Sales Manager

The Sales Manager is responsible for achieving shipping and margin goals by account and by brand.  The Sales Manager will work closely with the Director of Sales to build & execute strategies in order to maximize sales and margins, support and promote the brand, where appropriate, and maintain optimal relationships with customers.

 Strategy & Innovation 

• Partner with customers to communicate and execute brand positioning and key strategic initiatives for brand, where appropriate; propose and negotiate financial business plans for growth; ensure optimal placement in store with fixtures and in-store shops.
• Set objectives, clarify expectations, measure results, get feedback and make improvements to achieve bottom line financial results.
• Research and perform competitive analysis (classifications, pricing, merchandising, etc.); monitor relevant trends and communicate to internal partners, where appropriate.
• Collaboratively develop line plan for each brand, in context of larger assortment and cost structure, and customize to each customer; create and execute seasonal business proposals with suggested assortments based on marketplace and customer base.
• Contribute to cultivation of new accounts and opportunities to expand business with existing accounts; identify and strategize means to penetrate new markets.

 Operations & Results

• Perform daily review of order management to ensure shipments, distributions and deliveries for each account are in system in a timely manner.  Work closely with customer service team to communicate any extension, shipping or pricing issues with accounts.  Secure ensure timely fulfillment of all orders.
• Partner with operations team to ensure proper credit, shipping, and bookings for each customer.
• Monitor, assemble and analyze weekly sales and stock levels and uncover any potential issues or opportunities.  Work closely with financial planning team to manage sales, stock levels, markdowns, margins and cost giveback for each quarter.  
• Devise strategies and make recommendations to customers and internal partners regarding merchandising, markdowns and orders/reorders to help drive profitable sales. 
• Help to manage samples for showroom and marketing purposes – both internally & for accounts.
• Occasionally travel to customer locations to meet with buyers, planners and management teams to review business, realize any sales potential opportunities and ensure proper in-store execution.

 Customers & Relationships

• Cultivate, develop and maintain relationships with new and existing customers and focus on their goals & business needs.
• Manage communications and feedback between customers and internal partners in Sales, Design and Production.
• Partner with retail coordinators to ensure proper in-store execution of promotional activities, inventory levels and merchandising strategies.
• Work closely with Director of Sales to manage advertising co-op, allowances and givebacks.

Leadership & Teams

• Contribute positively to team dynamic and manage up where necessary.
• Share best practices to help others be effective and reach their business goals.
• Inspire people to think in new ways, acquire fresh insights and original ideas.
• Train and coach junior team members in selling, negotiating and presentation skills.
• Attract, develop and retain talent.

Skills and Requirements: 

• 3-5+ years of experience in wholesale apparel sales
• Strong analytical skills, fluent in retail math and business plan review
• Previous collection brand experience and/ or experience in men’s and women’s  and kids apparel is a plus.
• Superior organizational skills and excellent communication skills; team oriented and outgoing.
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines; highly detail oriented and meticulous.