Overview:
As the Prota Fiori Sales Manager, you will be responsible for all sales-related functions for the direct-to-consumer business through events, retail partnerships, and specialty stores, with a strong focus on sales growth and ensuring alignment with our luxury customer base. This role is primarily sales-driven and goal-oriented, centered around setting and achieving sales targets, managing direct-to-consumer events, and positioning Prota Fiori in elevated distribution channels (specialties, clubs, etc.) across key markets. You will report directly to the CEO, be supported by seasonal interns from Columbia MBA, and work cross-functionally with Prota Fiori Advisory.
The ideal candidate will be results-driven, with strong knowledge and appreciation of luxury footwear and clientele, an understanding of the competitive landscape, and an ability to build and manage sales strategies from the ground up. We are looking for someone with an entrepreneurial mindset—resourceful, creative, and outside-the-box thinker. Luxury footwear experience is preferred. The role requires hands-on selling, training retail partners, building and managing key relationships with both VICs and wholesale partners, and ensuring exceptional execution and delivering results of all sales initiatives.
This is an opportunity to take an existing client base and foundational selling strategy, maximize the company’s extensive network to build distribution, and grow the Prota Fiori community. We envision this person growing with Prota Fiori as a foundational team member, working cross-functionally with advisors, existing team and MBA associates. This retainer-based role includes healthcare benefits, dental coverage, accrued equity, and requires 2-3 days a week in the New York office. Travel for store appointments and events is required, with approved expenses covered by the company.
Key Responsibilities:
Brand Ambassadorship
- Serve as a brand ambassador of Prota Fiori, embodying the brand's mission, values, ethos, and sustainability mission.
- Lead product training and knowledge seminars for retail partners, sales associates, and internal teams.
- Build a network of Prota Fiori ambassadors by educating key stakeholders on the brand's craftsmanship, sustainable materials, and Italian heritage.
- Conduct in-store and virtual training sessions and workshops to ensure partners effectively communicate Prota Fiori’s story to clients.
Sales Strategy
- Work closely with the CEO to review and manage sales budgets, projections, and lead generation initiatives for direct-to-consumer and wholesale distribution, ensuring targets are met and exceeded.
- Analyze financial data to adjust sales strategies based on performance metrics and market trends.
Direct-to-Consumer Sales & Events
- Develop and implement lead generation strategies to attract and convert high-value clients through direct-to-consumer activations.
- Identify and establish brand partnerships for co-hosted events that align with Prota Fiori’s price point, market positioning, and sustainability values (e.g., shoe shows, retail pop-ups hosted by stylists, local community influencers).
- Manage event planning and drive sales performance at private shopping events.
- Provide retail store associates and partners with brand books before events.
- Maximize and grow the existing client base into a strong, engaged community to ensure long-term client retention and loyalty.
- Provide personalized, high-touch service to clients, handling inquiries, post-sales follow-ups, and relationship-building efforts.
- Develop and nurture relationships with influencers, stylists, and industry professionals to expand Prota Fiori’s brand presence via direct-to-consumer and events.
- Utilize Shopify for direct-to-consumer order management at events.
- Manage WMS (internal logistics platform) to ensure seamless order fulfillment.
- Leverage Endear (CRM platform) for high-touch clienteling and VIP outreach—this platform will store all client information and facilitate personalized communication and follow-ups.
- Work cross-functionally with interns who will use Mailchimp for targeted mass communications and promotional campaigns (e.g., event announcements, product launches).
VIC (Very Important Customers)
- Develop and implement lead generation strategies to attract and convert high-value clients through direct-to-consumer activations.
- Implement luxury gifting initiatives, including flower and birthday gifting, to enhance client engagement.
- Provide personalized styling advice and exclusive previews of new collections.
- Organize exclusive events and shopping experiences to strengthen client loyalty.
- Utilize Endear CRM for tracking client interactions and facilitating personalized communication.
Wholesale & Specialty Store Distribution
- Execute wholesale sales and lead generation strategy focused on premium specialty retailers to secure elevated independent specialty store partnerships and premium competitive brand positioning.
- Manage relationships with top-tier specialty stores, ensuring Prota Fiori is well-positioned in key luxury markets.
- Lead sales appointments for in-stock and new product collections, driving both sell-through and expansion opportunities.
- Create and maintain detailed sales reports, sell sheets, and performance analytics.
- Train retail associates at partnered stores on product knowledge, brand storytelling, and customer engagement strategies.
- Monitor store performance, ensuring inventory aligns with demand and replenishment opportunities are optimized.
- Track sales performance, identify bestsellers, and assess missed sales opportunities.
- Ensure seamless product deliveries and inventory management in coordination with the warehouse.
- Support ad hoc projects as needed, ensuring brand materials (e.g., look books, sales tools) are provided to partners.
Candidate Profile:
- Entrepreneurial mindset—ability to problem-solve, think creatively, and build from ground up.
- Resourceful and solutions-oriented, with a proactive approach to achieving sales targets.
- Proven track record in luxury sales, with experience in women’s footwear or luxury preferred.
- Ability to communicate effectively, work independently with guidance from the CEO, and be proactive in driving initiatives forward.
- Highly results-driven, with a strong focus on brand positioning, revenue growth, and relationship management.
- Strong interpersonal and networking skills, with the ability to engage high-net-worth clients and retail partners with confidence and sophistication.
- Experience in managing sales pipelines, setting and achieving goals, and scaling luxury distribution channels.
- Strong understanding of the luxury retail market, distribution strategies, and direct-to-consumer event execution.
- Proficiency in Shopify, WMS, Endear CRM, and Mailchimp is preferred.
- Excellent presentation and communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Passionate about sustainability and aligned with Prota Fiori’s mission and values.
This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, high-touch luxury environment, enjoys driving sales through strategic events and wholesale relationships, and is eager to position Prota Fiori as a leading brand in the luxury footwear market.
Be Part Of The Team:
- Actively participate and execute the Prota Fiori mission via enhancing knowledge in brand values, sustainability, products, tailoring and company standards
- Play an active role on the team to achieve the best quantitative and qualitative results
- Participate in the recognition of team success and working together enthusiastically and cross functionally with all team members to meet the common goals
- Complying with the attendance of Prota Fiori’s company schedule and strategy
- Maintain a professional and impeccable image and follows company standards
- Ensure personal image, appearance and behavior reflects the company values, showing enthusiasm, commitment and initiative to be the perfect leader by example
- Represent an ambassador of the brand, always maintain and promote proactive attitude, actively participating and cooperate with team, acting with pride
ABOUT US
PROTA FIORI is the first of its kind - a female founded women’s luxury footwear brand designed and manufactured with state-of-the-art sustainable materials including upcycled apple skins made in Italy with best in class partners using Italy's unique combination of artisanal craftsmanship and production technology that has made it the world's leader in luxury footwear.
Using plant-based fibers and environmentally friendly materials to design timeless shoes that are both aesthetically stunning and exceedingly comfortable, the brand is founded on a commitment to make a positive impact in our fight against food waste, responsible fashion design and production and climate change without compromising quality and style.
ADVISORY BOARD
Jessica Sibley, CEO, Time
Marc Hruschka, CEO, Graff North America
Sandro Gastaldi, CFO, illy cafe North America
Guiseppe Abatista, Group Legal, Tax and IP Consultant, Ferragamo Group
Stephanie Cozzi, former VP Wholesale Footwear & Accessories Giorgio Armani
Beth McFadden, AVP Marketing and Communications, Panerai
Ralph Vogel, Managing Director, Coppermine Capital
Greenberg Traurig overseeing all legal affairs
@prota_fiori