Senior SME Jeweler - Queens, NY

Position Overview:

The Tiffany & Co. Senior Jeweler SME (Subject Matter Expert), is proficient in nearly all technical aspects of jewelry and stone work. The Senior Jeweler SME is skilled at performing jewelry using a wide range of standard and skilled techniques for complex new and client owned merchandise. They possess a deep knowledge of jewelry materials (including metal assay and gemstone identification and sensitivity) as well as CAD engineering, fabrication and installation, and is able to communicate this knowledge to technical and non-technical co-workers. The Senior Jeweler SME assists the Lead Jeweler with all jewelry/stone setting candidate bench testing. They also assist the Lead Jeweler in training newly hired jewelers and other technicians. The Senior Jeweler SME understands workshop safety, ensures risks are minimized and sets a strong compliance example in this area.                          

What You'll Do:

• The Senior Jeweler SME possesses nearly all of the technical skills within the jewelry work scope and executes these skills with the highest quality and proficiency.
• Become a go-to Jeweler for high jewelry stone setting specifically with center and colored stones.
• Assist the Lead Jeweler in the technical development of all jewelry craft levels, included and not limited to bench test & onboarding.
• Perform complex engineering projects related to high jewelry items as well as high value pieces for Tiffany clients.
• Design, solution, fabricate and complete the following: Adjustable shank installation on high value rings including rings with side stones, hot/cold enamel, solution parts engineering, stone setting. Pendants/brooch modifications, gallery reconstruction, watch case repair/fabrication, bespoke alterations, melee stone setting/tightening in all setting types. Hand-make settings for fancy shape stones. Construct invisible clasps and hidden bales on statement jewelry items. Partner with CAD technicians to develop new parts and custom components.
• The Senior Jeweler SME may be called upon to support high jewelry events and to be client facing at these events.  Some events may require travel
• Quality - Complete all craft work according to Tiffany quality and design standards; read, understand and follow written repair instructions and seek clarification when needed; inspect all assigned orders for additional defects and note, repair or escalate as appropriate; perform "specialty craft work" e.g. complex setting, enameling as appropriate to skill set and work mix.
• Productivity - Meet or exceed established productivity standards based on work mix and role.
• Organization - Maintain assigned orders in an organized fashion ensuring that due dates are adhered to; report any late or potentially late orders to administration or management.  Maintain an organized bench and work space. Request any needed parts, consumable material, tools or supplies according to established procedures; maintain all assigned parts, metals and scrap in a secure and organized fashion and according to established procedures.
• Perform setting, repairs and alterations on all assigned orders according to Tiffany & Co. standards.

Knowledge and Development:

Take a role in developing the technical skill of new hires and co-workers; actively collaborate with coworkers, administration and management in problem solutioning.  This solutioning is carried out with the goal of delivering the highest luxury experience for the client. Technical solutions will be engineered, carried out and shared with global TSC teams as well as Product Development and Category Management where applicable.

Technical Training:

• Participate in one-on-one or group training as needed for local and remote technicians.
• Take a role to help less knowledgeable technicians to develop a working knowledge of Tiffany & Co. products.
• Proactively seek and apply new skills and techniques that result in quality, safety or productivity improvements. Proactively share skills and techniques with coworkers; actively collaborate with coworkers, administration and management in problem solving and process improvement.

Service center & event support:

• Provide technical support for events.  This support is comprised of new sale alterations as well as technical solutioning.  In some cases this solutioning requires client facing skills.

Occupational Health and Safety:

• Comply with all health and safety requirements including personal protective equipment, hazardous material handling and disposal, machine guarding, ergonomics, etc.
• Maintain a safe workstation free from risks. Immediately report any safety incidents, including "near misses", to management
• Contribute and educate technical, and non-technical, staff in the safe and efficient operation of the workshop; assist and educate the technical staff in cleaning and maintaining common areas and equipment; report any worn, broken or unsafe tools, equipment and supplies; identify and report any gaps in workshop infrastructure.  Identify technical equipment and tools with the goal of continually improving efficiency and safety within the workshop.           

Required Qualifications:

• Diamond and colored-stone setting experience
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum 10 years' of experience
• Soldering experience
• Laser welding experience
• Flexible work schedule and ability to work overtime as needed, including weekends
• Strong attention to detail
• Customer service orientation
• Fluent English language skills - Reading, Writing, Verbal
• Ability to shift tasks quickly to meet daily business needs
• Strong initiative and the ability to work without constant direction
• Excellent organizational abilities to manage and prioritize multiple tasks
• Demonstrated ability to identify and provide resolution for areas of improvement
• Ability to inspire trust, fairness, integrity, and professionalism with staff members as well as management
• Ability to work with cross functional teams
• Detail oriented ability to communicate effectively with different levels of management
• Ability to prioritize and work in a highly dynamic, fast paced and team-oriented environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree from jewelry technical/design program
• Completion of Graduate Gemology degree or completion of courses
• Minimum 15 years' of experience
• Tiffany & Co. product knowledge
• Engineering ability
• Fabrication experience
• Assembly experience
• Gemstone setting experience
• Non-precious stone setting experience
• Basic computer knowledge

The hiring range for this position ranges from $38 - $52/hr. The rate of pay offered will be dependent upon candidates’ relevant skills and experience.

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