Buyer, Fine Jewelry

Moda Operandi • Brooklyn, NY

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Moda Operandi is seeking a Buyer for its Fine Jewelry division. The Buyer devises and executes merchandise strategies to meet or exceed financial plans and leads cross-functional work with Buying, Planning, Marketing, and Operations. The role drives business growth and manages sales forecasting, inventory, and buying decisions for the category. It generates seasonal merchandise plans, assortment strategies, and vendor negotiations to maximize and grow the business.

The Buyer develops and analyzes financial plans, seasonal assortments, and buy plans; manages the buying process and inventory flow; reviews business performance; and identifies initiatives and opportunities to meet financial objectives. The role builds vendor relationships, negotiates buying terms, monitors industry and competitive trends, and collaborates with private client stylists and cross-functional partners to support sales, customer relationships, brand positioning, and marketing priorities. It also trains, develops, and manages the Assistant Buyer and Merchandising Assistant.

This is a hybrid role with one day a week in the company’s Brooklyn, New York (Industry City) office. The listed salary is $90,000–$110,000 per year, based on experience, plus a discretionary bonus.

Requirements

• At least 2 years of experience as a Buyer.
• At least 7 years of merchandising experience.
• Fine Jewelry experience is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required.
• Strong understanding of merchandising financials and retail math, with the ability to manage profitability.
• Strategic thinking and the ability to manage both high-level priorities and detailed work.
• Balanced analytical ability and innovative, creative thinking from both business operations and product standpoints.
• Excellent organizational, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate across multiple cross-functional departments and act as a liaison.
• Ability to lead and manage a team of two.
• Proficiency in inventory fulfillment models, including asset, dropship, and consignment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel; the posting also lists proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Workspace.
• Ability to work in a dynamic, changing, fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Strong knowledge of the Fine Jewelry market and a demonstrated sense of fashion.
• Credibility and integrity demonstrated through strong industry relationships.
• Detail orientation, multitasking ability, strong organization, methodical and efficient work habits, sound business judgment, trend identification, and decision-making skills.
• Strong networking, presentation, and writing skills.

Nice To Haves

• Luxury e-commerce experience is a strong asset.
• Understanding of the dynamics shaping the global luxury landscape.

Responsibilities

• Work with the VP, Non Apparel, to execute top-level strategic initiatives and partner with cross-functional teams and direct reports to drive them.
• Meet or exceed department sales, gross margin, and inventory plans.
• Build and maintain vendor relationships, strategically partnering to deliver a differentiated product mix and meet seasonal profitability targets.
• Serve as an expert on industry trends, consumer behavior, and the competitive landscape.
• Collaborate with private client stylist teams to drive client engagement, retention, sales, gross margin, and customer relationships.
• Create and execute merchandise assortment plans aligned with financial, merchandising, and marketing objectives.
• Partner with Planning to create buy plans that follow company financial strategies and support an efficient assortment.
• Coordinate with Marketing, Editorial, Studio, and other cross-functional teams to align key messages and brand features with business priorities.
• Train, develop, mentor, and manage the Assistant Buyer and Merchandising Assistant.
• Develop, manage, and continually analyze financial plans, including profitability margins, mark-up, and receipt flow, to exceed sales goals in line with corporate strategies and KPIs.
• Foster collaboration and support others’ ideas in order to execute business growth strategies.
• Develop seasonal Fine Jewelry merchandise plans with management and the merchandising team.
• Manage the buying process, build assortments based on historical and current product performance, analyze business, and manage inventory flow.
• Review and analyze business weekly, monthly, and seasonally, and develop appropriate initiatives.
• Analyze competitive pricing, products, presentation, and timing.
• Attend trade shows and market appointments.
• Negotiate vendor buying terms, including price, margin, quantity, and delivery terms.
• Identify new business opportunities, including new brands and product development.
• Identify opportunities to maximize sales and drive initiatives to meet financial objectives.
• Motivate selling teams by communicating product knowledge, including collection notes, training, and selling events.
• Keep cross-functional teams informed about performance, industry trends, new inventory, and brand positioning.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance benefits effective from day one.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Company-paid life insurance.
• Voluntary supplemental insurance benefits, including short-term disability, long-term disability, accident, and critical illness coverage.
• Unlimited paid time off for exempt, full-time employees.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Discretionary bonus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level