AVP of Quality

About Us

David Yurman is a celebrated American jewelry company founded in New York by David Yurman, a sculptor, and his wife, Sybil, a painter and ceramicist. When the artists began collaborating, their goal was simply to make beautiful objects to wear. Led today by their son Evan, David Yurman creates timeless, yet contemporary collections for women and men defined by inspiration, innovation, consummate craftsmanship and cable – the brand’s artistic signature. David Yurman collections are available at retail stores throughout the United States, Canada, Hong Kong and France and at locations worldwide, through their exclusive authorized fine jewelry and timepiece network of retailers.

Our Values

At David Yurman, creativity, innovation and impeccable craftsmanship are at the core of everything we do. Fueled by the energy of our hometown, New York City, artistic passion informs each and every jewelry design. The Yurman family’s guiding vision continually defines and redefines what it means to be the preeminent American luxury jewelry brand. We are committed to responsible business and social practices and to the protection and advancement of human rights. We believe in partnering with others who share these values and understand their importance.

Job Description

AVP of Quality

Overview

The AVP of Quality is responsible for leading David Yurman’s global quality strategy and overseeing all aspects of quality assurance and quality control to ensure products consistently meet the company's standards for craftsmanship, performance, durability, and customer satisfaction.

This role provides strategic quality leadership across global manufacturing partners. The AVP will establish and maintain quality standards, drive continuous improvement initiatives, reduce product defects, and ensure consistent execution of quality processes throughout the product lifecycle.

Partnering closely with Product Development, Manufacturing Excellence, Sourcing, Operations, and global manufacturing partners, this individual will lead initiatives that strengthen product integrity, improve supplier performance, and support operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Strategy & Leadership

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve global quality standards, policies, procedures, and inspection protocols to ensure consistency across all product categories.
• Lead the company's international and domestic quality assurance and quality control functions, establishing clear performance expectations, accountability, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Partner with Manufacturing Excellence to maintain and enhance the Quality Assurance Manual, ensuring standards are communicated and consistently applied across internal teams and global suppliers.
• Establish and monitor key quality performance indicators to identify trends, reduce defects, minimize repairs, and improve overall product quality.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and development to domestic and global quality teams, fostering a culture of accountability, technical expertise, and operational excellence.
• Collaborate with cross-functional leadership to align quality objectives with business priorities.
• Oversee Quality inventory controls to ensure accurate system transactions, inventory integrity, and accountability for product movement into Quality locations.
• Lead regular cross-regional Quality team meetings, at least biweekly, to align priorities, address emerging quality concerns, and ensure consistent execution of global quality standards.
• Oversee periodic quality competency assessments to identify skill gaps, guide targeted training initiatives, and ensure consistent application of quality standards across the team.

Global Supplier Quality & Manufacturing Excellence

• 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 processes to evaluate quality consistency, identify recurring issues, and drive measurable improvements.
• Oversee the timely communication of product nonconformances to global manufacturing partners, ensuring appropriate documentation, corrective action plans, and resolution.
• Provide technical guidance, quality training, and best practices to global Manufacturing Partners and DY Quality Teams.

Product Development & Quality Assurance

• 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 samples, first production samples, testing samples, product re-engineering samples, second-source supplier samples, and the entirety of 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.
• Proactively partner with Manufacturing Excellence team to drive initiatives that reduce manufacturing defects and product failures.

Quality Control Operations & Product Integrity

• Provide strategic oversight of quality control operations, including onsite inspections, distribution center inspections (including finished goods and components), and diamond testing.
• Establish and maintain diamond testing procedures, including screening of diamond-set finished goods to prevent lab grown diamond contamination within inventory.
• Lead the research, evaluation, and acquisition of emerging diamond testing technologies to enhance Quality capabilities and ensure alignment with industry advancements.
• Oversee and assess diamond testing technologies utilized by manufacturing partners to ensure reliability, effectiveness, and compliance with established quality standards.
• Provide leadership and operational oversight of the Quality Control Polishing Shop at the New Jersey Distribution Center, ensuring quality, productivity, and efficient workflow management.
• Ensure inspection teams are appropriately trained and equipped to maintain consistent quality evaluations and inspection results.
• Oversee Returns Inspection operations to ensure effective workload prioritization, operational efficiency, and consistent inspection accuracy.
• Oversee finished goods vault audits to ensure ongoing compliance with established quality standards, identify potential quality risks, and drive corrective actions as needed.

Quality Analytics, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Lead the collection, analysis, and reporting of quality inspection data for finished goods, components, diamond testing, supplier performance, and product nonconformances across onsite operations, distribution center, and global manufacturing partners.
• Develop and maintain monthly, quarterly and annual quality reports and performance dashboards to provide actionable insights to leadership.
• Analyze quality trends and recurring defects to partner with Manufacturing Excellence on improving manufacturing processes and product performance.
• Establish corrective and preventive action processes to address root causes and reduce repeat quality issues.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to implement process improvements that enhance product quality, operational efficiency, and supplier accountability.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of experience in jewelry manufacturing, luxury goods, or related high-end consumer products.
• Minimum 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 with experience leveraging 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.

Education

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

Position Details

Location: Lyndhurst, NJ / New York, NY (TriBeCa)

Working Mode: On-Site

Travel: Domestic and international travel required, as needed.

Estimated Salary Range: $250–$275 annually

Compensation & Benefits

Base pay is one component of David Yurman’s total compensation package, which may also include the following for eligible employees: access to healthcare benefits, 401(k) plan, bonus, employee discounts, Summer Fridays (corporate roles), generous paid time off, sick time, and more.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at David Yurman

As a company founded by artists, David Yurman champions self-expression in everything we do. We are committed to fostering a culture of openness and creative collaboration within our entire community, and we cherish the diversity of our employees’ backgrounds and perspectives. We will always advocate for equity and inclusion for all.

David Yurman is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to an individual’s age, race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender).