Quality & Continuous Improvement Manager

Overview

Van Cleef & Arpels is a maison renowned for high jewellery and watchmaking, celebrated for artisanal craftsmanship and refined aesthetics. As part of the Richemont group, the brand combines heritage techniques with exacting quality standards across its ateliers and boutiques worldwide.

Role & Responsibilities

• Define, deploy and maintain the quality management system for Les Ateliers de Lyon, ensuring compliance with internal standards and applicable regulations.
• Lead continuous improvement (CI) strategy and projects across production lines using Lean, Kaizen and data-driven methodologies to raise productivity and reduce defects.
• Conduct root-cause analysis, implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and monitor effectiveness through established KPIs and dashboards.
• Coordinate supplier quality assurance activities and incoming inspection processes to secure material conformity and traceability.
• Plan and execute internal and external audits; prepare non-conformity reports and follow up on audit findings to closure.
• Coach and train workshop teams on quality standards, CI tools (5S, FMEA, SPC) and problem-solving techniques; foster a culture of continuous learning.
• Collaborate with R&D, production, sourcing and after-sales to support new product introductions and sustain serial production quality.

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering, materials science, industrial engineering or equivalent vocational qualification related to manufacturing quality.
• Formal training or certification in quality / continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, FMEA) highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of quality standards and traceability systems applicable to jewellery or precision manufacturing.

Skills

Experience

Several years of progressive experience in quality assurance and continuous improvement within luxury goods, jewellery, watchmaking, or precision manufacturing environments; proven track record of leading CI projects and managing quality systems in a workshop or production setting.

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering, industrial management, materials science or equivalent technical qualification.

Culture

The maison cultivates a workshop culture rooted in artisanal excellence, meticulous attention to detail and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Employees are expected to uphold heritage craftsmanship while embracing structured, data-led improvement practices that preserve the brand's reputation for quality.