Project Manager

The Regional Project Manager at Guerlain MEIA is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end project management of all new construction and renovation projects within the Middle East, Africa, and India (MEIA) region. This encompasses all channels, including direct-to-retail, wholesale, spa, and travel retail. This role involves strategic planning, performance analysis, and the implementation of best practices to enhance the brand image and achieve business goals. A high degree of self-determination and self-motivation is essential for this role, as it requires the ability to proactively identify opportunities for improvement, take initiative in implementing changes, and maintain a strong commitment to achieving excellence and increasing desirability at every touch point.

• Project Management:
• Oversee and lead team for all phases of boutique construction and renovation projects, from initial planning and design to final execution and handover, across all channels (direct-to-retail, wholesale, spa, and travel retail).
• Develop and manage project timelines, budgets, and resources, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Coordinate with architects, contractors, vendors, and internal stakeholders to ensure project requirements are met.
• Proactively identify and mitigate project risks and challenges.
• Ensure all projects adhere to Guerlains brand standards, quality guidelines, and regulatory requirements.
• Deliver and implement the brands image across all points of sale, including permanent, semi-permanent, pop-ups, and temporary spaces, aligning with channel-specific requirements.
• Project manage and coordinate the fit-out for new store openings and ongoing refit/refurbishment projects.
• Elevate in-store experiences through timely support and follow-up of maintenance in partnership with the construction team.
• Visual Merchandising:
• Lead and manage the visual merchandising team, providing guidance, direction, and support to ensure effective execution of visual merchandising strategies across the MEIA region and all channels.
• Collaborate with the marketing and retail teams to develop and implement visual merchandising guidelines for new constructions and renovations, adapting strategies per channel.
• Ensure visual merchandising standards are consistently maintained.
• Oversee product launches and in-store animations, ensuring seamless execution and retail excellence that aligns with the brand experience across all channels.
  
  

Job Responsibilities

• Capex & Cost Controlling:
• Develop and manage CAPEX budgets for all construction and renovation projects across all channels.
• Track project expenditures and ensure adherence to budget guidelines.
• Identify and implement cost-saving measures where possible.
• Provide regular reporting on CAPEX spending to senior management.
• Stringent review of all Purchase orders and spending whilst never sacrificing quality.
• Collaboration & Communication:
• Key contact to HQ teams in Paris and markets across MEIA.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including retail operations, marketing, finance, commercial and supply chain, to ensure projects align seamlessly with the business needs across all channels.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organization.
• Communicate project updates to all stakeholders efficiently.
• Build relationships and collaborate with global brand teams.
• Create briefs to enable clear communication with global brand teams and local suppliers.
• Liaise with the global brands team on the Middle East personalization plan.
• Supplier & Retailer Relations:
• Manage suppliers, ensuring high-quality production, meeting deadlines, and fulfilling brand expectations.
• Act as an expert in specifications, signing off technical plans, and ensuring quality assurance.
• Upskill retailers and agents in elevated execution and coach them to success.
• Liaise with retailers to get approvals and ensure the brand image is consistent.
• Implementation & Analysis:
• Conduct field visits to ensure the brand image is implemented perfectly, identify best practices, and analyze competitor activities.
• Manage all budgets and oversee the dashboards of the department.
• Strategic Planning:
• Contribute to the development and execution of retail strategies and business plans.
• Manage Retro Planning effectively, ensuring team communication and issues are identified early.
• Maintain a full calendar of previous, current, and future projects.
  
  

Profile

Bachelors degree in Design, Construction Management, Project Management, Business Administration, or a related field. Minimum of 7 years of experience in retail project management, including construction and renovation. Knowledge in Sketchup, and Autocad Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Knowledge of visual merchandising principles and practices. Familiarity with CAPEX budgeting and financial management. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Strong organizational skills. Willingness to travel within the MEIA region. Languages: English is essential. Arabic and/or French is beneficial.

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