Raw Materials Safety Manager

Overview

Chanel is an independent French luxury house operating across couture, ready-to-wear, leather goods, accessories, fragrance and beauty. Renowned for meticulous craftsmanship and a rigorous approach to quality, the brand combines heritage savoir-faire with global distribution and strong commitments to product excellence and sustainability.

Role & Responsibilities

• Define and implement the raw materials safety strategy across sourcing, R&D and manufacturing to ensure product integrity and regulatory compliance.
• Evaluate safety and regulatory status of incoming raw materials through review of Safety Data Sheets (SDS), toxicological data and supplier dossiers.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of chemical, cosmetics and transport regulations (e.g., REACH, CLP/GHS, cosmetics regulations, IFRA where applicable) and translate requirements into operational actions.
• Lead supplier qualification and audit programmes focused on material safety, traceability and conformity to specifications.
• Develop and approve raw material specifications, risk assessments and control plans in collaboration with Quality, Procurement and R&D teams.
• Manage safety incidents and non-conformances related to raw materials, including root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Deliver training and guidance to internal stakeholders (R&D, sourcing, manufacturing, quality) on material safety requirements and best practices.
• Represent the company in technical exchanges with suppliers, external laboratories and regulatory authorities when required.

Qualifications

• Degree in chemistry, toxicology, chemical engineering or equivalent scientific discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of chemical and cosmetics regulatory frameworks (REACH, CLP/GHS, EU Cosmetics Regulation and IFRA guidance where relevant).
• Proven ability to conduct toxicological and safety assessments for raw materials and to interpret SDS and technical dossiers.
• Experience conducting supplier audits and managing supplier qualification processes.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and project management skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at multiple levels.
• Fluent technical writing skills in English and French are advantageous (if applicable).

Skills

Experience

Typically 5+ years of progressive experience in raw materials safety, regulatory affairs, quality assurance or a related function within cosmetics, fragrance, chemical or consumer goods industries, including hands-on supplier assessments and cross-functional project leadership.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Toxicology, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or a related scientific discipline; Master's or equivalent preferred.

Culture

Chanel cultivates an environment of exacting standards, discretion and creativity, where craftsmanship and product excellence are central. The workplace emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration, long-term supplier relationships and a commitment to sustainability within a global luxury context.