SUMMARY
Satomi Kawakita Jewelry is a New York–based fine jewelry brand rooted in thoughtful design, ethical craftsmanship, and deeply personal connections between our pieces and the people who wear them. Every piece is handcrafted in our TriBeCa studio, where our team brings Satomi Kawakita’s vision to life and creates jewelry that celebrates life’s meaningful moments.
We’re looking for a Studio Manager to oversee all aspects of studio operations and jewelry production at SKJ. This role is responsible for production workflow, quality control, inventory and supply management, vendor coordination, and direct management of the studio team.
The Studio Manager plays a hands-on leadership role, balancing day-to-day execution with forward planning. They are expected to anticipate production needs, maintain the highest standards of craftsmanship, and ensure the studio operates efficiently, safely, and in alignment with SKJ’s values and business goals.
If this sounds like you, please reach out to us directly with your resume at hiring@satomikawakita.com. No phone calls please.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:
- Minimum 3 years of experience in a jewelry production or studio environment
- Proven experience managing people and production workflows
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
- Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to quality
- Comfortable working independently and managing competing priorities
- Proficient in Google Workspace and production-related systems
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
- Punctual, reliable, and professional in demeanor
- Familiarity with SKJ’s brand, collections, and design aesthetic (or ability to learn quickly)
- Hands-on bench experience is a plus
- Graduate Gemologist (GG) certification is a strong plus
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Production:
- Oversee all jewelry production, finishing, and quality control to uphold SKJ’s craftsmanship standards
- Supervise daily production workflow and work assignments
- Monitor production schedules, lead times, and deadlines; conduct regular audits and proactively address delays or bottlenecks
- Review and assess repairs and resizes, including estimating lead times and costs
- Ensure consistent adherence to production specs and QC standards across all styles
Team Management:
- Directly manage, mentor, and support the studio staff
- Lead hiring, onboarding, and training for studio roles, in coordination with Operations and HR
- Partner with the Head Jeweler to create, track, and update training and development plans
- Conduct performance reviews, provide ongoing feedback, and address performance issues as needed
- Oversee scheduling, time tracking, and PTO approvals to balance production needs and team well-being
- Lead regular studio meetings to align on priorities, metrics, and process improvements
Inventory, Supply & Vendor Management:
- Oversee raw material, findings, and tool inventory, ensuring accurate records and appropriate stock levels
- Coordinate regular inventory counts and audits for critical materials and tools
- Monitor material usage, additional pulls, and QC-related losses to inform training and sourcing decisions
- Communicate with vendors and suppliers regarding materials, timelines, pricing, and quality standards
- Identify sourcing challenges, delays, or cost increases and flag them to the Operations Manager
- Maintain organized, clearly labeled, and efficient studio storage systems
Studio Operations:
- Maintain a safe, clean, and well-organized studio environment
- Coordinate bi-annual deep cleans, tool maintenance, and equipment upkeep with the jewelers
- Review and approve studio invoices related to materials, tools, outsource labor, and general expenses
- Track and review studio costs, flag discrepancies, and report trends or concerns to the Operations Manager
- Assist with studio reporting, including production metrics, inventory summaries, and repair reports
- Plan ahead for seasonal production needs and adjust staffing or inventory levels accordingly
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Communicate production status, delays, and priorities with Sales and Operations teams
- Support product development efforts by coordinating production readiness and material sourcing
- Serve as a point of contact for production-related requests from SKJ Tokyo team as needed
- Identify opportunities to improve processes, efficiency, and cost control, and propose solutions
SECONDARY JOB RELATED DUTIES:
- Presents a professional and positive image on behalf of the Company.
- Reports any safety or security concerns immediately to the Operations Manager.
- Keeps the studio area tidy and clean and ready for customer visitors at any time.
- Supports any additional tasks related to primary job responsibilities as requested by Management.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- The Staff Member is regularly required to sit, stand, kneel, crouch, grab things with his/her hands and use various office equipment.
- This job requires the ability to move around the office and run errands outside the Company.
- The Staff Member must be able to lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
- The noise level in the work environment is moderate to occasionally noisy due to production
- equipment.
- The Staff Member must be able to tolerate airborne dust particles from production equipment in the studio.
- Good vision, with or without aid, is required for this job.
- Ability to travel independently.
WHAT WE OFFER:
- Competitive compensation and annual bonus pay eligibility
- 100% paid medical/dental/vision insurance from the first day of employment
- Paid vacation and sick time, with # of days increasing each year you work
- Paid company holidays + paid vacation from Christmas until New Year
- $120 Monthly Transportation support
- $40 Cell Phone Support
- Service Anniversary Recognition Program - receive a bonus for milestone anniversaries! ($3,000 at 3-year anniversary, $5,000 at 5-year anniversary, $7,000 at 7-year anniversary, $10,000 at 10-year anniversary)
- Birthday Program—receive a credit towards an SKJ piece, with the value increasing each year you work
- Generous employee discount
- Professional Development Reimbursement Program
- Fun company events, outings and lunches/dinners throughout the year
- A warm, friendly environment and beautiful work space in Tribeca/SoHo