Chanel Alterations Lead
- Compensation
- $80,000–85,000/year
- Department
- Manufacturing, Artisanal & Industrial Operations
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- Sep 30, 2026
About Chanel
Chanel is one of the world’s most revered luxury houses, founded by Gabrielle Chanel and distinguished by an enduring vision of elegance, freedom, and modernity. As an employer, the House brings together métiers ranging from haute couture, fashion and leather goods to fragrance, beauty, watches, and fine jewelry, offering employees the opportunity to contribute to a legacy defined by exceptional craftsmanship and creative audacity. Chanel values excellence, discretion, collaboration, and long-term development, fostering an environment where talent is nurtured and heritage is continually reinterpreted for contemporary clients. Its teams are united by a commitment to quality, innovation, and the timeless spirit of the brand.
Alterations Lead at Chanel Toronto – Lead luxury tailoring operations and team. $80–85K CAD plus bonus. Full-time.
Role & Responsibilities
- Act as guardian of CHANEL Perfect Fit, ensuring every alteration respects the original style, proportions, and creative intent of each garment
- Conduct client fittings including VIC sessions and exceptional contexts such as home, hotel, or remote appointments when needed
- Demonstrate strong tailoring expertise across standard and complex alterations, including tailored, high-end, and one-of-a-kind pieces
- Validate alteration decisions and finished work to ensure precision, quality, and consistency
- Transmit CHANEL techniques, gestures, and standards to the Atelier team through ongoing training and coaching
- Lead, support, and motivate the tailoring team in a collaborative and high-performing environment
- Organize daily priorities and allocate work according to each Tailor's skills, capacity, and deadlines
- Partner with the Operations Manager on quarterly, mid-year, and annual development conversations and identify training needs
- Coordinate all Atelier activities and ensure deadlines, quality standards, and client commitments are respected
- Monitor ACET dashboards, lead times, and alteration follow-ups to ensure accuracy and timely completion
- Ensure all team members properly perform ACET steps and use digital alteration tools to support performance and team alignment
- Maintain a clean, organized, and secure alterations room in line with operational and asset protection standards
- Manage supplies, inventory, equipment maintenance, and repair needs for the Atelier
- Monitor Atelier performance through volume, lead time, quality, client experience, and workload balance
- Collaborate with Boutique Managers and Fashion Advisors to support RTW sales, client loyalty, and exceptional service
- Transmit global alteration guidelines to the sales team and participate in collection briefings and boutique discussions
Qualifications
- Degree or strong background in sewing, tailoring, or alterations
- 6-7 years proven experience in tailoring, ideally in luxury or high-end fashion
- Strong knowledge of garment construction, fabrics, and finishing
- Experience leading, coaching, or developing a team
- Excellent client communication and refined luxury posture
- Strong organization, rigor, sense of priorities, and accountability
- Comfortable using digital tools and reporting systems
- Fluent in English
Skills
Experience
6-7 years proven experience in tailoring, ideally within the luxury or high-end fashion sector, with demonstrated expertise in both standard and complex alterations.
Education
Degree or strong background in sewing, tailoring, or alterations.
Workplace
This position is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Compensation
The base compensation for this position ranges from CAD 80,000 to CAD 85,000 per annum.
Benefits
Private medical and dental insurance, long-term disability coverage, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, company pension plan, bonus program, generous vacation days, sick leave, CSR (volunteering) days, birthday day off, robust global parental leave policy, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with 24/7 access to counselling, legal support, wellness services and financial guidance, mentorship programs, and professional development and career advancement opportunities.
Culture
Chanel fosters a culture of timeless creativity, exacting craftsmanship, and quiet excellence, where employees are encouraged to uphold the house’s heritage while contributing to its continued innovation. The workplace environment is refined, collaborative, and deeply committed to quality, offering professionals the opportunity to grow within a globally respected maison that values discretion, artistry, and long-term vision.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Chanel, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Head Tailor», «Tailoring Supervisor», «Lead Alterations Specialist», «Atelier Manager», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.