Sale Manager - Ladies Shoes

About the role

The Sales Manager at Saks Fifth Avenue is responsible for total ownership of the sales experience within the store and plays a critical role in achieving the company's objectives. This role involves facilitating partnerships across functions, developing the clienteling skills of a team of high-performing direct reports, and fostering a sense of teamwork and collaborative spirit.

Responsibilities

• Actively recruit and seamlessly onboard new hires.
• Train and develop top talent by supporting team members in identifying career development goals and opportunities for growth and exposure; set clear goals and communicate to direct reports in alignment with department objectives and support in achievement strategy.
• Foster an environment of accountability by leading the team in appropriately enforcing policies and procedures, ensuring understanding from all associates.
• Evaluate and calibrate performance and productivity fairly for direct reports, provide feedback with consistent follow-up, coach and mentor associates on opportunities for improvement.
• Drive continued education initiatives for direct reports, with a focus on product knowledge training, client events and experiences, and targeted selling and clienteling.
• Promote a positive environment of achievement, recognition, and celebration.
• Resolve work-related concerns and conflicts as soon as they arise, finding common ground and settling disputes fairly and with minimal disruption.
• Empower team to take ownership of internal and external customer problems and resolve them quickly.
• Create and maintain an environment of trust and collaboration by encouraging team members to share feedback and make recommendations for improvement.
• Speak with truth and candor, modeling how to challenge the status quo appropriately.
• Exhibit Saks Fifth Avenue's culture and values, and create a friendly, upbeat atmosphere where customer service is consistent with Company standards.
• Role model exceptional service and client relationship building skills by consistently delivering memorable client experiences, planning and supporting client appointments to maximize results, and informing clients of in-store events to enhance engagement and loyalty.
• Proactively build positive and productive relationships, seeking to help others by identifying and meeting the needs of the team, customers, partners, and the community.
• Build a cohesive customer service-driven team, overseeing customer service efforts and escalations.
• Increase new client acquisition and strengthen existing relationships by leveraging various marketing tools and channels of technology, such as social media platforms, referrals, and networking.
• Take initiative to stay informed on new merchandise deliveries in the store to maximize selling potential.
• Drive towards the achievement of maximum sales and growth through the development of client advisors and client relationships.
• Establish well-thought-out plans and manage team execution, anticipating and adjusting for risks and roadblocks to maintain operational excellence within department(s).
• Execute plans and strategies in store to build strong client relationships and meet overall client development goals.
• Understand and analyze internal and external customer behaviors, trends, and preferences, adjusting processes and standards accordingly (e.g., focus programs).
• Support audit compliance to enforce department and stockroom controls, as applicable.
• Stay informed of business drivers, industry trends, and competitors, applying knowledge to identify and pursue new opportunities.
• Track progress against departmental strategies to execute properly and successfully.
• Proactively share information, best practices, and new ideas with team to improve business and performance.
• Demonstrate strong decision-making skills (e.g., problem definition, data analysis, hypothesis testing, asking for input).
• Use critical thinking skills to analyze problems and to recommend viable solutions.
• Personally champion change initiatives, explaining benefits and challenges of change to team and others impacted.

Requirements

• Relevant experience and leading a team, with supervisory experience managing a team of direct reports.
• A proven track record of success managing a selling and operations workforce and achieving business results.
• Proficiency in utilizing available technology, including clienteling tools and social media (social selling), as well as Google Workspace programs, advanced proficiency preferred.
• History of building, leading, motivating, and coaching teams to achieve objectives.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, structuring messages in a clear logical manner using the most appropriate communication medium.
• Strong attention to detail.
• May require standing, bending, climbing stairs, and lifting and carrying up to 10 pounds.
• Willing to work a flexible schedule based on business need, which will include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Preferred Qualifications

• Luxury retail fashion experience preferred.
• 4-year degree preferred.
• Continuously builds skills and knowledge through training, coaching, and career experiences.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge and appreciation of the Saks Fifth Avenue business and the fashion industry.
• Adapts personal approach in response to diverse situations and people.
• Responds to unexpected changes in work environment with creativity and resilience.
• Establishes and upholds high personal standards for individual work and environment.
• Maintains a customer-centric mentality versus a solely store-centric one.