Sterling Jewelers Inc. has promoted merchandising directors Dawn McGuire and Bruce Carter to vice presidents.

As vice president, Mall Division, McGuire will be responsible for merchandising oversight of the diamond fashion, bridal, and color areas for the division.

In his new role as vice president, Strategic Merchandise Sourcing and Manufacturing Division, Carter is responsible for the coordination of the rough diamond manufacturing with the polished department and jewelry-manufacturing department. In addition, Carter will also oversee the mounted solitaire category as well as lead the scrap mitigation initiative.

McGuire and Carter will continue to report to Stuart Lee, vice president of Corporate Merchandising.

“We are extremely pleased to have dedicated individuals like Dawn and Bruce on our team,” said Mark Light, president and chief executive office of Sterling Jewelers Inc. “Each of them consistently demonstrate commitment and leadership and has played an invaluable role in the outstanding growth and success of Sterling.”

McGuire joined Sterling Jewelers Inc. in 1988 as a Buyer and during her 19-year career with the company, she has been promoted to a number of management positions within the Merchandising Department. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University located in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Carter has been with Sterling Jewelers Inc. since 1993. For nine years, he previously held the position as Director Corporate Timepieces/Manufacturing at Sterling. Before that, Carter served as Senior Buyer. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business/Economics from Randolph Macon College in Ashland, Virginia.

Akron, Ohio-based Sterling Jewelers Inc., the largest specialty jewelry specialty retailer in the U.S., operates more than 1,402 stores in all 50 states trading as “Kay Jewelers,” “Jared the Galleria of Jewelry,” and a variety of regional names, employing more than 21,000 associates. As a subsidiary of the London-based Signet Group plc, Sterling Jewelers Inc. is part of the largest specialty jewelry retailer in the world.

JCK