Sales Assistant, Dolce Vita at Steve Madden in New York, NY

Job description

General Summary The Sales Assistant serves as a vital operational and administrative backbone for the handbag sales division of Dolce Vita, reporting directly to the Director of Sales. This position is primarily responsible for playing a significant support role in the management of all major accounts, while also driving day-to-day sales operations, inventory tracking, and client relations. The responsibilities described below are considered essential functions of the role. This position is based in our NYC office and requires working on-site. Key Responsibilities Work with Director of Sales to support all Major accounts Collaborate effectively with handbag buyers, coworkers, and other sales teams to ensure seamless communication and team cohesion Maintain and nurture professional business relationships with clients, partners, and industry contacts Respond promptly and accurately to internal and external requests, ensuring excellent customer service Attend meetings with buyers and internal design teams to showcase new products, gather feedback and take notes Organize and manage sales follow-up activities from trade shows, ensuring timely contact and relationship building with new and existing clients Compose catalogs and promotional materials to send to customers, supporting product sales and marketing efforts Monitor and manage inventory levels, noting delivery windows and effectively coordinate stock availability Learn and utilize M3 platform to analyze orders, inventory, and sales data in detail Develop and update templates for multiple brands to support online sales and marketing initiatives Attend trade shows to connect with independent retailers, showcase products, and establish new business relationships Travel as required to support sales events, trade shows, and client meetings Track sales performance, monitor deadlines, and ensure timely execution of tasks Use strong Excel skills to organize data, track sales, and analyze performance metrics Coordinate the receipt of sample handbags, noting if they are professionally photographed or designated for specific customers Proactively complete e-commerce product copy, tags, and digital assets ahead of schedule to ensure all product launches go live on time Anticipate potential issues and proactively solve problems, supporting both personal and team success Handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism Sending out samples per customer requests Assist with market preparation: line sheets, catalogs and sample management Maintaining master working files including inventory lists, markdown lists and sample logs Able to manage multiple projects and deadlines with support and resources as needed Perform other duties and special projects as assigned Specific Job Skills : Essential duties include Daily Sales Operations & Communication - Accountable for responding promptly to customer requests regarding order status, stock availability, and product information Customer Order Support - Proactively checking in on open orders for key retail partners, ensuring delivery windows are met, and alerting the Director of Sales to potential shipping challenges Cross-Functional Liaison - Communicating daily with internal teams (Customer Service, Design, Retail, Production) to align on product launch dates, marketing assets, and inventory allocations Inventory Tracking - Updating Master Working Files. Accountable for ensuring that all data—including current inventory levels, markdown schedules, etc —is accurate and maintained Product & Sample Logistics - Accountable for the physical and digital tracking of samples. This includes logging new arrivals, shipping samples to buyers for review, and coordinating with the creative team to ensure items are prepped for professional photography E-Commerce "Go-Live" Readiness: Proactively drafting product copy, assigning tags, and organizing digital assets. Accountable for ensuring all website data is ready before the launc