Buyer/Category Manager – GemCraft Studio

About the role

We are seeking an entrepreneurial Buyer / Category Manager to build and lead the GemCraft Studio category from the ground up. This is a highly strategic and hands-on role responsible for end-to-end category management, including product sourcing, vendor development, assortment planning, and collaboration with merchandising, production, marketing, and digital teams.

Responsibilities

• Category Ownership: Build and manage the GemCraft Studio DIY jewelry category.
• Develop a comprehensive product assortment strategy.
• Own category revenue, margins, SKU productivity, and inventory planning.
• Identify growth opportunities within the DIY jewelry ecosystem.
• Product Sourcing & Vendor Development: Source and manage products across the DIY jewelry ecosystem.
• Vendor Development & Global Sourcing: Build and manage vendor partnerships across key global sourcing regions.
• Merchandising & Launch Planning: Plan product launches across TV, e-commerce, and livestream platforms.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with TV Production Teams, E-commerce Merchandising, Marketing & Social Commerce, Inventory Planning, Product Education & Training Teams, Market & Competitive Analysis.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in merchandising, buying, or product sourcing.
• Experience in jewelry making, craft supplies, or gemstone sourcing.
• Strong vendor negotiation and sourcing expertise.
• Knowledge of jewelry components, beads, findings, or gemstones.
• Ability to manage product assortment and inventory planning.

Preferred Experience

• Knowledge of lapidary tools and gemstone materials.
• Experience working with international suppliers.
• Experience in TV retail or live commerce environments.

Key Skills

• Product sourcing.
• Category management.
• Vendor negotiation.
• Assortment planning.
• DIY jewelry expertise.
• Trend analysis.
• Cross-functional collaboration.

Success Metrics

• Category revenue growth.
• Gross margin performance.
• Sku productivity.
• Vendor development.
• Product innovation.
• Repeat customer purchase rate.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and in front of a monitor/computer screen.
• Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds at times with reasonable accommodation.

Benefits

• 100% Company paid, employee-only medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• 4% 401(k) matching.
• ME Incentives: Up to 15 days of PTO & vacation time, maternity/paternity leave, company-covered short-term & long-term disability, paid training time, paid volunteer time, 7 paid holidays.
• Corporate discounts, employee sales, Employee Assistance Program.
• Tuition reimbursement and scholarship (for dependents going to college).
• A great work environment, where you will learn, be challenged/supported and given projects that reflect your interests, and you can own/take pride in!