David Yurman Quality Vice President

About David Yurman

Founded in New York in 1980 by sculptor David Yurman and painter Sybil Yurman, David Yurman is an American luxury jewelry house distinguished by its artistic heritage and iconic Cable design. Blending sculptural form, exceptional materials, and meticulous craftsmanship, the brand brings a distinctive creative perspective to fine jewelry. As an employer, it encompasses disciplines ranging from jewelry design and product development to retail, client services, and corporate functions. Its professional environment connects artistic expression with the exacting standards of luxury, inviting employees to contribute to a shared legacy of design innovation while cultivating enduring relationships with a discerning clientele.

Role & Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve global quality standards, policies, procedures, and inspection protocols across all product categories.
• Lead domestic and international quality assurance and quality control functions, setting performance expectations, accountability, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Partner with Manufacturing Excellence to maintain and enhance the Quality Assurance Manual, ensuring standards are communicated and applied consistently across internal teams and global suppliers.
• Establish and monitor quality performance indicators to identify trends, reduce defects and repairs, and improve product quality.
• Lead, coach, and develop domestic and global quality teams, fostering accountability, technical expertise, and operational excellence.
• Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to align quality objectives with business priorities.
• Oversee Quality inventory controls, including accurate system transactions, inventory integrity, and accountability for product movement into Quality locations.
• Lead cross-regional Quality team meetings at least biweekly to align priorities, address emerging concerns, and ensure consistent execution of global standards.
• Oversee periodic quality competency assessments to identify skill gaps, guide targeted training, and support consistent application of quality standards.
• Oversee quality performance across domestic and international manufacturing partners to ensure adherence to David Yurman’s craftsmanship and product standards.
• Oversee supplier quality audits, finished goods and component inspections, and corrective action processes to identify and resolve quality concerns.
• Establish supplier performance reporting and monitoring to assess consistency, identify recurring issues, and drive measurable improvements.
• Ensure timely communication of product nonconformances to global manufacturing partners, with appropriate documentation, corrective action plans, and resolution.
• Provide technical guidance, quality training, and best practices to global Manufacturing Partners and DY Quality Teams.
• Partner with Design, Product Development, and Manufacturing Excellence to incorporate quality, manufacturability, and durability requirements throughout the product lifecycle.
• Oversee quality approvals for product development, first production, testing, product re-engineering, and second-source supplier samples, as well as production.
• Establish and oversee finished goods and component sampling procedures across global suppliers and internal quality teams.
• Ensure new product introductions meet established quality standards.
• Collaborate with the Repairs Department to analyze product performance, identify recurring quality issues, and implement product improvements.
• Partner proactively with Manufacturing Excellence to reduce manufacturing defects and product failures.
• Provide strategic oversight of quality control operations, including onsite inspections, distribution center inspections of finished goods and components, and diamond testing.
• Establish and maintain diamond testing procedures, including screening diamond-set finished goods to prevent lab-grown diamond contamination in inventory.
• Lead research, evaluation, and acquisition of emerging diamond testing technologies to enhance Quality capabilities and align with industry advancements.
• Oversee and assess diamond testing technologies used by manufacturing partners for reliability, effectiveness, and compliance with established quality standards.
• Lead and oversee operations at the Quality Control Polishing Shop at the New Jersey Distribution Center, ensuring quality, productivity, and efficient workflow management.
• Ensure inspection teams are trained and equipped to maintain consistent quality evaluations and results.
• Oversee Returns Inspection operations, prioritizing workload and ensuring operational efficiency and consistent inspection accuracy.
• Oversee finished goods vault audits to maintain compliance with quality standards, identify potential risks, and drive corrective actions.
• Lead collection, analysis, and reporting of quality inspection data for finished goods, components, diamond testing, supplier performance, and product nonconformances across onsite operations, the distribution center, and global manufacturing partners.
• Develop and maintain monthly, quarterly, and annual quality reports and performance dashboards that provide actionable insights to leadership.
• Analyze quality trends and recurring defects, partnering with Manufacturing Excellence to improve manufacturing processes and product performance.
• Establish corrective and preventive action processes to address root causes and reduce recurring quality issues.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to implement process improvements that enhance product quality, operational efficiency, and supplier accountability.

Qualifications

• At least 15 years of experience in jewelry manufacturing, luxury goods, or related high-end consumer products.
• At least 10 years of progressive experience in Luxury Jewelry Quality Assurance, Quality Control, or Supplier Quality, including significant leadership responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience leading quality functions across domestic operations and global manufacturing partners.
• Strong technical understanding of jewelry manufacturing, construction, materials, gemstones, diamonds, precious metals, and finishing processes.
• Proven ability to establish and execute quality strategies, develop performance metrics, and drive measurable improvements.
• Experience overseeing supplier quality programs, manufacturing audits, inspection procedures, and corrective action processes.
• Strong analytical capabilities and experience using quality data to identify trends, manage risk, and improve operational performance.
• Demonstrated ability to build, develop, and lead high-performing teams across multiple functions and locations.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on involvement in complex quality and manufacturing challenges.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and experience with enterprise systems such as Oracle.
• Gemological knowledge and GIA certification preferred.
• A bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality Management, Operations, or a related discipline is preferred; equivalent relevant industry experience may be considered.
• Domestic and international travel required as needed.

Skills

Experience

At least 15 years in jewelry manufacturing, luxury goods, or related high-end consumer products; at least 10 years of progressive experience in Luxury Jewelry Quality Assurance, Quality Control, or Supplier Quality, including significant leadership responsibility.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality Management, Operations, or a related discipline preferred; equivalent relevant industry experience may be considered.

Benefits

Eligible employees may receive healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan, a bonus, employee discounts, Summer Fridays for corporate roles, generous paid time off, and sick time.

Culture

David Yurman’s workplace culture is rooted in the artistic partnership of its founders, blending a sculptor’s eye for form with a painter’s sensitivity to color. As a family-founded American luxury jeweler, the brand places craftsmanship, creativity, and attention to detail at the heart of its professional environment. Its teams bring this artistic heritage to life through distinctive design and a refined, personal approach to client service.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.