Alteration Development Manager

Overview

Chanel is an independent French maison renowned for its couture, ready-to-wear, leather goods and accessories, and beauty lines. As an employer, the brand combines exacting artisanal standards with global retail and production networks, offering roles that intersect heritage craftsmanship and contemporary product-development practice.

Role & Responsibilities

• Define and implement alteration standards and protocols across ready-to-wear and bespoke collections to ensure consistent fit and finish in line with maison quality.
• Lead development of alteration processes, patterns and technical specifications in collaboration with Product Development, Pattern Makers and Atelier teams.
• Manage relationships with in-house ateliers, external suppliers and retail alteration teams to coordinate turnaround times, costs and escalation of complex cases.
• Establish and maintain alteration documentation, work instructions and training materials for retail and atelier personnel; deliver hands-on training when required.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives (fit trials, root-cause analysis, corrective actions) to reduce rework, control cost and enhance client satisfaction metrics.
• Oversee alteration capacity planning and budgeting for development projects and seasonal peaks; monitor KPIs and report status to senior stakeholders.
• Provide technical support for bespoke and high-value pieces, advising on construction, materials, and couture finishing techniques to preserve design intent.

Qualifications

• Proven technical background in garment construction, pattern making or tailoring, typically evidenced by a degree or diploma in Fashion Design, Textiles or a related discipline.
• Strong knowledge of couture and ready-to-wear construction techniques, alteration methods and fit engineering.
• Demonstrable leadership experience coordinating cross-functional teams (product, ateliers, retail) within a luxury or high-end fashion environment.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a methodical approach to quality control and continuous improvement.
• Fluency in MS Office; familiarity with PLM or pattern-making CAD systems preferred.

Skills

Experience

Several years (typically 5+) of progressive experience in garment development, tailoring or alterations within luxury fashion or couture ateliers, including experience managing suppliers and cross-functional projects.

Education

Degree or advanced diploma in Fashion Design, Textiles, Garment Technology or a related field; vocational tailoring or pattern-making credentials are advantageous.

Culture

Chanel places a premium on artisanal excellence and meticulous attention to detail, fostering a workplace where craft and creativity are paramount. Teams operate within a structured, quality-driven environment that values heritage techniques while encouraging technical innovation.