Key Responsibilities:
Product Development & Merchandising:
- Develop trend-driven jewelry collections tailored to the US market.
- Work with designers and CAD teams to ensure collections are commercially viable and manufacturable.
- Create and manage SKU plans, focusing on best-selling categories (rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, etc.).
- Coordinate sample development, ensuring designs translate well into finished jewelry.
Pricing & Costing:
- Establish competitive pricing strategies for jewelry based on US market benchmarks.
- Work with suppliers and manufacturers to negotiate costings while maintaining high-quality standards.
- Ensure the right balance between pricing, margins, and retail positioning.
- Analyze and optimize materials, labor costs, and production efficiencies to maximize profitability.
- Develop and maintain a costing sheet for all SKUs, ensuring transparency in raw material and production costs.
Vendor & Supply Chain Management:
- Manage relationships with the jewelry factory in Surat, ensuring timely production and quality control.
- Source and negotiate with vendors for metals, diamonds, and other materials to achieve cost efficiency.
- Oversee logistics, import/export compliance, and inventory management.
- Work closely with sales and retail buyers to ensure smooth order fulfillment.
Market & Sales Alignment:
- Analyze US retail trends and suggest best-selling product categories.
- Collaborate with the Sales & Marketing team to align product offerings with customer demand.
- Assist in preparing product presentations, line sheets, and pricing catalogs for retailers.
- Attend trade shows and meetings with US buyers to understand their requirements and preferences.
Ideal Candidate Profile:
Experience & Background:
- 5+ years experience in jewelry merchandising & product development for the US market.
- Prior experience with fine jewelry, lab-grown diamonds, or mass-market jewelry brands is preferred.
- Strong knowledge of pricing strategies, cost breakdowns, and profitability analysis.
- Experience working with factories, suppliers, and retail buyers.
- Familiarity with jewelry production processes (casting, setting, polishing, CAD, etc.).
Skills & Expertise:
- Strong analytical skills in pricing, market trends, and inventory management.
- Proficiency in Excel, costing sheets, and financial modeling for jewelry pricing.
- Understanding of US retail pricing structures, wholesale markups, and margin expectations.
- Ability to negotiate with manufacturers and vendors to get the best pricing.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills for buyer and supplier negotiations.
