès Manufacture de Métaux in Fontenay‑sous‑Bois seeks a Head of Expertise and Craftsmanship (Metal Components) to lead metalwork standards and artisan communities.
Role & Responsibilities
- Create, convene and animate the group's community of metalwork experts and custodians of savoir‑faire.
- Define, validate and maintain technical standards and documentation required for manufacturing, repair and evolution of metal parts.
- Provide structured technical support and decision‑grade advice to central and local manufacturing teams, quality and leadership bodies.
- Conduct field audits and observations to identify deviations, capture best practices and measure application of savoir‑faire rules across sites.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to raise quality, lead time performance and the technical capabilities of artisans.
- Assess tooling and machinery needs; define achievable technical limits consistent with the Maison’s know‑how.
- Participate in competitive analysis with the technical community to benchmark processes and materials.
- Contribute to internal KPI construction and tracking, propose corrective actions and support polyvalence development among teams.
Qualifications
- Minimum 10 years' demonstrable experience working with metal parts in luxury sectors (metalwork, watchmaking, fine accessories).
- Proven authority and credibility in metal fabrication techniques and artisan practices.
- Ability to present objective, synthesis‑driven recommendations to executive and operational stakeholders.
- Leadership, autonomy and strong interpersonal skills; experience animating specialist communities and driving change.
- Excellent oral and written communication; skilled at adapting messages for CODIR, directors, service managers and artisans.
- Pragmatism, rigorous preparation of meetings and decisions, with a service mindset and team orientation.
- Frequent travel to manufacturing sites is required.
Skills
Experience
At least 10 years’ experience in the design, manufacture or industrialisation of metal components within luxury goods or watchmaking; demonstrated record of technical leadership and experience working alongside artisan workshops.
Education
Engineering degree or higher technical diploma in materials science, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering or horology; advanced vocational qualifications or significant hands‑on craftsmanship experience will be valued.
Workplace
The role is situated in Fontenay-sous-Bois, Île-de-France, France — conveniently close to Paris.
Culture
HMM operates within the Hermès ethos of meticulous craftsmanship and long‑term stewardship of savoir‑faire. The workplace culture privileges artisan excellence, cross‑disciplinary collaboration and respect for heritage, combined with a pragmatic focus on continuous improvement and responsible business practices.
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 Hermès, 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 «Expertise & Craftsmanship Manager (Metals)», «Metals Craftsmanship Lead», «Technical Heritage Manager — Metal Parts», «Senior Metalwork Specialist», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.