Assortment Associate-Home

Macy's; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

M Macy’s seeks an Associate, Assortment Planner to support the development and execution of buying frameworks for a designated category. You will partner with cross‑functional teams to align with strategic and financial goals, contributing to pre‑market, in‑market, and post‑market activities.

The role includes shaping Private Brand line plans, supporting style outs, and contributing to the allocation process, with a focus on customer preferences and market trends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Strong analytical, collaboration, and communication skills are essential.
• Experience with assortment planning, private brand line plans, and allocation processes preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Director to develop and execute the buying framework for the designated category.
• Work with cross-functional teams to align with strategic and financial objectives.
• Assist in pre-market, in-market, and post-market analyses and planning.
• Support Private Brand line plans and style outs to align with customer preferences and market trends.
• Assist in overseeing allocation processes, store matrix, and Min/Max at Style level.
• Foster a collaborative culture within the Assortment Planning team.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Collaboration & Communication

Retail Knowledge

Quantitative Skills

Planning & Organization

Technology Proficiency

Decision Making

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

NuOrder

EDI systems

Job description

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, 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.

What You Will Do

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.
• 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.
• 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.