Title: Global Sales Director
Location: New York, NY (Full-Time)
Merlette New York is a renowned fashion brand that embodies refined elegance and empowered femininity. Since our founding in 2016 by designer Marina Cortbawi, we have dedicated ourselves to creating garments that combine shape, texture, and detail into a seamless display of grace. Each piece is designed with intention, using all-natural, high-quality materials and elevated with bespoke finishes such as embroidery and smocking. Our commitment to timelessness, versatility, and responsible design has earned Merlette a loyal and global following.
We are seeking a strategic and experienced Global Sales Director to lead our multi-channel revenue strategy across wholesale, direct-to-consumer retail, e-commerce, and brand partnerships. This key leadership role reports directly to the Founder and CEO and is based at Merlette's Tribeca, NY, office and showroom. The role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape the next chapter of growth for Merlette's global presence.
Scope of the Role:
The Global Sales Director will oversee all revenue-driving channels, including: Wholesale: Key accounts, speciality stores, department stores, and distributor relationships (notably in Japan and Asia).
Retail: Strategy and operations of Merlette's two physical locations - Montecito and Tribeca, including hiring and team leadership.
E-Commerce & Drop Ship: Growth and oversight of and third-party e-commerce platforms. Brand Collaborations: Identification and execution of meaningful partnerships that align with brand ethos.
Key Responsibilities:
Omnichannel & Retail Leadership:
•Lead a global, multi-channel sales strategy integrating wholesale, retail, e-commerce, and partnerships.
•Manage operations, performance, staffing, and experience at Merlette's Montecito and Tribeca stores.
•Hire, train, and manage retail staff, cultivating a high-performing and service-driven in-store team.
•Oversee e-commerce sales and drop ship partnerships, optimizing inventory flow, merchandising, and platform relationships.
•Plan and execute the wholesale and retail event calendar, including seasonal activations, trunk shows, and in-store events to drive customer engagement and traffic.
•Ensure a consistent, elevated brand experience across all touchpoints.
Wholesale Leadership:
•Lead global wholesale operations, including international agents, key accounts, and distributor relationships (with a focus on Japan).
•Grow business across Asia, Europe, and the U.S., while nurturing strategic partnerships with department stores and independent retailers.
•Manage showroom strategy and appointments for New York and Paris markets.
•Forecast seasonal sales and deliver detailed weekly reporting and post-market recaps.
•Partner with the Design and Founder on merchandising, pricing, and product assortment planning, using
data to inform decision-making.
•Drive off-price strategy while protecting brand equity.
•Lead brand collaboration planning, managing partnership rollouts across sales channels.
Cross-Functional & Strategic Collaboration:
•Collaborate with Logistics, Finance, and Operations to ensure timely, accurate deliveries and account
support.
•Work closely with Marketing and PR to plan and promote brand activations, collaborations, and retail events.
•Provide seasonal competitive and trend analysis to inform positioning and product strategy.
•Develop sell-in tools, including line sheets, digital assets, and showroom materials.
•Align seasonal planning across departments to ensure smooth execution from development to delivery.
•Leadership & Team Management
•Lead a cross-functional sales team across wholesale, retail, and digital.
•Recruit, mentor, and manage top talent across sales and store teams, fostering a high-performance and collaborative culture.
•Represent Merlette at market weeks, trade shows, and key industry events, serving as a brand ambassador.
•Set annual sales budgets, targets, and performance KPIs by region and channel.
Ideal Candidate Profile:
•5+ years of experience in sales leadership, ideally in luxury or advanced contemporary fashion
•Experience managing wholesale, retail, and e-commerce channels, including a proven track record of
revenue growth
•Strong understanding of Japanese and broader Asian markets, including distributor management
•Experience in merchandising and product pricing, in collaboration with creative and design leadership
•Excellent communication, negotiation, and analytical skills
•Entrepreneurial, solutions-oriented, and data-driven
•Familiar with tools including JOOR, NuOrder, Apparel Magic, and Shopify
•Willingness to travel seasonally for markets, retail visits, and events
Why Join Merlette:
At Merlette, we offer a generous benefits package that supports your health, financial wellness, and professional growth. You'll join a tight-knit, mission-driven team that's reimagining luxury fashion with purpose and integrity.
Merlette New York is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome individuals of all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and equitable workplace.
Salary Range: $120,000 - $150,000 USD annually, based on experience