Operations Manager

Overview

Van Cleef & Arpels is a Maison of high jewellery, watches and luxury objects distinguished by artisanal savoir‑faire and poetic design. As part of the Richemont group, the brand combines heritage craftsmanship with international retail and atelier operations, maintaining exacting standards across product quality, client service and production processes.

Role & Responsibilities

• Lead day‑to‑day operational activities across ateliers, logistics and boutique replenishment to ensure on‑time delivery and impeccable product condition.
• Define and monitor KPIs for inventory, lead times, quality and cost; implement corrective action plans and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate cross‑functional workstreams with design, production, quality control, procurement and retail to align capacity and demand.
• Manage vendor and subcontractor relationships, negotiating service levels, SLAs and schedules to meet maison standards.
• Oversee inventory control, stock reconciliation and secure handling procedures for high‑value items.
• Prepare operational budgets, forecasts and periodic performance reports for senior management.
• Drive compliance with regulatory, customs and internal security protocols related to precious materials and finished goods.
• Coach and develop a multidisciplinary operations team, fostering a culture of precision, accountability and craftsmanship.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering or equivalent; advanced degree or specialised training preferred.
• Proven managerial capability with strong leadership, stakeholder management and change management skills.
• Solid commercial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasts and supplier negotiations.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement process improvements in a manufacturing or atelier environment.
• Fluency in English; proficiency in French preferred given the Geneva location.

Skills

Experience

Several years of progressive operations experience, ideally within luxury goods, jewellery, watches or high‑end manufacturing; prior responsibility for multi‑site coordination, supplier management and operational reporting is strongly preferred.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering or a related field; Master’s degree or professional certifications in operations or supply chain management is an advantage.

Culture

The Maison prizes artisanal excellence, meticulous attention to detail and a reverence for creativity. Colleagues operate in a collaborative, international environment where craftsmanship and quality are paramount, and operational roles work closely with ateliers and client‑facing teams to uphold the brand’s prestige.