Director Merchandisng - Kay

Signet Jewelers•Irving, TX

About The Position

The Director, Merchandising leads the category‑level product strategy, in‑season business management, and execution of trend‑right assortments for key fashion jewelry segments within Kay Jewelers. Reporting to the Vice President of Merchandising, this role translates the enterprise merchandising strategy into actionable category plans that drive commercial performance, deepen brand relevance, and deliver an elevated consumer experience. The Director brings together deep product intuition, strong analytical rigor, and collaborative influence to build compelling assortments, respond quickly to business trends, and ensure cohesive execution across channels.

Requirements

7+ years of progressive merchandising experience in fashion‑driven or trend‑led categories (jewelry experience preferred).
Proven record of building assortments and driving category‑level commercial results.
Strong analytical capability, including ability to use data to influence assortment and pricing decisions.
Demonstrated ability to lead and develop merchandising talent.
Experience partnering within a matrixed organization to drive execution.

Responsibilities

Category Strategy Translate the broader merchandising strategy into category‑level frameworks, line architecture, and seasonal assortment plans.
Develop a clear product point‑of‑view, aesthetic direction, and assortment architecture aligned with brand goals and consumer insights.
Identify whitespace opportunities, emerging trends, and commercial opportunities to strengthen category performance.
Recommend category expansion, optimization, or repositioning based on performance data, trend insights, and competitive dynamics.
Assortment Creation & Product Lifecycle Ownership Lead end‑to‑end category product development from brief through final line selection, ensuring alignment with trend, margin, and brand objectives.
Make data‑driven decisions on SKU productivity, newness cadence, and assortment balance across price points, materials, and key item architecture.
Manage in‑season category performance, including SKU edits, style expansions, and exit strategies.
Partner with Design and Product Development to ensure product briefs are consumer‑driven, trend‑relevant, and financially sound.
Consumer, Trend & Market Insights Continuously monitor cultural and fashion trends, competitive activity, and evolving consumer preferences across both digital and in‑store environments to inform category direction.
Apply customer analytics, VOC insights, store feedback, and omnichannel behavior data to optimize assortment decisions.
Track competitive pricing landscapes and marketplace dynamics across channels to ensure the category maintains strong value perception and margin integrity.
Cross‑Functional Execution Partner with Planning to build detailed category financial plans, OTB recommendations, and investment strategies.
Work closely with Marketing, MP&I, and Visual Merchandising to bring product stories to life across digital and store environments.
Collaborate with eCommerce and Store teams to enhance assortment presentation, strengthen conversion drivers, and elevate storytelling across digital and in‑store experiences.
Manage timelines, calendars, and key deliverables to ensure seamless cross‑functional execution.
Season Business Leadership Own category‑level P&L delivery, including sales, margin, turn, and inventory productivity.
Lead weekly/monthly performance reviews, diagnosing drivers and recommending strategic adjustments.
Identify short‑term trend shifts and implement timely course‑corrections to protect and grow the business.
People Leadership Lead and develop category managers and merchants, fostering a culture of curiosity, accountability, and strong decision‑making.
Provide coaching, direction, and feedback to support skill development and succession readiness.
Promote collaboration, inclusivity, and continuous improvement within the team.