Product Development & Merchandising Manager

Diamond Foundry • New York, NY

235d • $80,000 - $100,000

About The Position

VRAI is one of the fastest-growing digital-first direct-to-consumer brands. Modernizing diamond jewelry through the exclusive use of sustainably created diamonds, VRAI has innovation, craftsmanship, and sustainability at the core of its products and values. An honoree of Fast Co. Innovation Award in retail design, and a global business, VRAI has locations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, NY, Shanghai, Chicago, London, Madrid, and Copenhagen, with more locations on the horizon. At VRAI, the Product Development and Merchandising Manager is responsible for overseeing the lifecycle of fine jewelry products from initial concept through to production including rigorous quality analysis and issue resolution with manufacturers. This role demands a deep understanding of fine jewelry product development, engineering, manufacturing, industry trends, data analysis, and costing. This role has strong cross-functional collaboration, and a commitment to maintaining the highest quality standards. The ideal candidate has a proven track record in product development within the fine jewelry industry and the ability to drive innovation while efficiently bringing new products to market.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in product development within the fine jewelry industry with a portfolio showcasing successful fine jewelry launches.
• Proven ability to manage projects from concept to production successfully, demonstrating exceptional communication skills, impeccable attention to detail, excellent organizational and time-management abilities, with the capacity to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Extensive knowledge of jewelry design, gemology, materials, and manufacturing processes - including CAD design software, PLM, Excel and other relevant tools used in product development.
• Strong understanding of cost analysis, pricing strategies, and market trends in fine jewelry.
• Systems and operations focused to create or streamline processes and communication with manufacturers and internal partners.

Responsibilities

• Stay current with market research and customer/retail feedback to support new fine jewelry product concepts
• Manage the entire product development process from concept to final sample approval, maintaining craftsmanship standards and timely completion; partner with production and quality teams to develop a deep understanding of vendor capabilities and make product allocation selections considering cost, capacity, lead times, manufacturing feasibility, quality standards, and brand aesthetics.
• Set up sample SKUs and issue purchase orders keeping a pulse on diamond inventory levels, own project communication and followup with manufacturers for CADs, renderings, pricing, etc....
• Create and maintain product development project trackers, product pricing documents, work in progress reports, product launch decks, and lead weekly product development meetings, preparing status updates on designs, CADs, costing, samples, etc.
• Initiate the product launch process through product information handoffs to production and marketing including approval of product renderings.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Retirement savings plans
• Life and disability insurance programs
• Paid and unpaid time away from work
• Employee discounts

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Miscellaneous Manufacturing
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees