Hermès Materials Development Manager

About Hermès

This prestigious fashion house, renowned for its timeless elegance and innovative designs, is a part of a leading global luxury conglomerate. The brand is committed to excellence and offers a dynamic environment where creativity and business acumen are equally valued.

Role & Responsibilities

• Pilot materials development projects and oversee transition to production, responding to creative briefs from the Studio and Design & Creation teams whilst maintaining Hermès quality standards
• Manage project timelines across the portfolio and ensure transparent communication with all stakeholder teams (Design, Purchasing, Quality, Production) and senior management
• Conduct robust qualification of materials and transformation processes by collaborating with external suppliers and internal teams, while anticipating and mitigating industrial challenges during the development phase
• Transfer materials development dossiers to production teams and support the transition through pre-series and necessary adjustments
• Develop and deploy a materials development strategy that balances creative abundance with artisanal heritage and brand know-how
• Establish monitoring tools and analytical frameworks to track activity by collection, project, and supplier type
• Consolidate and analyse operational data to drive strategic decision-making and monitor performance across the portfolio
• Explore the market for material finishes and natural substances, identifying emerging transformation techniques, novel or hybrid materials, and exceptional craftsmanship to propel future collections
• Propose new materials, techniques, and artisanal expertise to address group-wide strategic priorities
• Maintain strong relationships with the Design & Creation leadership and manufacturing division to anticipate needs, challenges, and operational risks
• Champion the Materials Innovation Division's vision across all stakeholders and serve as a thought leader on transformed materials offerings
• Amplify project visibility within the leather goods and saddlery métier and across the broader Hermès organisation
• Foster close working relationships with peers in complementary business units

Qualifications

• Master's degree (Bac+5) from an engineering or business school
• Minimum six years of professional experience demonstrating success in managing diverse, complex projects
• Pronounced sensitivity to materials and strong interest in fabrication processes and artisanal techniques
• Proven leadership capability and ability to align and mobilise cross-functional teams around project objectives
• Dynamism, agility, strategic assertiveness, and intellectual acuity
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments
• Outstanding analytical and synthesis capabilities
• Willingness to undertake frequent travel across Europe

Skills

Experience

Minimum six years of professional experience in project management within luxury goods, manufacturing, product development, or a related field, with demonstrated success in managing multiple concurrent projects and liaising effectively across design, production, and commercial functions.

Education

Master's degree (Bac+5) from an engineering school or business school.

Workplace

Culture

The company fosters a collaborative and innovative culture, encouraging employees to push the boundaries of creativity while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical 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.