Head of Merchandising

Chanel, Inc.; Toronto; On-site; CAD 165,000 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness

Financial Security

Time to Recharge

Parental Support

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Professional Growth & Development

Job summary

Chanel Canada ULC seeks a strategic executive to lead Buying & Merchandising across the CA region from Toronto. You will translate global vision into local success, protect brand equity, and oversee the boutique network to deliver aligned product and sales strategies.

Responsibilities include developing the merchandising strategy, forecasting with Finance, open-to-buy management, and leading cross-functional teams to maximise commercial performance while preserving client experience.

Qualifications

• 8 to 10 years of merchandising or buying experience within luxury fashion retail.
• Significant experience participating in global buying sessions.
• Experience working with international headquarters and cross-cultural teams.
• Extensive experience across all Merchandising activities.
• An inclusive and open-minded leader.

Responsibilities

• Develop, deliver, and implement product strategy aligned with global brand values and local growth objectives.
• Define and manage merchandising strategy across markets with balanced assortments.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives with Retail, Training, Visual Merchandising to maximize opportunities.
• Build and coach a high-performing team and ensure brand messaging consistency.

Skills

Buying leadership

Merchandising leadership

Strategic planning

Cross-functional leadership

Brand equity protection

Job description

Location: Toronto Head Office, Canada Reports to: Fashion Director – Canada Contract: Full-time and permanent

Your Role @ Chanel:

We are seeking a strategic executive responsible for translating global vision into local success while protecting brand equity. The Head of Buying & Merchandising will lead and develop our team, driving business growth in alignment with our financial and brand objectives. As an ambassador for our studio’s vision, you will ensure our collections are represented across a diverse boutique network, leveraging your expertise to creatively solve challenges and deliver exceptional results. You will oversee all fashion categories throughout the CA region, developing and implementing the product and sales strategy, collaborating across multiple functions, and playing an integral role in delivering our brand’s promise.

Your Impact @ Chanel:

Develop, deliver, and implement product strategy aligned with global brand values and local growth objectives, ensuring boutique-specific adaptation and balanced assortments. Responsible for defining and executing the merchandising strategy across the markets, ensuring product assortment reflects the brand’s vision, while protecting client experience and maximizing commercial performance. Support Finance and Fashion Director with sales forecasting and strategic planning and define and manage the open-to-buy budget in collaboration with financial partners. Ensure stock KPIs are met across the business to achieve sales targets and maximise sales opportunities, overseeing all reporting and analysis related to product and sales performance. Collaborate with Boutique Directors and local teams to adapt product strategies to market needs, ensuring the right product mix, stock allocation, and consistent brand messaging per boutique. Lead and align cross-functional initiatives with Retail, Training, and Visual Merchandising to maximise product opportunities and support local launches and events. Build, coach, and develop a high-performing team, continually professional skills to drive efficiency, clarity, and innovative thinking. Represent merchandising needs in operational and IT projects, driving efficiencies and improved tools and processes across the business. Maintain a strong awareness of competitor positioning and market trends, sharing insights to inform product and sales strategies. Gain a deep understanding of business and market needs, providing feedback to regional partners and participating in business review meetings. Manage critical paths and project plans to ensure alignment, timely execution, and clear team responsibilities. Responsibilities listed are not exhaustive; additional and more detailed duties will be shared during the training stage.

You are energised by:

• Tackling a diverse range of topics and challenges, stepping outside your comfort zone to drive the business forward.
• Building and nurturing strong relationships across all functions and levels, fostering collaboration and alignment.
• Developing, coaching, and ensuring the happiness and high performance of your team.
• Creatively solving complex, wide-reaching problems and implementing effective solutions.
• Engaging confidently in challenging or contentious discussions to reach consensus and drive progress.
• Identifying risks and opportunities across boutique network.
• Understand and analyse buying behaviours and retail trends and preferences across luxury landscape.

What you can bring to the team:

• 8 to 10 years of merchandising or buying experience within luxury fashion retail.
• Significant experience participating in global buying sessions.
• Experience working with international headquarters and cross-cultural teams.
• Extensive experience across all Merchandising activities.
• Passionate about product and brand.
• Highly collaborative, adaptable, and proactive.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• An inclusive and open-minded leader.
• Inspiring presence, able to energise teams and drive creative transitions.

What you’ll gain:

A rare opportunity to shape the future of CHANEL Fashion in Canada by translating global vision into locally relevant product and merchandising strategies across a diverse boutique network. The chance to lead with influence across Buying, Retail, Finance, Training, Visual Merchandising, and boutique teams to drive alignment, elevate client experience, and maximize commercial performance. A high-visibility leadership role where you will develop a high-performing team, strengthen market insight, and make a measurable impact on business growth while protecting the equity of the CHANEL brand.

Competitive compensation:

165k-172kCAD annually + bonus

Benefits at CHANEL:

• Health & Wellness – Private medical and dental insurance, long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Plus, the option to add family members.
• Financial Security – A strong company pension plan and bonus program to help you plan for the future.
• Time to Recharge – Enjoy generous vacation days, sick leave, CSR (volunteering) days, and even a day off for your birthday!
• Parental Support – A robust global parental leave policy to support you during life’s important moments.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – 24/7 access to resources, including counseling, legal support, wellness services, and financial guidance.
• Professional Growth & Development – We are committed to your success. From mentorship programs and learning opportunities to career advancement within the company, we provide the tools and resources to help you grow *Benefits are eligibility dependent and subject to change at any time.

At Chanel, we are focused on creating an inclusive culture that nurtures personal growth, contributing to collective progress. We believe the uniqueness of each individual increases the diversity, complementarity and effectiveness of our teams. We strongly encourage your application, as we value the perspective, experience and potential you could bring to CHANEL.

CHANEL CANADA ULC. welcomes all applicants for this position. We are committed to fair and accessible employment practices. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.

Chanel is a world leader in creating, manufacturing and distributing luxury products, including Ready-to-Wear, Accessories, Fragrances, Makeup, Skincare, Jewellery and Watches. Founded by Gabrielle Chanel in 1910, the House remains dedicated to quality craftsmanship and offering high-end creations. At present, Chanel employs more than 32,000 people worldwide. As an independent company, its core values are grounded in: Exceptional creation and client experience Nurturing human potential Having a positive impact – on people, the environment and communities around the world. As part of this, the House promotes arts, culture and creativity, while investing significantly in key areas including research & development, sustainability, and innovation. Chanel is dedicated to creating the conditions for people to perform at their best, building on their strengths and enabling them to benefit from new opportunities. It offers a unique working environment where people are given time to understand the brand, the business, and develop their personal motivations. This means everyone can grow, continue to be inspired and feel included, now and in the future. The company fosters true collaboration and respect for all, grounded in the belief that diversity is essential to the success of the organisation and its people. Chanel remains committed to rewarding people competitively, as well as offering initiatives such as wellbeing programmes, learning and development opportunities, and parental leave for all parents globally.