Stone Sourcing Manager
About Us: WWAKE is an award-winning fine jewelry brand in Brooklyn, New York. Founded in 2013, our brand is deeply rooted in transparency and committed to artistic design that drives meaningful change with the communities at the source of our materials. Our jewelry represents a connection between you, the earth, and every hand involved in the supply chain.
About the Role:
WWAKE is seeking a highly organized gem enthusiast as our Stone Sourcing Manager to oversee our most defining materials: one-of-a-kind gemstones. The Stone Sourcing Manager plays a vital role in managing and optimizing our gemstone offering to support our sales and design goals. This position involves strategic partnership with our design, development, sales, and marketing managers, ensuring the availability of on-brand gemstones, and maintaining strong vendor relationships to support seamless business operations.
The Stone Sourcing Manager will possess a passion for colored gemstones and diamonds, and thrive in an entrepreneurial setting. A deep commitment to responsibly sourcing stones from global origins is essential. This role is not only central to WWAKE’s operational success, it is foundational to our brand ethos. By emphasizing gemstone provenance and ensuring transparency throughout the sourcing process, this position directly shapes the story we tell as a brand. The Stone Sourcing Manager leads this narrative, forging the critical link between the materials we use and the values we communicate to our customers.
Key Responsibilities:
Inventory Management:
- Maintain a well-organized inventory tracking system (inclusive of memos & POs) that serves the needs of Sales, Design, and Production teams.
- Stone trafficking: Track location, usage, and traffic of all stones to ensure every piece of inventory is accounted for
- Stone intake: Managing a timely and precise intake process, including pricing, quality control, stone scanning, GIA certification, data entry, and labelling.
- Ensuring the accessibility of stone details to other departments
- Conduct comprehensive reviews of current inventory, including sell-through, market comp analysis, and vendor performance. Proactively communicate reviews with management teams to achieve peak stone performance.
- Develop and maintain a clear Min/Max inventory system for production stones to ensure timely and accurate replenishment. Lead regular check-ins with the Production Manager to review usage and inventory needs, ensuring the system reflects current data and supports ongoing ordering.
- Own and manage the Stone Inventory Budget, providing accurate forecasting and tracking to leadership.
Stone Sourcing & Vendor Management:
- Proactively oversee all stone sourcing by working closely with design, development, and sales managers to ensure that the supplies align with the brand and business needs alike.
- Lead regular meetings with the design, development, clienteling, and wholesale managers to have an updated and clear understanding of the company’s and market sourcing needs.
- Build and maintain strong vendor relationships—negotiating clear trade terms, memos, and securing exclusive pricing and access that directly supports annual Sales & Design goals. Ensure clarity on lead times, pricing, and product availability.
- Adjust sourcing strategies based on production needs, sales feedback, and inventory turnover to optimize costs and enhance inventory efficiency.
Sales Support and Product Knowledge:
- Develop educational materials and conduct product knowledge sessions to deepen the sales and marketing teams’ understanding of our products. Provide this product supply information so that the company can share it with the final client through its different distribution and communication channels (e-commerce website, wholesale, retail/clienteling, marketing).
- Support Sales and Design goals with a strategic inventory sourcing plan for upcoming seasons, and prepare vendors accordingly. Work closely with Founder, Sales, Production, and Development teams to align sourcing strategies with design timelines and customer demand.
- Support the design process with updates on stone availability and current trends across colors, cuts, and carats
What We’re Looking For:
- Minimum 3 years of experience in gemstone buying, jewelry sourcing, and inventory management. Demonstrated ability to manage wide inventory of both gemstones and diamonds.
- Deep passion for gemstones, storytelling through materials, and working with color. Preference for knowledge of current market trends in fine & demi-fine jewelry categories.
- Entrepreneurial mindset, comfortable brokering new exclusive terms with stone dealers to leverage our product offering, as well as strategizing with the sales team to support follow-through on terms.
- A proactive self-starter with excellent project management and organizational skills
- Strong communication and relationship-building abilities, both internally and with vendors.
- Fluency in inventory systems, spreadsheets, or sourcing tools.
Compensation & Benefits:
- Salary ranging from $85,000 to $95,000 depending on experience.
- Health benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, with 50% of premiums paid by WWAKE.
- Annual leave totaling 35 days, including 15 days PTO (increases with tenure), 10 federal holidays, 5 days at year-end, and 5 sick days.
- Eligibility for WWAKE’s 401K plan, including a 3% company contribution and potential profit-sharing.
- 12 weeks paid parental leave with a flexible return-to-work policy.
- Additional perks include an annual jewelry allowance, employee discount, hybrid work options, and Summer Fridays.
This role requires a highly organized and self-directed individual who can work independently, manage multiple timelines, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will balance strategic vision with hands-on execution and must demonstrate excellent follow-through, judgment, and communication.
Application Process: Please email your resume and cover letter with the subject line "Stone Sourcing Manager" to [email protected].
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $85,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person
