Title: Vice President, Sales

Location: New York – Full Time in Office

Industry: Retail

Salary : Up to $175,000 + Commission + Benefits

Brief Overview:

Forsyth Barnes have partnered with one of the leading importer and wholesaler of ladies' accessories, they are seeking a dynamic and experienced Vice President of Sales to oversee their sales operations and drive growth in the department store channel. The ideal candidate will have established relationships with key buyers in major department stores, a deep understanding of the accessory market, and exceptional leadership and forecasting skills. This is a strategic leadership role, requiring a blend of sales expertise, trend awareness, and managerial acumen.

Responsibilities:

Relationship Management:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with buyers.
• Act as the primary point of contact for these accounts, ensuring alignment with their merchandising strategies.
• Leadership & Team Management:
• Manage, mentor, and inspire a team of three salespeople, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and high performance.
• Set team sales goals and provide coaching to ensure they meet or exceed targets.

Market Expertise:

• Stay abreast of handbag trends, customer preferences, and market dynamics to ensure product offerings align with consumer demand.
• Collaborate with the design and production teams to provide feedback on product development and trend forecasting.

Sales Strategy & Execution:

• Develop and implement sales strategies to achieve revenue and profitability targets.
• Monitor and analyze sales performance by account and category, identifying opportunities for growth and areas for improvement.
• Partner with marketing teams to develop promotional plans and strategies tailored to department store partners.

Forecasting & Planning:

• Accurately forecast sales by account, ensuring proper inventory planning and production alignment.
• Monitor sell-through data and collaborate with the planning team to adjust orders and replenish inventory as needed.

Data Analysis & Retail Math:

• Use advanced Excel skills and retail math to analyze sales data, assess performance, and generate actionable insights.
• Prepare detailed sales reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.

Fashion & Trend Awareness:

• Exhibit a strong sense of fashion and an understanding of handbag trends to guide product recommendations and sales strategies.
• Attend trade shows and industry events to identify new opportunities and maintain a competitive edge.

Requirements:

• Proven track record of success in sales leadership roles within the handbag or fashion accessories industry.
• Established relationships with key buyers at major department stores
• Willingness to travel as needed for meetings, trade shows, and client visits.
• Experience working with both department store and specialty retail channels.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a results-driven mindset.