Introduction to luxury operation interviews: what you need to know
This guide explains how operations roles in luxury connect product creation to client experience and profit. Learn how to speak about planning, supply and retail execution using the right metrics.
How luxury operations differ
Brand protection with commercial rigor
Luxury operations defend scarcity and storytelling while achieving targets. Expect to discuss how you balance margin, availability and exclusivity without diluting brand equity.- Assortment and OTB: build buys by story, attribute and door cluster, not only by sales rank
- Pricing and margin: IMU, GM%, contribution, and markdown governance that preserves positioning
- Distribution control: limited doors, allocation rules and client priorities over pure volume
Planning and allocation
Translate creative intent into quantifiable plans and inventory flows.- Key KPIs: sell‑through, WOS, cover, stock‑to‑sales, RTV, shortage rate
- Allocation logic: initial allocation vs replenishment, size curves, transfers and chase strategy
- Seasonality: capsule launches, fashion vs carryover, end‑of‑season exit plans
Supply chain and logistics
Lead times are longer and quality gates stricter. Show how you protect client experience while optimizing flow.- Constraints: craftsmanship capacity, compliance, CITES, export controls, security
- OMS and omnichannel: BOPIS, ship‑from‑store and client order prioritization without floor starvation
- Damage and returns: boutique standards, RTV processes and resale value protection
Digital and e‑commerce in luxury
Deliver a luxury feel online: curation, white‑glove service, controlled availability.- KPIs: conversion, AOV, return rate, availability, content velocity, page depth
- Experience: consultative PDPs, appointment booking, live clienteling, packaging and delivery promises
- Tech stack: familiarity with ERP, OMS, WMS, PLM and analytics tools
Governance and compliance
Know internal controls: inventory accuracy, cash handling, anti‑fraud, and sustainability reporting.What interviewers test
- Case studies: assortment build, OTB, allocation or e‑commerce diagnosis
- Analytical depth: excel or whiteboard math, sensitivity analysis and trade‑offs
- Cross‑functional drive: partnering with retail, supply, VM and finance
Preparation checklist
- Metrics fluency: be ready to define and compute ST%, WOS, GM%, IMU, MD%
- Case practice: simple OTB, allocation by door cluster, and sell‑through recovery plan
- Tool familiarity: SAP/Oracle ERP concepts, OMS flows, basic SQL or analytics comfort
- Store walk: observe assortment depth, VM storytelling and stock availability versus demand
Questions to ask
- What KPIs matter most for this team in the next 6 months
- How do you balance exclusivity with availability across channels
- What are current supply constraints and how are they addressed
