Hermès Innovation Project Manager
- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Senior
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- May 4, 2026
About Hermès
Hermès Manufacture des Métaux (HMM) is the metals manufacturing arm of the Hermès group, specialising in high-precision hardware and components for fashion and leather goods. Operating within the Hermès ecosystem, HMM combines artisanal savoir‑faire with industrial capabilities to produce technical parts of exacting quality for the Maison and other group entities.
Hermès Manufacture des Métaux seeks an Innovation Project Manager in Fontenay‑sous‑Bois, France to lead technical design, prototyping and the Group innovation lab.
Role & Responsibilities
- Lead technical and process projects from the Group Innovation roadmap, ensuring milestone delivery and cross‑functional coordination with HMM factories and Hermès entities.
- Perform 3D design and detailed drawing production for components and assemblies; prepare formal specifications and technical documentation (notes techniques, cahiers des charges).
- Manage development of demonstrators and prototypes with internal ateliers and external suppliers; supervise design of experiments and QCD feasibility pre‑studies.
- Provide hands‑on technical support to development teams for collection requirements, including design refinement and process validation.
- Administer and operate the Group innovation laboratory: oversee access management, maintenance, consumables, budget and the FDM polymer 3D printer; foster lab skill development aligned with group needs.
- Protect technical assets through appropriate confidentiality measures, patent filings and secure recording (including exploration of blockchain for traceability).
- Conduct technological watch, communicate project outcomes, and disseminate an innovation culture across HMM and other Hermès entities while respecting confidentiality constraints.
Qualifications
- Engineering degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent, with a specialization in industrial/product design preferred.
- Minimum 6 years’ experience in project management and product development (ideally 8+ years) within engineering or manufacturing environments.
- Proven capability in end‑to‑end project management: specification writing, milestone tracking and cross‑disciplinary stakeholder alignment.
- Strong knowledge of material properties and strength, manufacturing processes and process validation methodologies.
- Familiarity with value analysis, MRP and AMDEC (FMEA) methodologies.
- Professional working proficiency in English.
- Valid driving license (permis).
Skills
Experience
Minimum 6 years’ experience in project management and product development; ideally 8+ years in mechanical design, development and industrialisation within manufacturing or artisanal production environments.
Education
Engineering degree (mechanical engineering or equivalent); specialization in industrial or product design preferred.
Workplace
The successful candidate will be located in Fontenay-sous-Bois, Île-de-France, France, with easy access to Paris.
Culture
Hermès fosters a workplace where artisanal excellence and technical innovation coexist. Teams operate within a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment that values craftsmanship, discretion and long‑term thinking; the employer emphasises ethical conduct, diversity and inclusion.
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 «R&D Project Manager», «Technical Innovation Manager», «Product Development Project Manager», «Innovation Project Lead», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.