Merchandise Buyer - Sourcing

• Develop and implement merchandise assortments and projects for loose stones and call stones to meet objectives for all distribution channels
• Understand competitive landscape
• stay attuned to changing market dynamics and logistics
• Conduct cost analysis on all diamond product, and other basic jewelry categories, to reduce overlap between channels, procurement costs and / or improve gross margin
• Deliver year over year cost reductions through a total cost of ownership mindset
• Be the primary contact and subject matter expert for our diamond certification partners, external laboratories and other supply chain relationships
• Improve process and efficiencies with these vendors
• Develop and manage partnerships with vendors, including negotiating favorable terms and sourcing to ensure all product meets the company's merchandising and financial objectives
• Work with vendors to resolve issues
• Evaluate vendor performance and make recommendations to merchandise on how to meet business needs
• In conjunction with merchandise team, support the management of diamond feeds for the online builders
• Develop a standard merchandise RFP process and perform, with assistance from the Buying Teams, merchandise RFPs on specific product categories
• Manage support staff or assist with training and development of buying staff
• Support the distribution center in maximizing the recovery of unwanted inventory for sell-off

• Bachelor’s degree in Retail Management, Business Administration, or related field
• Seven to ten years of merchandise management experience required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Extensive jewelry and diamond knowledge preferred, along with demonstrated vendor negotiation experience and project management skills
• Experience in product planning and forecasting, vendor negotiations, pricing analyses and inventory control is required
• Demonstrated knowledge of core buying skills required
• Strong analytical skills, retail math and proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint required
• Hybrid schedule with predictable onsite attendance required three or more days per week to perform essential functions involving interactive behaviors with co-workers and managers, operation or manipulation of equipment and/or materials located only on site, and direct interaction with internal and/or external customers

Extensive jewelry and diamond knowledge