CDI RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT PROJECT MANAGER - ARCHITECTURE (F/H/X)

Position

Within the Architecture Department, The Research & Development Project Manager will actively participate in the research and sourcing of vendors globally associated with Christian Dior Couture boutiques. He/She will be developing qualitative decorative interior finishes, freestanding furniture, and new architectural details in close collaboration with Concept Design team. Developing qualitative and functional solutions in this sector involves many individual partners, internal & external and requires a strong coordinated approach.

The R&D PM will report directly to the Team Leader R&D

Job responsibilities

THE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT PM WILL CONTRIBUTE TO :

Accompany the creative process and work in partnership with internal teams (concept design team, project development, store planning) and with contractors to ensure finishes & processes are designed for qualitative manufacture, cost efficiency and timely implementation.

Identify new supplier, innovative material and sourcing opportunities.

Initiate feasibility studies, prototyping & sampling for furniture, wall units and architectural details.

Ensure the findings are conclusive and summarized in qualitative guidelines shared with the application team. Updates and maintains readily available guidelines & material database for all concerned architectural teams.

Support the project PMs on first roll-out applications whenever necessary.

Improve reliability performance to reduce or eliminate warrantable issues, maintenance or supply chain issues.

Ensure that the activities related to this position operate in accordance with any environmental policies and procedures.

The worldwide Millwork qualification process is shared with two other team members.

Present R&D implementation progress work effectively to management and/or the architecture teams incl. application team (project development & store planning) and provide regular progress updates.

KEY ATTRIBUTES FOR SUCCESS :

Passion for design excellence & application efficiency – aims to maintain design integrity whilst ensuring practical aspects are integrated in the research and application process.

Technical skills & sitework experience

Excellent problem-solving skills & proactive approach

Excellent interpersonal communication skills

Strong ability to analyze and synthesize information

A true team player willing to roll up his/her sleeves and do what needs to be done to meet the challenges.

Profile

Minimum of 4 years of retail architecture or design experience inside a comparable international luxury brand, ideally including in depth research & development functionalities.

University Degree in Design, Interior Design or Architecture

Computer skills: All Office programs, Adobe, AutoCAD 2D, Rhinoceros 3D or Sketchup. Grasshopper would be a plus.

Fluent English & French communication, both written and oral

Additional information

Encouraging diversity in all its forms, Christian Dior Couture has been committed since 2013 to an approach in favour of the employment of people with disabilities.