Head of Merchandising, Watches & Fine Jewelry (SEAA & Singapore)

Overview

Chanel is an independent French luxury house renowned for haute couture, ready-to-wear, leather goods, fine jewellery, watches and beauty. The brand combines artisanal craftsmanship with an uncompromising commitment to quality and heritage. As an employer, Chanel emphasizes creative excellence, rigorous attention to detail and a client-centric approach across its global retail and wholesale operations.

Role & Responsibilities

• Define and execute the regional merchandising strategy for Watches & Fine Jewelry across Southeast Asia & Australasia (SEAA) and Singapore, aligned with global brand directives.
• Develop seasonal assortment architecture, range plans and pricing strategies to maximise sell-through, margin and market share.
• Own regional inventory planning, allocation and replenishment policies; drive forecasting accuracy and optimise stock turns.
• Manage P&L responsibility for the category within the region, setting commercial targets and monitoring performance against KPIs.
• Lead, coach and develop a multidisciplinary merchandising team and coordinate with retail, wholesale, marketing, supply chain and finance stakeholders.
• Negotiate commercial terms and product allocations with global sourcing and flagship teams; influence product mix and launch cadence.
• Analyse sales performance, client segmentation and market trends to inform merchandise decisions and promotional activity.
• Implement omnichannel merchandising initiatives and ensure consistent brand presentation across boutiques, concessions and digital channels.
• Drive post-launch reviews and continuous improvement processes to enhance assortment productivity and client satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership capability with strong commercial acumen and decision-making skills in a regional context.
• In-depth knowledge of the watches and/or fine jewelry market within Southeast Asia and Singapore, including client profiles and competitive landscape.
• Advanced analytical ability with fluency in retail math, forecasting and KPI-driven merchandising.
• Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills; ability to influence senior internal and external partners.
• Fluent English with excellent written and verbal communication; additional regional languages advantageous.
• Willingness to travel regularly across the region.

Skills

Experience

Typically 8+ years of progressive merchandising experience with at least 3–5 years in a regional leadership role within luxury retail, ideally in watches, fine jewelry or accessories; demonstrable experience managing cross-border teams and delivering commercial growth.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Fashion Merchandising, Marketing or a related discipline; MBA or advanced degree preferred but not required.

Culture

Chanel fosters a culture of craftsmanship, discretion and creative excellence. Teams operate with high standards, close collaboration between commercial and creative functions, and a strong client-first ethic. The workplace rewards initiative, strategic thinking and respect for the brand’s heritage.