Yves Saint Laurent Men's Ready-to-Wear Development Manager

About Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent stands as one of fashion’s most influential maisons, renowned for redefining modern elegance through audacity, precision, and cultural intelligence. As an employer, the House offers a dynamic environment where heritage and innovation meet, inviting talent to contribute to a legacy shaped by creativity, craftsmanship, and a distinctly Parisian spirit. Employees are encouraged to pursue excellence across design, retail, merchandising, communications, and corporate functions, within a culture that values individuality, rigor, and forward-looking vision. Joining Yves Saint Laurent means participating in the continued evolution of an iconic brand whose influence extends far beyond fashion.

Role & Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Design Studio and Coordination team to translate creative concepts and visions for men's collections into actionable development strategies
• Convert design ideas into detailed technical specifications, including fabric selection, trims, colorways, patterns, and construction methods
• Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers and manufacturers for men's ready-to-wear development
• Manage the complete development timeline to ensure strict adherence to deadlines and project milestones
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with Design, suppliers, manufacturers, and internal and external partners
• Coordinate with suppliers and manufacturers to obtain samples, prototypes, and production pieces
• Ensure seamless information flow regarding development progress to procurement teams and internal stakeholders
• Attend fit sessions and provide constructive feedback to the design team for necessary modifications and refinements
• Partner with the Costing and Production teams to optimize manufacturing efficiency and cost-effectiveness
• Monitor and guarantee the quality of men's samples, identifying and resolving issues promptly
• Stay informed on industry trends, market demands, and emerging technologies relevant to menswear development
• Maintain comprehensive documentation and records of the men's development process
• Provide weekly budget consolidation and communication of financial progress
• Monitor daily deliveries and coordinate follow-up activities with the development team
• Manage and lead a team of approximately 10 Product Developers, Technicians, and Coordinators
• Develop key garment typologies including tailoring, sportswear, and loose-fitting shirts
• Oversee the launch and delivery of reset collections, press samples, VIP, and influencer orders
• Conduct analyses and prepare historical reports to inform future collection development

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Textile Engineering, or a related discipline
• Extensive hands-on experience in ready-to-wear development within the luxury and fashion sectors
• Deep knowledge of fabric types, garment construction techniques, and tailoring methodologies
• Exceptional attention to detail and strong quality control sensibility
• Advanced project management capabilities with proven ability to prioritize and manage concurrent initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments
• Excellent internal and external communication skills with strong collaborative mindset
• Proficiency with design and development software, including ESKER systems, Adobe Creative Suite, and PLM platforms
• Fluency in French and English; Italian language skills are advantageous

Skills

Experience

Substantial proven experience in ready-to-wear development within the luxury and fashion industry, demonstrating a mastery of fabric types, garment construction techniques, and attention to detail combined with strong project management capabilities.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Textile Engineering, or related field

Workplace

Culture

Yves Saint Laurent fosters a bold, creative, and fast-paced workplace where teams are encouraged to challenge convention while upholding the Maison’s legacy of elegance and modernity. As an employer, it values artistic vision, collaboration, and excellence, offering an environment where talent can contribute to a globally influential luxury brand with a distinctive Parisian spirit.

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.