Description

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Merchandising & Inventory Strategy to join a growing fine jewelry organization. This high-impact leadership role will serve as the bridge between creative vision and commercial performance, helping bring greater structure, discipline, and scalability to the merchandising and inventory function.

The ideal candidate will possess strong expertise in fine jewelry merchandising, inventory planning, Open-to-Buy strategy, and leadership. This individual will partner closely with executive leadership to drive inventory productivity, optimize assortment decisions, strengthen vendor partnerships, and support long-term growth initiatives.

This position is ideal for a commercially minded leader who is both analytical and collaborative, with the confidence to make proactive, data-driven recommendations while operating in an evolving and entrepreneurial environment.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities:

• Lead and refine Open-to-Buy strategy aligned with sales, margin, inventory, and growth objectives.
• Analyze category, product, and inventory performance to guide replenishment, reduction, and purchasing decisions.
• Partner with leadership on purchasing strategies and monthly inventory investment planning.
• Monitor inventory health, including stock levels, replenishment needs, inventory productivity, and aged inventory.
• Evaluate product assortment performance across core, seasonal, and specialty product categories.
• Identify opportunities to replenish, reposition, reduce, or sunset products based on business performance and trends.
• Develop strategies to manage slow-moving, aged, and excess inventory.
• Improve and streamline merchandising and inventory-related processes throughout the organization.
• Strengthen vendor and supplier partnerships and support sourcing initiatives.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, leadership, creative teams, and key stakeholders.
• Lead, mentor, and develop merchandising and inventory team members.
• Translate reporting and business data into actionable recommendations for executive leadership.
• Support systems optimization and inventory technology enhancements.
• Help drive organizational growth and operational scalability initiatives.

Candidate Attributes Include:

• Strong financial and commercial decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to balance creativity with business strategy.
• Excellent analytical skills and comfort using inventory and reporting data.
• Strong leadership presence with coaching and team development experience.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across multiple departments.
• Confident communicator capable of presenting recommendations and challenging ideas professionally.
• Highly organized with a process improvement mindset.
• Experience navigating change within a growing organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Minimum 7+ years of progressive experience in merchandising, buying, inventory planning, or product leadership within the fine jewelry industry.
• Minimum 2+ years of leadership experience managing teams or leading through layered team structures.
• Demonstrated expertise in Open-to-Buy planning, inventory productivity, assortment strategy, replenishment, and aged inventory management.
• Strong business and financial acumen.
• Experience working with retail inventory management systems and reporting tools.
• Proven success building structure and improving processes within evolving organizations.
• Fine jewelry industry experience required.

Preferred:

• Experience working within founder-led or designer-led businesses.
• Experience supporting multi-location retail environments.
• Experience with inventory system implementations or transitions.

WORKING CONDITIONS / ENVIRONMENT

• Location: On-site in Denver, Colorado
• Employment Type: Full-Time
• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates

COMPENSATION

• Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience
• Bonus eligibility available

BENEFITS & PERKS

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Employee discount program
• Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates
• Opportunity to join a growing and evolving fine jewelry organization during an exciting stage of expansion

About the Company

Our client is an established and rapidly growing fine jewelry organization known for exceptional craftsmanship, elevated client experiences, and a strong brand identity. The company blends creativity with operational excellence and is seeking a strategic leader to help strengthen merchandising operations and support its next phase of growth.

This role requires U.S. work authorization, as it is based in the United States. Please be advised that sponsorship for employment visas is not available through CAZA Collective or our clients.

CAZA Collective proudly represents leading organizations across the diamond, gem, jewelry, and luxury industries. We celebrate diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable hiring process.