Knitwear Collection Manager
Chanel — Paris: Knitwear Collection Manager role overseeing development and production of luxury knitwear collections.
Overview
Chanel is an iconic French luxury fashion and beauty house with a global presence, renowned for its haute couture, ready-to-wear, accessories and fragrance divisions. The brand is synonymous with artisanal craftsmanship, refined creativity and rigorous quality standards, offering a workplace that values design excellence and meticulous attention to detail.
Role & Responsibilities
- Lead the end-to-end development of seasonal knitwear collections, from concept and design translation through to production readiness.
- Collaborate closely with Creative Direction, design teams and technical studios to ensure aesthetic fidelity and technical feasibility.
- Manage yarn sourcing, material specification and supplier relationships to secure quality inputs that meet luxury standards.
- Oversee pattern-making, sampling and fit sessions; drive iterative improvements to achieve correct fit, drape and finish.
- Coordinate production planning and follow-up with manufacturers and internal production teams to meet timing and cost targets.
- Control collection budgets, costing and margin analysis for the knitwear line.
- Coach and supervise cross-functional project teams and external partners to maintain delivery discipline and quality benchmarks.
- Own quality control processes and final product sign-off for all knitwear items.
Qualifications
- Proven track record in knitwear development within a luxury fashion house or high-end ready-to-wear brand.
- Deep technical knowledge of knit constructions, yarns, hand and machine techniques and patterning specific to knitwear.
- Demonstrated ability to manage suppliers, lead fit and sampling cycles, and drive product to production on schedule.
- Strong commercial understanding including costing, margin control and production constraints.
- Leadership experience with the capacity to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
- Degree or equivalent background in fashion design, textile engineering or a related discipline; practical industry experience may substitute.
Skills
Experience
Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in knitwear development or product management within luxury or premium fashion; experience leading projects or small teams is expected.
Education
Degree in fashion design, textile engineering, or equivalent professional experience.
Culture
Chanel cultivates a culture of uncompromising craftsmanship and creative excellence, blending traditional atelier savoir-faire with contemporary innovation. The workplace emphasizes collaborative problem-solving, high standards of quality and a commitment to preserving the brand’s aesthetic heritage.