Sales Manager / Sales Director

Vida Shoes International; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Vida Shoes International is seeking a high-performing, hands-on Sales Manager/Director for Active Footwear in New York. You will own and grow a portfolio of department stores, sporting goods, specialty retailers, off-price channels, club and e-commerce partners, personally in-market to drive volume and margin.

You will lead a sales team, partner with Design and Product Development, and plan market weeks while maintaining strong relationships with buyers.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of wholesale sales experience in active, athletic, or lifestyle footwear.
• 10+ years with team leadership experience for the Director level.
• Established relationships with buyers and merchants at major department stores, sporting goods, and specialty retailers.
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills; experience with retailer vendor portals a plus.
• Ability to travel regularly for market weeks, account meetings, and store visits.

Responsibilities

• Sell and Grow the Business: Personally manage and grow a portfolio of key accounts across department stores, sporting goods, specialty, off-price, club, and e-commerce; identify and close new opportunities; lead seasonal line presentations; negotiate orders and margins; visit stores to train staff and build relationships.
• Own the Numbers: Deliver seasonal and annual sales, gross margin, and sell-through targets; build plans by account; analyze data; present forecasts to management; organize buys.
• Lead and Collaborate: Bring market insight to Design/Product Development; ensure on-time deliveries with Production/Planning; lead and develop account executives; plan market weeks and trade shows; monitor competition; oversee sales support activities.

Skills

Wholesale footwear sales

Relationship building

Sales leadership

Excel

PowerPoint

Negotiation

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Vendor portals

Job description

Job Description: (ON SITE)

Since 1973, Vida Shoes International has been committed to becoming a global leader in the footwear industry. We are dedicated to designing, producing, and marketing quality branded footwear using our expansive international resources. Our wealth of knowledge stems from the diversity of brands and successful products we have produced year after year.

We are looking for a hands‑on, results‑driven sales leader to own and grow our Active footwear business. This is an active selling role: the right person is in the market, in front of buyers, and walking stores, personally driving volume while building the long‑term strategy for the business. You will work closely with Design, Product Development, Production, and Planning to build seasonal collections that sell through for our retail partners and meet our internal margin expectations.

Summary:

Vida Shoes is seeking a high‑performing, hands‑on Sales Manager / Sales Director who wants to own a business, not just maintain one. You will manage and grow key department store, sporting goods, specialty, off‑price, club, and e‑commerce accounts, open new doors, and deliver against sales, margin, and sell‑through targets. Candidates with deeper experience and a proven leadership track record will be considered at the Director level, with responsibility for leading and developing the sales team.

Job Title: Sales Manager / Sales Director – Active Footwear

Compensation: $120,000 – $210,000K

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Sell and Grow the Business

• Personally manage and grow a portfolio of key accounts across department stores, sporting goods, specialty, off‑price, club, and e‑commerce
• Identify and close new account opportunities; expand door counts and line distribution with existing partners
• Lead seasonal line presentations and market appointments, and build assortment recommendations tailored to each account
• Negotiate orders, terms, and markdown and margin support with buyers and merchandise managers
• Visit stores regularly to walk the floor, train sales associates, and build relationships at every level of the account

Own the Numbers

• Deliver seasonal and annual sales, gross margin, and sell‑through targets
• Build annual and quarterly plans by account, breaking goals into clear, actionable steps
• Analyze weekly selling, inventory, and open‑to‑buy data; recommend reorders, promotions, and markdown strategies
• Prepare and present sales results, revenue, and realistic forecasts to the management team
• Organize and submit buys to the management team

Lead and Collaborate

• Bring market insight and customer feedback back to Design and Product Development to shape winning collections
• Partner with Production and Planning to ensure on‑time deliveries and healthy inventory positions
• Director level: lead, coach, and develop account executives and sales support staff
• Plan and execute market weeks, trade shows, and other events
• Keep abreast of the competitive marketplace, emerging channels, and market shifts
• Oversee sales support activities such as order entry, sample trafficking, and account follow‑up as needed

Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years of wholesale sales experience in active, athletic, or lifestyle footwear; 10+ years with team leadership experience for the Director level
• Established relationships with buyers and merchants at major department stores, sporting goods, and specialty retailers
• Proven track record of growing accounts and hitting targets, with results you can point to
• A self‑starter and closer who is energized by being in the market and in front of customers
• Strong analytical skills and a solid grasp of retail math: sell‑through, margin, open‑to‑buy, and forecasting
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills; experience with retailer vendor portals a plus
• Excellent presentation, negotiation, and communication skillsBachelor’s degree preferred
• Ability to travel regularly for market weeks, account meetings, and store visits

Thank you in advance for your interest in this opening. Vida Shoes International is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. At this time, only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Direct applicants only, no third‑party staffing inquiries, please. #LI-ONSITE