Kate Spade Assistant Store Leader
- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Manager
- Department
- Retail & Boutique Operations
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- Apr 1, 2026
About Kate Spade
Kate Spade is a globally recognised lifestyle and accessories brand known for its contemporary, playful aesthetic and refined craftsmanship. Operating within the Tapestry, Inc. portfolio, Kate Spade combines a strong retail network with a focus on elevated customer service, creative merchandising and continuous development of retail talent.
Assistant Store Leader at Kate Spade New York partners with the Store Leader to drive retail store productivity and profitability through strategic leadership, team coaching, and operational excellence. The role encompasses client-focused service delivery across omni-channel and virtual platforms, talent development, sales planning, brand stewardship, and comprehensive store operations management, including inventory, compliance, and seasonal execution.
Role & Responsibilities
- Model Kate Spade service behaviors and selling standards; lead a high-energy, client-focused retail environment
- Drive omni-channel and virtual selling initiatives; execute clienteling through client books, personalized outreach, and loyalty program engagement
- Empower team members to deliver personalized customer experiences and resolve service issues with excellence
- Lead customer data capture and analysis to support marketing initiatives and repeat business development
- Recruit, onboard, and develop diverse talent; provide coaching, performance management, and support for underperforming team members
- Establish clear performance goals, monitor key performance indicators (traffic, conversion, units per transaction, average unit retail), and coach team to achieve targets
- Act as Store Leader during their absence and maintain an inclusive, motivating workplace culture
- Develop community networks to support recruiting efforts and enhance brand awareness
- Own store sales plans and financial forecasts; create action plans to capitalize on business opportunities
- Inspire the team to exceed performance standards across all selling channels
- Partner with corporate teams to analyze market data and optimize sales and merchandising strategies
- Champion Kate Spade aesthetic and brand philosophy; maintain brand and operating standards throughout the store
- Execute visual merchandising directives and ensure an impeccable, on-brand store environment
- Communicate sell-through trends, stock analyses, and customer feedback to corporate partners for continuous improvement
- Oversee store opening and closing procedures, cash handling, and facility security
- Manage staff scheduling and payroll budgets; adjust staffing levels to align with business needs
- Ensure full compliance with company policies, health and safety standards, and loss prevention protocols
- Support inventory management, cycle counts, and shipment accuracy
- Manage live stream shopping sessions and leverage social media trends to drive customer engagement
Qualifications
- Minimum 2+ years of retail management experience in fashion, lifestyle, or comparable retail environment
- Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; experience with retail management systems
- Demonstrated ability to analyze selling reports, identify market trends, and execute strategic responses
- Strong English language proficiency
Skills
Experience
2+ years of retail management experience in fashion, lifestyle, or comparable retail environment. A combination of relevant education and practical experience will be considered.
Education
No specific educational qualification stated; a combination of education and retail management experience will be considered.
Workplace
The successful candidate will be located in Gretna, Scotland, UK, with easy access to Edinburgh.
Benefits
1 paid volunteering day per year and opportunities to participate in global volunteer initiatives; learning and development opportunities through the Ambassador Programme; regular social events; employee resource groups and regional inclusion councils focused on equity, inclusion, and diversity; attractive employee discount; compelling incentive programme; internal mobility and career progression opportunities.
Culture
Kate Spade fosters a creative, client-centric retail culture that celebrates individuality and polished design. As part of the Tapestry group, the brand emphasises professional development for store leaders, collaborative teamwork and a strong commitment to delivering memorable customer experiences.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Kate Spade, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Deputy Store Manager», «Store Operations Manager», «Assistant Manager», «Retail Leadership Associate», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.