Director, Product Development and Merchandising

Centric Brands • New York, NY

102d • $125,000 - $140,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Product Development & Merchandising for Off-Price Jewelry leads the end-to-end development and merchandising of seasonal jewelry assortments tailored for the off-price market. This leader collaborates closely with Design, Merchandising, Production, Planning, and overseas partners to strategically plan, create, and execute compelling product lines that are trend-right, competitively priced, margin-responsible, and brand-appropriate. With a deep understanding of consumer needs, value-driven pricing, and fast-paced retail cycles, the Director will drive product strategies that balance fashion and commercial viability, optimize vendor relationships, and ensure operational excellence from concept to delivery.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in product development, merchandising, or private label buying-jewelry experience strongly preferred.
• Proven success in off-price or value-driven retail environments.
• Strong understanding of global sourcing, product lifecycle management, and cost engineering.
• Ability to interpret design and trend concepts into commercial product lines.
• Deep knowledge of materials, construction, and manufacturing techniques in fashion jewelry.
• Strong analytical skills and business acumen; ability to drive margin and profitability.
• Exceptional organizational, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Experience presenting to senior leadership and working in cross-functional environments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word); SAP and PLM systems a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, Product Development, Business, or related field.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead seasonal product and merchandising strategies, ensuring alignment between trend direction, pricing architecture, brand identity, and target customer.
• Partner with Design and Planning to define seasonal assortments, color palettes, and key categories, leveraging previous best sellers and market analytics to drive item productivity.
• Develop a strategic assortment plan that balances fashion, core, basics, and key value items tailored for the off-price channel.
• Identify and apply relevant macro and micro trends to create compelling, differentiated assortments across brands and collections.
• Evaluate competitive intelligence and consumer insights to pinpoint new opportunities in price points, materials, categories, or formats.
• Drive brand cohesion and consistency across multiple jewelry collections and product tiers.
• Oversee product development lifecycle from concept through production, ensuring quality, cost, and aesthetic integrity are maintained.
• Drive execution of assortment plans by working cross-functionally to ensure product viability from design intent to commercial execution.
• Build and manage seasonal line architecture and SKU plans in partnership with Merchandising and Planning teams.
• Approve materials, stones, findings, finishes, and components in alignment with brand aesthetic and quality standards.
• Collaborate with overseas offices and vendors to ensure prototypes, sales samples, and bulk orders meet spec, budget, and lead time requirements.
• Direct development and completion of Product Profile Sheets; maintain up-to-date records in PLM or related systems.
• Own and manage the seasonal product development calendar; ensure timely product delivery and adherence to key milestones.
• Partner with Production and Sourcing to identify and onboard new vendors; assess and monitor vendor performance, negotiate costs, and optimize capacity allocation.
• Collaborate with Imports and Compliance to ensure duty optimization, customs clearance, and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements.
• Present seasonal product lines to senior leadership, buyers, and internal stakeholders; lead key milestone meetings including line reviews, pre-costing, and post-season analysis.
• Continuously assess margin performance and costing opportunities to deliver value to customers and profitability to the business.
• Identify and resolve quality issues and construction challenges in partnership with Technical Design and QA.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors, suppliers, and internal cross-functional partners.
• Attend relevant trade shows, trend presentations, and sourcing expos to identify new resources and stay ahead of market shifts.
• Act as a key liaison with licensors, retail partners, and internal stakeholders to align on brand standards and merchandising direction.
• Manage and mentor a team of Product Developers and Merchandisers; set clear goals, provide actionable feedback, and foster growth.
• Create an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing team culture.
• Identify future talent needs and implement succession planning strategies.
• Promote accountability, strategic thinking, and agility across the team to meet evolving business needs.

Benefits

• Industry-competitive salary.
• Comprehensive benefits plan (medical, dental, vision).
• Matching 401(k).
• Summer Fridays.
• Generous PTO.
• Merchandise discounts.
• Excellent career development opportunities.
• Work environment that reflects industry leadership.
• Social impact program focusing on volunteerism.
• Diversity and inclusion initiatives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Apparel Manufacturing
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees