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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jewelry Merchandiser

💰 $75,000 - $125,000

MerchandisingRetailLuxury GoodsFashionProduct Management

🎯 Role Definition

A Jewelry Merchandiser is the strategic heart of a jewelry brand's product-to-market journey. You are a unique blend of artist and analyst, curator and strategist. This role is responsible for shaping the entire product assortment, ensuring that every piece of jewelry not only reflects the brand's aesthetic but also resonates with market trends and meets financial targets. You are the critical link between the creative vision of designers, the realities of production, and the desires of the end customer. From analyzing sales data to forecast the next bestseller to collaborating with marketing on a dazzling product launch, the Jewelry Merchandiser ensures the right product is in the right place, at the right price, at the right time. It’s a dynamic, fast-paced position that demands a keen eye for detail, a deep passion for jewelry, and a sharp commercial mind.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Merchandising Assistant or Coordinator
  • Assistant Buyer / Associate Buyer
  • Allocator / Planner
  • Showroom or Jewelry Sales Specialist

Advancement To:

  • Senior Jewelry Merchandiser
  • Merchandising Manager / Director
  • Head of Buying / Director of Buying
  • General Manager of Merchandising

Lateral Moves:

  • Product Development Manager
  • Brand Manager
  • E-commerce Category Manager
  • Senior Buyer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, present, and execute seasonal and annual merchandising strategies that align with the company's financial goals, brand identity, and market opportunities.
  • Conduct in-depth analysis of sales performance, sell-through rates, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for growth within the jewelry category.
  • Curate and manage the complete product lifecycle for all jewelry collections, from initial concept and design brief through to launch, in-season management, and end-of-life strategies like markdowns or liquidation.
  • Collaborate intimately with the design and product development teams, providing data-driven insights and market feedback to guide the creation of commercially viable and brand-right newness.
  • Build and maintain balanced product assortments for various distribution channels, including retail stores, e-commerce, wholesale partners, and international markets, ensuring each channel has a tailored and effective mix.
  • Establish and manage pricing structures and promotional strategies across the product line to achieve margin targets, perceived value, and competitive positioning in the marketplace.
  • Create and manage the Open-to-Buy (OTB) budget, meticulously planning inventory investments to maximize sales and minimize excess stock while ensuring high availability of core items.
  • Partner with the marketing and visual merchandising teams to develop compelling product stories and ensure flawless execution of product launches, campaigns, and in-store presentations.
  • Perform continuous and rigorous competitive analysis, monitoring competitor assortments, pricing, and marketing activities to inform strategic decisions and maintain a competitive edge.
  • Forecast demand for new and existing products with a high degree of accuracy, working closely with planning and supply chain teams to ensure optimal inventory flow and stock levels.
  • Prepare and deliver comprehensive business review presentations to senior leadership, clearly articulating product performance, strategic initiatives, and future plans.
  • Identify, source, and develop relationships with new vendors and manufacturing partners to enhance product innovation, improve quality, and optimize costs.
  • Negotiate product costs, delivery timelines, and payment terms with suppliers to protect and enhance product margins without compromising quality standards.
  • Own the accuracy and integrity of all product information, including detailed attributes, descriptive copy, and material specifications within internal product management systems (PLM/ERP).
  • Analyze customer behavior, feedback, and purchasing patterns to gain deep insights that will directly influence future assortment planning and product development.
  • Manage the organization, tracking, and trafficking of all product samples for photoshoots, market appointments, and internal reviews.
  • Develop comprehensive training materials and product knowledge guides for sales associates to empower them to effectively sell the collections and communicate brand stories.
  • Travel to markets, trade shows, and store locations to gain firsthand insights into emerging trends, customer preferences, and the competitive landscape.
  • Oversee the strategic allocation of new products to stores and digital channels, ensuring inventory is positioned to capitalize on regional trends and demand.
  • Drive the process of building detailed line plans and assortment sheets that serve as the foundational blueprint for the buying and production process.
  • Monitor raw material costs and precious metal market fluctuations, adapting costing and retail pricing strategies as needed to protect profitability.

Secondary Functions

  • Support the marketing and PR teams with ad-hoc product data requests and assortment details for press releases and campaigns.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of merchandising processes and reporting tools to enhance team efficiency and analytical capabilities.
  • Collaborate with the e-commerce team to optimize on-site merchandising, including product categorization, filtering, and cross-selling strategies.
  • Participate in cross-functional projects aimed at improving the overall customer experience or operational efficiency.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced Microsoft Excel Proficiency: Mastery of functions like VLOOKUPs, INDEX/MATCH, pivot tables, and complex formula creation for data manipulation and analysis.
  • Assortment & Line Planning: Demonstrated ability to build strategic, balanced, and financially sound product assortments from the ground up.
  • Open-to-Buy (OTB) Management: Deep understanding and practical experience in creating and managing OTB budgets to control inventory investment and flow.
  • Retail Math & Financial Acumen: Strong command of key retail metrics, including margin, turn, sell-through, GMROI, and the ability to model pricing strategies.
  • PLM/ERP System Experience: Proficiency in using Product Lifecycle Management (e.g., Centric PLM) or Enterprise Resource Planning (e.g., SAP, NetSuite) software.
  • Sales Forecasting & Data Analysis: Skill in analyzing large datasets to forecast future sales, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions.
  • Competitive & Market Analysis: Ability to systematically research and synthesize market intelligence to inform product and business strategy.
  • Inventory Management Principles: Solid understanding of inventory planning techniques to optimize stock levels and product availability.
  • Jewelry Product Knowledge: A strong foundational knowledge of fine and fashion jewelry, including metals, gemstones, settings, and manufacturing techniques.
  • E-commerce Merchandising: Familiarity with merchandising on digital platforms like Shopify, Magento, or other e-commerce systems, including on-site search and navigation best practices.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Communication & Presentation: The ability to clearly and persuasively articulate strategies, data insights, and creative concepts to diverse audiences, from designers to executives.
  • Strong Negotiation & Influencing Skills: Proven ability to negotiate effectively with vendors and influence cross-functional partners to achieve common goals.
  • Detail-Oriented & Organized: Meticulous attention to detail in data, product information, and planning, coupled with the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
  • Collaborative Spirit: A natural team player who thrives on building strong relationships with design, marketing, planning, and sales teams.
  • Commercial Awareness & Product Passion: A genuine passion for jewelry and a sharp instinct for what will sell, blending creative taste with a strong business mindset.
  • Adaptability & Resilience: Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and can pivot strategies quickly in response to changing market conditions.
  • Creative Problem-Solving: The ability to think critically and creatively to overcome challenges in the product-to-market process.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in a relevant field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Fashion Merchandising
  • Business Administration
  • Marketing
  • Finance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-7 years of progressive experience in a merchandising, buying, or planning role.

Preferred:

  • Direct experience within the fine jewelry, luxury accessories, or contemporary fashion sectors is highly preferred. Experience managing a product category across multiple channels (e-commerce, retail, wholesale) is a significant advantage.
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