Jaeger LeCoultre Product Development Project Manager
Jaeger‑LeCoultre — Le Sentier: Product Development Project Manager role overseeing watch new‑product introduction and industrialisation.
Overview
Jaeger‑LeCoultre is a prestigious Swiss manufacture renowned for its technical mastery and haute horlogerie. As a maison within the Richemont group, it combines artisanal savoir-faire with advanced engineering, producing both in‑house movements and fully finished timepieces. The brand is acknowledged for its emphasis on innovation, precision and internal craftsmanship.
Role & Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate end‑to‑end product development projects from concept validation through industrialization and launch, ensuring schedule, technical and cost targets are met.
- Define project plans, milestones, resource requirements and budgets; monitor progress and escalate risks to senior stakeholders.
- Act as the central interface between design, R&D, prototyping, industrialization, quality, procurement and manufacturing teams to ensure technical requirements and tolerances are respected.
- Manage external suppliers and prototyping partners: tendering, technical specifications, follow‑up of tooling, samples and corrective actions.
- Maintain and update product documentation within PLM/BOM systems, ensure change control and release to production.
- Coordinate testing and validation campaigns (functional, reliability and assembly/process validation) and ensure compliance with internal quality standards.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to manufacturability, cost optimisation and time‑to‑market for new references.
Qualifications
- Degree in mechanical engineering, microtechnology, industrial design or an equivalent watchmaking qualification (e.g., WOSTEP).
- Proven experience managing product development or NPI projects in watchmaking, precision mechanics or closely related industries (typically 3–5 years).
- Strong technical understanding of movement architecture, components, materials and manufacturing processes.
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate cross‑functional teams and manage external suppliers through prototyping and industrialisation phases.
- Familiarity with PLM/BOM procedures and product release/change control.
Skills
Experience
Minimum 3–5 years of hands‑on experience in product development or new‑product introduction within watchmaking, precision mechanics or related industrial sectors, with a track record of delivering references to production and managing cross‑functional stakeholders.
Education
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Microtechnology, Industrial Design or an equivalent professional watchmaking diploma (e.g., WOSTEP); project management certification is an advantage.
Workplace
This position is based in Le Sentier, Vaud, Switzerland, within easy reach of Lausanne. Cerulean lists 13 open roles in Le Sentier, including 3 posted recently. The broader Vaud area accounts for 66 active listings on Cerulean, 7 of which are new. In Switzerland as a whole, Cerulean currently features 738 open positions, with 34 posted this week.
Culture
Jaeger‑LeCoultre combines centuries‑old watchmaking craftsmanship with a culture of technical excellence and innovation. The workplace values meticulous attention to detail, collaborative problem‑solving across disciplines and a strong commitment to maintaining in‑house savoir‑faire.
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.