Assortment Associate - HOME

Associate, Assortment Planner

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 traditionsabout inspiring stores and irresistible productsabout 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.

The Associate, Assortment Planner, reports directly to the Director of Assortment Planning and plays a crucial role in supporting the strategic development and execution of buying frameworks for a designated category. This position requires collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with top-line strategic and financial objectives. The ideal candidate contributes to various aspects of assortment planning, from pre-market analysis to in-market quantification and post-market adjustments.

Overall:

• Collaborate with the Director to develop and execute the buying framework for the designated category.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to align with strategic and financial objectives.
• Assist in conducting thorough analyses of pre-market, in-market, and post-market activities.
• Support crafting and implementing Private Brand line plans, considering historical performance and adoption rates.
• Contribute to style outs to ensure alignment with customer preferences and market trends.
• Assist in overseeing the allocation process, confirming store matrix, and applying Min/Max at the Style level.
• Foster a culture of excellence and collaboration within the Assortment Planning team.
• Foster an environment of acceptance and respect that strengthens relationships, and ensures authentic connections with colleagues, customers, and communities

Pre-Market:

• Support the development of by-store sales and turn plans aligned with annual financial targets.
• Assist in inspecting receipt flow plans, addressing variances with Financial Planning.
• Contribute to defining clustering strategies considering channel, tier/climate differences by category.
• Participate in building and maintaining category C-1 in coordination with the Divisional Merchandise Manager (DMM).
• Support the assessment of current season performance and determining future season replenishment assortment.
• Assist in establishing bottoms-up targets for key-item volume drivers, trends, and newness.
• Provide support in owning Private Brand line plans, adjusting based on historical category performance.
• Assist in evaluating breadth, depth, and productivity of the assortment.
• Collaborate in finalizing the 'shopping list' composition prior to market appointments.

In-Market:

• Collaborate in quantifying Buyer's curated assortment by brand, style, channel, and store cluster.
• Ensure alignment with cluster financial targets and assortment framework.
• Assist in identifying duplication across styles and vendors during the style out process.

Post-Market:

• Support conducting style outs in NuOrder or within the market cycle based on system capabilities.
• Contribute to addressing key style out questions, including customer attributes and tier differences.
• Assist in finalizing necessary changes after style out and Buy Review; support sending orders for allocation.

Key Process Updates:

Pre-Market:

• Participate in discussions led by the Senior Director, Assortment Planning, reviewing each Assortment Wedge.
• Contribute to discussions on top goals, risk and upside assessment, clustering strategy, breadth and depth philosophy, and key door initiatives.

In-Market:

• Collaborate within the Assortment Planning team to support the quantification process.
• Be prepared to attend market appointments in the absence of the Assortment Director.

Post-Market:

• Provide support in conducting style outs in NuOrder, addressing key questions related to customer attributes and tier differences.
• Assist in confirming the store matrix and applying Min/Max at the Style level during the allocation process.

Allocation:

• Contribute to confirming the store matrix as the first part of the allocation process.
• Assist in applying Min/Max at the Style level to ensure appropriate depth.
• Support in EDI allocations to vendors at least 30 days prior to In-DC dates.
• Collaborate in inspecting receipt availability before releasing orders.
• Foster an environment of acceptance and respect that strengthens relationships, and ensures authentic connections with colleagues, customers, and communities.
• In addition to the essential duties mentioned above, other duties may be assigned.

Skills You Will Need:

Analytical Skills: Proficiency in analyzing sales data, turn plans, and financial targets to inform assortment planning decisions.

Collaboration and Communication: Ability to collaborate within the Assortment Planning team and contribute to a culture of excellence and collaboration.

Retail Knowledge: Understanding of retail concepts, including assortment planning, private brand line plans, and allocation processes.

Quantitative Skills: Proficient in quantitative analysis, including building and maintaining category C-1, assessing current season performance, and determining future season replenishment assortment.

Planning and Organization: Strong organizational skills to assist in the development of by-store sales and turn plans, inspection of receipt flow plans, and management of key processes in pre-market, in-market, and post-market phases.

Technology Proficiency: Familiarity with relevant tools and systems, such as NuOrder and EDI systems, to conduct style outs, confirm store matrix, and apply Min/Max at the Style level.

Decision-Making: Strong decision-making skills, particularly in finalizing necessary changes after style out and Buy Review and supporting in sending orders for allocation.

Who You Are:

• Candidates with a bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in a related field are encouraged to apply.
• Regularly required to sit, talk, hear; use hands/fingers to touch, handle, and feel. Occasionally required to move about the workplace and reach with hands and arms. Requires close vision.
• 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.

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.