Project Manager, Ateliers d'Aurigane

Overview

Van Cleef & Arpels is a haute joaillerie and watchmaking maison renowned for artisanal finish, poetic design and meticulous handcraft. As part of the Richemont group, the brand combines traditional savoir-faire with modern production techniques across specialised ateliers and manufacturing sites.

Role & Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end project planning and delivery for atelier initiatives, including industrialisation, process improvements and production launches.
• Coordinate cross-functional stakeholders — design, production, quality, procurement and external suppliers — to ensure schedules, budgets and technical requirements are met.
• Translate creative and technical specifications into manufacturable processes and detailed technical dossiers.
• Manage supplier selection, qualification and performance for outsourced operations or component sourcing.
• Implement and monitor project timelines, risk registers and change-control procedures; report project status to senior stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives (productivity, quality and cost) and ensure compliance with atelier quality standards.
• Support prototyping, trial runs and corrective actions during ramp-up to serial production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, industrial engineering, manufacturing, materials science or equivalent technical qualification.
• Project management training or certification (e.g. Prince2, PMP) preferred.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes applicable to jewellery, watchmaking or small-part precision assembly.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and deadlines.
• Demonstrable aptitude for technical drawing interpretation and production documentation.

Skills

Experience

Several years (typically 3–5+) of project management experience within luxury goods manufacturing, watchmaking, high jewellery ateliers, or precision component production; experience with industrialisation and production ramp-up strongly preferred.

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, industrial engineering, manufacturing, materials science or equivalent.

Culture

The maison maintains a culture of artisanal excellence, where meticulous handcraft and creative expression coexist with rigorous industrial standards. Teams in the ateliers work collaboratively across disciplines, valuing technical mastery, attention to detail and respect for heritage while embracing incremental innovation.