Smith will start his new role with Mémoire on Monday after nearly four years as president of Vibhor, a maker of private-label diamond jewelry that’s sold at independent jewelers nationwide.
At Mémoire, he will be responsible for brand building and private-label initiatives in North America.
Smith’s experience in the U.S. jewelry industry stretches back to the early 1980s, when he worked as a store manager at Whitehall Jewelers.
He spent eight years at Tiffany & Co. as a sales manager and a decade at Hearts On Fire. (Hearts On Fire acquired Mémoire in 2004; both are now owned by Chow Tai Fook.)
As executive vice president of brand development at Hearts On Fire, he overhauled the sales network and established a framework for independent retailers to be successful with the line.
In addition to his experience in jewelry sales and branding, Smith is the author of two books, “Hiring Squirrels: 12 Essential Interview Questions to Uncover Great Retail Sales Talent,” and “Sell Something: Principles and Perspectives for Engaged Retail Salespeople.”
He is also the author of “Squirrel Spotting” on National Jeweler, with columns including “Who’s Driving the Bus in Your Business?” and the uber-popular 2016 article, “What Will Become of Retail Jewelry Stores?”
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