Associate Buyer, Backstage - Handbags, Accessories

Be part of an amazing story

Macy’s is more than just a store. We’re a story. One that’s captured the hearts and minds of America for more than 160 years. A story about innovations and traditions…about inspiring stores and irresistible products…about the excitement of the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, and the wonder of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. We’ve been part of memorable moments and milestones for countless customers and colleagues. Those stories are part of what makes this such a special place to work.

Job Overview

The Associate Buyer elevates Macy’s competitive position by buying merchandise to drive sales and profitability across Macy’s Backstage locations. Working closely with vendors, they curate a distinguished Macy’s off-price assortment and seek out new and differentiating vendors to satisfy customer demand. Focusing on achieving sales, gross margin, turnover, and pricing execution in the assigned area of the business, the Associate Buyer develops and implements strategies by vendor, collaborating with planning to analyze and respond to sales trends.

An Associate Buyer is known as a trusted, collaborative, and results-oriented leader, serving as a key business partner and change agent with the ability to lead through influence. Demonstrating professional maturity and industry credibility, the ideal candidate must navigate and lead effectively through significant complexity. A crucial aspect is the candidate's comfort and effectiveness in promptly evaluating and phasing out legacy approaches that no longer align with the current strategy. Equally valued is the candidate's reputation for visionary thinking and a strong commitment to swift decision-making.

What You Will Do:

• Make all purchasing decisions independently of Buyer that satisfies the customer demand to achieves sales, turn and margin plan.
• Understand competitive marketplace and pursues white space opportunities that align with company strategy.
• Competitive shop and determine the action necessary to address competitive challenges. Identify any product opportunities and provide suggestions and input in product development to vendors.
• Support Buyer to drive in-season business effectively by influencing promotional strategies based on current business needs.
• Attend frequent Market appointments prepared with strategic assortment plans and an understanding of product to support customer preferences.
• Set the vision and determine call to action for assortment-building opportunities in partnership with Planning, Pricing and Cross Functional partners.
• Collaborate with planning partner to develop and execute assortment strategy.
• Develop pre-season assortment vision that ties to company key priorities and insights from Planning Director counterparts.
• Partner with Financial Planning to ensure department-level financial targets support assortment strategy.
• Decide on in-season changes for the department and vendors based on sales, margin, and turn forecast from Financial Planning.
• Support the Financial Planning Director and Buyer in building seasonal strategy components based on targets.
• Provide Buyer with category, class, and item performance analysis to assist in determining in-season item-level changes to make.
• Maintain an industry presence that allows for connections, new business opportunities, and ideas at Macy’s Backstage. Represent and support the Macy’s and Macy’s Backstage brand while maintaining this presence.
• Cultivate strong and trusting vendor relationships by prioritizing win-win solutions. Demonstrate creativity and flexibility in negotiation approaches, whether celebrating successful agreements or gracefully declining proposals.
• Communicate with vendors to ensure timely collection of MDAs/markdowns/RTVs and partner with Financial Planning to ensure alignment with in-season VMT input.
• Rely on data analytics (PE and dynamic pricing) to develop POS and Perm pricing strategy and ensure execution is as intended, hitting financial metrics and driving sales and profitability.
• Review discount rate and sales performance in promo planner, making adjustments as needed to hit financial sales and margin goals.
• Execute both POS pricing in promo planner, using dynamic recommends, and work with the associate buyer on permanent markdown execution in UPM.
• Foster an environment of acceptance and respect that strengthens relationships, and ensures authentic connections with colleagues, customers, and communities

Skills You Will Need

Financial Business Acumen: Ability to understand and analyze financial aspects to make informed strategic decisions.

Retail Strategy and Tactics: In-depth knowledge of market trends, customer behaviors, and competitive landscapes.

Change Management: Comfort and effectiveness in leading teams through change ensuring successful adaptation.

Visionary Thinking: Ability to be a forward thinking and innovative leader with a vision to drive transformative strategies propelling family of business to new heights.

Communication Skills: Effective communication with candor, valuing open debate to bring the best ideas to life.

Growth Mindset: A growth-oriented mindset, coupled with the ability to coach teams in embracing growth opportunities.

Strategic Planning: Experience in driving strategies and plans supporting a compelling core and curated assortment.

Who You Are

• Candidates with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in a related field are encouraged to apply. 3+ years of direct experience.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference; apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• This role involves performing essential job functions such as communication, collaboration, and use of office and computer systems. Responsibilities include the ability to access and review written and electronic information, and to move within the work environment and interact with workplace materials as needed to carry out job responsibilities..
• Able to work a flexible schedule based on department and company needs.

What We Can Offer You

Join a team where work is as rewarding as it is fun! We offer a dynamic, inclusive environment with competitive pay and benefits. Enjoy comprehensive health and wellness coverage and a 401(k) match to invest in your future. Prioritize your well-being with paid time off and eight paid holidays. Grow your career with continuous learning and leadership development. Plus, build community by joining one of our Colleague Resource Groups and make a difference through our volunteer opportunities.

Some additional benefits we offer include:

• Merchandise discounts
• Performance-based incentives
• Annual merit review
• Employee Assistance Program with mental health counseling and legal/financial advice
• Tuition reimbursement

Access the full menu of benefits offerings here .

About Us

This is a great time to join Macy’s! Whether you’re helping a customer find the perfect gift, streamlining operations in one of our distribution centers, enhancing our online shopping experience, buying in-style and on-trend merchandise to outfit our customers, or designing a balloon for the Thanksgiving Day Parade, we offer unique opportunities to be part of some of the most memorable moments in people’s lives.

Join us and help write the next chapter in our story - apply today!

This job description is not all-inclusive. Macy's, Inc. reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. Macy's, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.

MERCH00