Sales Associate III

Sales Associate III

Since its launch in 1993 with a collection of six essential handbags, Kate Spade New York has always been colorful, bold, and optimistic. Today, it is a global lifestyle brand that designs extraordinary everyday items, offering seasonal collections of handbags, ready-to-wear clothing, jewelry, shoes, home decor, and more. Recognized for its rich heritage and unique brand DNA, Kate Spade New York provides a distinctive perspective and celebrates the communities of women around the world who live their lives perfectly imperfectly.

Kate Spade New York is part of the Tapestry portfolio – a global brand house committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

As a member of the Tapestry family, we are part of a global brand house driven by unwavering optimism and committed to being innovative and fully inclusive.

Member of the Tapestry family, we are part of a global brand house that shows unwavering optimism and is committed to being innovative and totally inclusive. Visit the Our People page to learn more about Tapestry’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity.

The role of Sales Associate is an integral part of the overall success and efficiency of the store: it demands a keen attention to our brand commitment when it comes to serving our customers and generating results. Responsible for upholding the service and sales models of Kate Spade, the associate creates a positive first impression, builds lasting relationships with customers through personalized experience, and leaves a positive and memorable impression.

On the Sales Floor

• Understands organizational objectives and makes decisions that align with business priorities.
• Takes responsibility and commits to achieving results, while remaining aware of personal and store metrics; creates personal sales and retention strategies in partnership with the management team.
• Develops short- and long-term strategies to meet performance goals.
• Takes responsibility for personal survey results and develops plans to improve and overcome areas for improvement.
• Represents Kate Spade as a brand ambassador.
• Demonstrates the service and sales expectations of Kate Spade at all times.
• Understands changes in the local market that may impact performance and supports the execution of local sales strategies and tactics.
• Drives business through sales strategies, retention, new customer acquisition and maintaining ongoing productive client relationships.
• Creates positive impressions by embodying the best of oneself through an appearance that conforms to the Kate Spade Style Guide.
• Builds credibility and trust as a personal fashion advisor by communicating a strong knowledge of trends and competition.
• Offers in-depth product knowledge, including features, benefits, new arrivals, and overall value.
• Stays informed and clearly communicates the current pricing and promotion strategy.
• Highlights product features and develops sales through cross-selling techniques.
• Encourages complementary product additions that meet customer needs.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to customer needs and adapts approach based on perceived cues.
• Meets the unique needs of each customer.
• Serves multiple customers simultaneously and knows how to detach when needed.
• Engages in constant and authentic follow-up to influence or close the sale.
• Adapts personal sales techniques to contribute to the overall financial results of the store.
• Builds lasting and loyal relationships with customers.
• Uses the tools and technology of Kate Spade to support retention efforts.
• Creates enthusiasm and positivity around a shared vision and mission.
• Encourages a team selling environment.
• Fosters a work environment based on collaboration, trust, and team spirit with internal and external clients.
• Remains solution-oriented; adaptable and flexible to changing store needs.
• Welcomes feedback and adjusts behaviors as needed.
• Maintains a calm and professional demeanor at all times.

Operations

• Ensures that all daily tasks are completed without compromising service or Kate Spade standards.
• Performs daily operational tasks including store maintenance (sales floor and backroom), cash register, and visual merchandising according to Kate Spade standards, consistently and promptly.
• Maintains a clean and orderly sales floor at all times.
• Adheres to all applicable retail policies and procedures, including those related to cash register, operations, and asset protection.
• Replenishes the sales floor as needed.
• Participates in the inventory process by handling deliveries, stocking shelves, replenishing the floor, and maintaining high organizational standards in the backroom and on the floor.
• Supports cash register operations when needed to process purchases, returns, and exchanges.
• Processes transactions efficiently: purchase, return, exchange, special order, etc.
• Contributes to store preparation by organizing functional areas, performing routine cleaning, maintaining high standards of organization, and meeting visual presentation expectations.

Required Competencies

• Results Orientation: Consistently exceeds goals. Highly results-driven and motivates others to achieve them.
• Customer Orientation: Dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers. Obtains first-hand customer information and uses it to improve products and services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
• Creativity: Generates new and unique ideas; easily makes connections among previously unrelated notions.
• Interpersonal Skills: Easily establishes relationships at all levels. Uses diplomacy and tact, knows how to defuse tense situations.
• Quick Learner: Learns quickly in new situations, remains open to change, learns from successes and failures.
• Persistence: Deploys energy and determination to complete tasks despite obstacles.
• Ambiguity Management: Easily adapts to change, can act with partial information and remains comfortable in uncertainty.

Additional Requirements

Experience: 1 to 3 years of sales experience, preferably in a luxury retail service environment. Current knowledge of fashion trends and competition. Education: High school diploma or equivalent; college degree is an asset. Technical Skills: Knowledge of cash register systems, basic computer skills (iPad/laptop, mobile POS, internet), use of radio, reading price tags and product launches. Physical Requirements: Ability to work at a fast pace, communicate effectively with customers and team, move around the floor, climb, bend, and kneel. Ability to frequently lift and transport up to 25 pounds, and sometimes up to 50 pounds to handle merchandise. Schedule: Ability to meet Kate Spade’s schedule expectations, including flexible hours (evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak days such as Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, Christmas Eve, etc.).

Equity in Employment

Tapestry, Inc., parent company of Kate Spade, is a committed equal access employment provider. We are proud to hire and develop the best talent. All employment decisions (recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, transfer, training, discipline, and termination) are based solely on the qualifications of the candidate or employee in relation to the requirements of the position. These decisions are made without regard to age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic characteristics, race, color, belief, religion, ethnicity, national origin, alienage, citizenship, disability, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or any other legally recognized prohibited basis of discrimination.

Our Skills for All Employees

Courage: Doesn’t hold back anything that needs to be said; provides current, direct, complete, and “actionable” positive and corrective feedback to others; lets people know where they stand; faces up to people problems on any person or situation (not including direct reports) quickly and directly; is not afraid to take negative action when necessary.

Creativity: Comes up with a lot of new and unique ideas; easily makes connections among previously unrelated notions; tends to be seen as original and value-added in brainstorming settings.

Customer Focus: Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.

Dealing with Ambi