Head of Fashion

Job Purpose:
Leading the Fashion and W&FJ division with passion and professionalism in order to further engage employees and clients of today and tomorrow.
That leadership role should be played through clear strategic thinking (long term and data driven) and by giving priority to people development as well as by being a role model for Chanel's 'leadership attributes'

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Upholds the image of the brand
• Instills an uncompromising culture in which image comes first
• Acts as role model/ brand ambassador in terms of communication, behavior and grooming, whether with internal or external customers, thereby inspiring the teams to do the same
• Partners proactively and closely with the Visual Merchandising, Style, Retail and Product teams to ensure that window and in-boutique displays consistently reflect the essence of the seasonal collection and that boutique environment is in optimum condition in accordance with the Chanel image
• Nurtures harmonious relationships with landlords, PR, Media and local public authority if any

Leads and develops team
• Fosters a culture of collaboration and excellence in the team and ensures that team members are engaged, motivated and performing their duties in accordance with Chanel vision and mission
• Dedicates time to people development, with focus on Retail Management and, through Retail Management, Heads of Boutique, to ensure that they are able to effectively lead "self-managed" boutiques. To influence them to become inspirational leaders and brand advocates through mentoring, coaching and being positive role models
• Develops team members through identification of strengths and areas of improvement and through individual development plans, including job expansion (for example 'special projects'), job rotations or others
• Works closely with HR in making hiring decision, to retain talent and to put together succession planning in the short and long term, identifying key present and future talents.

Builds and updates divisional strategy
• Puts together, based on data driven analysis of strengths and weaknesses of the brand and market characteristics, priorities (goals and ways to achieve them) for the year and the forthcoming 3 to 5 years in all key domains (Brand, People, Clients, Financial health, and Sustainability) in line with global and regional strategies
• Strategizes the local market distribution for the future, improve the quality of distribution (location/ design/ profitability)
• Develops that strategy collectively, taking into account all inputs from within the division and from outside the division (especially Communications but also all other divisions) as well as the regional teams
• Communicates the strategy clearly to all parties concerned and address related queries
• Makes sure its execution is smooth and closely monitored by all
• Keeps updating it regularly whenever necessary and in line with execution outcome

Builds a client-centric team (with Retail, Marketing, Style and Training teams)
• Drives a client-centric culture to champion long term customer engagement
• Emphasizes to the team the importance of personalized understanding of every Elite/ High Clients' needs and expectations (lifestyle, "as a person"). Wherever possible, makes an effort to get acquainted with Elite Clients
• Ensures that the Retail Team pays adequate attention to all levels of clients, regardless of their spending, so as to grow their loyalties with and engage them to the brand for the long term
• Works proactively with the Marketing Team to analyze customer trends, visits, purchases and other behaviors. Spares no efforts to see that Clients' needs and expectations are always met, and surpassed frequently
• Sets high standards in all aspects of customer service. At all times, ensures that service provided is in line with company standards. Proactively partners with Training team to address short-comings in customer service identified through client surveys or other feedback
• Considers all client feedback and sees that all customer service complaints and/or merchandise complaints are handled expeditiously and according to guidelines
• Ensures that CRM data on each customer is captured accurately and kept up-to-date

Properly manages Merchandise & Inventory (with Product, Style and Retail teams)
• Works closely with the Product teams to ensure that each boutique is stocked with an appropriate depth and width of merchandise that is relevant to the profile of the boutique's clientele, and also upholding the philosophy of "One Boutique One Story"
- Ensure promptness in transferring in best sellers and transferring out slower moving merchandising
- Advocates collaboration between boutiques on inter-boutique stock transfers
- Proactively brainstorms with VM, Retail, Product, Marketing and Training teams on how to improve sell-through rate
• Oversees the buying process including the OTB six times a year and provides guidance to the Product team to ensure a good balance between image and commercial needs
• Encourages active participation from the retail teams during pre and post buy meetings, and mandates providing regular qualitative feedback on products to the Product Team. Supports the "buy by boutique" initiative to promote "One Boutique One Story" as well as fully capture potential of sub-seg clients
• From a product strategy point of view, reinforces, in co-operation with the Product, Style and Training teams, the inspiration of every collection and inspires the boutique team to have a positive mindset towards new products, ideas and inspirations
• Designs and develops, for each boutique, the most efficient process of getting stocks to the shop floor and to clients as quickly as possible
• Enforces procedures and processes aimed at eradicating stock losses, stock adjustments and stock discrepancies. Regularly tests and examines control processes in this area

Manages KPIs (with each direct report)
• Works with Retail Management to fulfill Service KPIs, devises strategies to bridge the service gaps if any
• With retail and Marketing teams, drives performance on a daily/ weekly/ monthly basis for the team. Analyzes variance against sales targets and take appropriate actions, including setting targets for telephone calls, appointments and follow up sessions for the team
• Liaises closely with Product and warehouse teams to ensure that the assortment and stock are at optimal levels to achieve targeted sales
• Ensures maximum sales are achieved during full price periods, and sees that the boutique team members follow reservation and mark-down policies
• Recommends and enhances commission /incentive schemes to achieve short-term and long-term Service and Sales targets
Job Description - Fashion and Watch & Fine Jewelry Division Lead

Operations Management (with Retail Management)
• Ensures each boutique maximizes staff strength according to traffic demands and trading patterns. Readily supports shortfalls or one-off special demands for manpower by attaching staff to different boutiques
• Ensures all operational procedures regarding sales, discounts, transfers, stock adjustments and all policies are followed. Partners with Finance Department to regularly review internal controls with regards to protection of company assets, and prevent losses
• Ensures daily sales and appropriate paperwork (if still needed) is accurately completed
• Reports on customer trends / demands, competitor activity and merchandise movement to Fashion Management on a regular basis

Fosters Close Partnerships
• Forms close partnerships within the division (all direct reports and beyond) and with other functions or divisions (Communications, HR, Finance, DC, IT and F&BP) to best execute and achieve business objectives

Develops Watch & Fine Jewelry Business
• Integrates W&FJ within the division (no silo) while respecting the specificities (Retail/ Marketing/ VM/ Training...) of the W&FJ product category
• Increases WFJ sales and clients penetration in Fashion through clientelling and retail efforts driving Fashion clients conversion
• Ensures constant focus on the WFJ category through leadership messages and support of the category in synergy with Fashion
• Builds J12 & Coco Crush as the iconic CHANEL WFJ must have pieces in Vietnam
• Develops the High End business of CHANEL on the mid term by:
- increasing exposure of Elite to CHANEL HJ, through events, customer trips and CRM
- recruiting and converting clients to the HJ of CHANEL
- building up a loyal client base of high end pieces collectors
• Works in close partnership with the Regional WFJ Team to define and generate strategic plans and long term roadmap