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 things for the everyday, delivering seasonal collections of handbags, ready-to-wear, jewelry, footwear, home décor, and more. Known for its rich heritage and unique brand DNA, Kate Spade New York offers a distinctive point of view and celebrates communities of women around the globe who live their perfectly imperfect lifestyles.
Kate Spade New York is part of the Tapestry portfolio – a global house of brands committed to stretching what’s possible.
As an Assistant Store Leader you partner with the Store Leader to maximize store productivity and profitability through leadership, coaching, and operational excellence. You set the tone on the sales floor, elevate service through omni-channel and virtual selling, and create an inclusive environment where associates can thrive as their authentic selves.
Key Responsibilities
Client & Service Leadership
- Model Kate Spade Service behaviors and selling standards; lead a high-energy, client-focused environment.
- Drive omni-channel and virtual selling; ensure clienteling through client books, outreach, and loyalty programs.
- Empower the team to personalize experiences and resolve customer issues effectively.
- Lead customer data capture to support marketing and repeat business.
Team Development & Leadership
- Recruit, onboard, and develop diverse talent; provide coaching and manage underperformance.
- Set clear goals, review KPIs (traffic, conversion, UPT, AUR), and coach to results.
- Act as Store Leader in their absence; foster an inclusive, motivating culture.
- Build community networks to support recruiting and brand awareness.
Sales & Business Planning
- Own store sales plans and forecasts; create action plans to address business opportunities.
- Inspire the team to exceed performance standards across all selling channels.
- Partner with corporate teams to analyze market data and optimize strategies.
Brand & Visual Standards
- Champion Kate Spade’s aesthetic and philosophy; maintain brand and operating standards.
- Execute visual directives and ensure an impeccable store environment.
- Communicate sell-through, stock trends, and customer feedback to improve results.
Operational Excellence
- Oversee opening/closing procedures, cash handling, and facility security.
- Manage schedules and payroll budgets; adjust staffing to business needs.
- Ensure compliance with policies, safety, and loss prevention standards.
- Support inventory management, cycle counts, and shipment accuracy.
- Manage live stream shopping sessions and leverage social media trends to drive engagement.
Requirements:
- 2+ years of retail management experience (fashion/lifestyle or comparable environment). A combination of education and experience will be considered.
- Strong leadership communication, and organizational skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; experienced with retail systems.
- Ability to analyze selling reports, identify trends, and react quickly.
- Strong English language proficiency. (for EU)
Schedule: Ability to work a flexible schedule to meet business needs—including nights, weekends, peak busy season, and high-traffic retail days (including, but not limited to, public holidays).
Note: This document serves only as a sample of job duties and responsibilities and does not include an exhaustive list of all performance requirements.
Skills Required
- 2+ years of retail management experience in fashion, lifestyle, or a comparable environment
- Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
- Experience with retail systems
- Ability to analyze selling reports, identify trends, and react quickly
- Strong English language proficiency for EU roles
- Ability to work flexible schedules, including nights, weekends, peak season, public holidays, and high-traffic retail days
What the Team is Saying
Tapestry - Coach and Kate Spade Compensation & Benefits Highlights
-
Healthcare Strength — Health insurance is portrayed as comprehensive, with medical, dental, vision, HSA/FSA options, EAP access, mental‑health resources, and wellness days described across materials. Multiple plan choices and added wellbeing tools (such as Headspace and counseling) are highlighted as part of the offering.
-
Retirement Support — Retirement provisions include a 401(k) savings plan with employer matching and the addition of a Roth 401(k) option. These are presented alongside broader financial programs such as an employee stock purchase plan in various benefit overviews.
-
Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave for eligible full‑time employees is accompanied by adoption assistance, family‑building resources, caregiver support, and backup care for children and elders. Company communications also note expanded global family‑care initiatives.
Tapestry - Coach and Kate Spade Insights
What We Do
A tapestry is made of many threads woven into one story. So are we. Our global house of brands unites the magic of Coach and Kate Spade New York. By intertwining different people and ideas, we push ourselves in our work, pull out the unexpected in what we create, and expand the bounds of possibility. Our brands were created by dreamers who were determined to turn ideas into icons and, with passion, made it happen. We’ve grown by finding people similarly dedicated to the dream all over the world. We hold ourselves to high standards in every material, process, and person that plays a part in our work, and we embrace difference by design because diverse perspectives are at the heart of creativity. We find brilliance in the intersections—of beauty and function, of heritage and innovation, of accessibility and aspiration—which is how we break through with magic and logic in our culture and our craft. The result is that we stand taller together. Tapestry elevates the best in our people and brands. We use our collective strengths to move our customers and empower our communities, to make the fashion industry sustainable, and to build a house that’s equitable, inclusive, and diverse. Individually, our brands are iconic. Together, we can stretch what’s possible.
Why Work With Us
We believe that difference sparks brilliance, so we welcome people and ideas from everywhere to join us in stretching what’s possible. At Tapestry, being true to yourself is core to who we are. When each of us brings our individuality to our collective ambition, our creativity is unleashed.
Gallery
Tapestry - Coach and Kate Spade Teams
Tapestry - Coach and Kate Spade Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
