Shagufta Charania

As a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the jewelry industry and an MBA in Finance, I possess a diverse skill set and in-depth knowledge of various aspects of jewelry design, production, and market trends. My roles as a CAD and production head in jewelry organizations have been instrumental in driving the design, development, and production of high-quality jewelry products. This has involved close collaboration with teams of designers, engineers, and production specialists, overseeing the CAD design process, managing the entire production process, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

In addition to my production expertise, I am also passionate about utilizing software tools to optimize the design and production processes, resulting in significant time and cost savings, as well as minimizing errors. This has afforded me the opportunity to conduct comprehensive trainings at individual, team, and corporate levels, including designing and delivering training programs for various departments and training participants in national employability enhancement missions. Furthermore, my extensive understanding of design aesthetics and preferences in diverse markets, including India, UAE, UK, and US, has allowed me to create jewelry designs that cater to the unique demands of each market, ensuring customer satisfaction and exceeding their expectations.

My vast experience in the jewelry industry, complemented by my MBA in Finance, positions me to make significant contributions to the success and growth of premier jewelry brands.

CAD and Production Head - Salam Khalfan Jewellery LLC - Dubai

(2022-02)

• Collaborated with cross-functional teams, utilizing CAD software to design and develop innovative jewelry products while ensuring adherence to specifications for quality, cost, and feasibility.
• Oversaw the CAD design process, utilizing cutting-edge software tools to create efficient, cost-effective 3D models.
• Managed the complete production process from inception to completion, liaising with teams to procure materials, track costs, and optimize inventory levels to ensure seamless order fulfillment.
• Sourced diamonds and gemstones, implementing strategic inventory adjustments that positively impacted sales, revenue, and production sustainability.
• Designed and produced high-end bespoke jewelry for esteemed clients, including the Princess of Monaco and royal families in the UAE, maintaining the highest standards of luxury craftsmanship.

Creative Head, New Product Development, Merchandising - Kamdar Avlani Jewels and Jewellery

(2019-03 - 2020-03)

• Served as a direct report to the CEO, overseeing day-to-day office and showroom activities.
• Managed design SKUs and job cards, estimating diamond demand and coordinating with procurement teams to fulfill inventory requirements.
• Created seasonal and themed collections; collaborated directly with manual and CAD teams to manage weight optimization, finishing, and overall design aesthetics.
• Managed high-net-worth and VIP clients for custom and bespoke commissions, providing personalized design variations and securing technical sign-offs on final weights.
• Conducted rigorous quality control and assurance checks throughout production and prior to final product delivery.

Head of Training - Indian Academy of Jewellery and Design - Mumbai

(2017-04 - 2019-02)

• Conducted advanced corporate and classroom training programs on key technical design software, including Rhinoceros, Matrix, and V-Ray.
• Designed customized SOPs for corporate clients; delivered bespoke training programs at Titan (Tanishq) across various departments including NPD, Quality Assurance, NEEM, and the filigree watches division (Nebula).
• Collaborated with diverse operational departments to draft and implement SOPs that optimized size maintenance and minimized gold loss on the production floor.
• Supervised the creation of Rapid Prototyping Techniques (RPTs) to guarantee error-free manufacturing, saving critical resources and cycle time.

Creative Head - DHJ World - Mumbai

(2012-03 - 2017-03)

• Managed a team of 20+ CAD designers, establishing efficient workflows between clients, design departments, and manufacturing plants.
• Evaluated and refined designs to achieve targeted weight reduction while preserving design integrity and luxurious aesthetic value.
• Produced and tailored over 5,000 CAD models, generating 50,000+ localized product images for leading e-commerce websites.
• Utilized CAD suites to design themed jewelry lines, including an official Disney children's jewelry range.

Head of Production - R Steinmetz and Sons - Mumbai

(2002-09 - 2008-09)

• Began as a junior professional and earned rapid promotion to lead factory production, acting as the key interface between design and traditional craftsmen (Karighars).
• Formulated and implemented structured metal-loss tracking systems, maximizing floor efficiency and minimizing gold waste.
• Coordinated closely with gemstone procurement and logistics/export divisions to guarantee prompt delivery of trade-show and wholesale orders.
• Handpicked to undergo specialized training in Rhinoceros CAD software, subsequently designing and executing the entire training curriculum for the CAD division.
• Managed high-profile luxury brand commissions, including diamond-encrusted brand emblems for Ferrari, Mercedes (using over 50 carats of diamonds), and the BAFTA ceremony.

Post Graduation - Finance - Rizvi Academy of Management (2007 - 2010)

Sales and Marketing (Jewellery) - Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery (2005 - 2005)

Jewellery Designing - Indo American Society (2002 - 2002)

Graduation - Commerce - Mumbai University (1998 - 2001)