Buyer

Macy's; New York (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Macy’s, Inc. is seeking a strategic Buyer in New York to drive omnichannel assortment, margin, and growth. You will lead pre-season and in-season planning, build strong vendor partnerships, and align with Digital, Private Brands, and Planning counterparts to maximize sales and profitability.

You will evaluate trends with Trend Research, collaborate with Finance and Merchandising Planning, and guide product development while ensuring a seamless shopping experience across stores and online.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in a related field and 5+ years of related experience.
• Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence cross-functionally.
• Experience in merchandising, assortment planning, and vendor relations is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the assortment strategy to maximize sales, margin, and turnover.
• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships.
• Define pre-season and in-season merchandising vision aligned with company priorities.
• Analyze trends and opportunities with trend research and key vendors.
• Collaborate with Planning and Digital teams to meet financial targets and brand strategy.
• Guide product development, color/sizing opportunities, testing new categories, and marketing alignment.
• Make in-season adjustments based on sales and forecast data.
• Present strategies and resolve issues with finance partners.
• Review performance and identify reorder opportunities for items and categories.
• Represent Macy’s in industry events and vendor meetings.
• Coordinate with marketing and digital teams for pricing, content, and promotions.

Skills

Communication Skills

Leadership Abilities

Interpersonal Skills

Creative Thinking

Technical Proficiency

Team Development

Empowerment

Collaboration

Resilience

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

MS Office

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 Buyer drives omnichannel sales, margin, turn, and growth in their area of responsibility and supports total company objectives. They manage pre-season and in-season assortment building, including assortment selection and assortment driver strategies. The Buyer develops and executes a strategic vision with a progressive, customer-centric approach, delivering on sales and profit objectives. Building trust with their teams and key collaborators is fundamental. Demonstrating curiosity in a broader and more complex business environment, transcending the traditional competitive landscape, is crucial to re-engaging customers. Other duties are performed as assigned.

The Buyer is known as a trusted, collaborative, and results-oriented leader, business partner, and change agent who leads through influence, possessing professional maturity and industry credibility. The ideal candidate is comfortable and effective leading through significant complexity, quickly evaluating and sun-setting legacy approaches that no longer align with the strategy. They are known for both vision and an equally strong orientation for speed.

What You Will Do

• Lead and manage the development of the assortment, including assortment selection and strategies, to support the high-level assortment vision and maximize sales, margin, and turnover.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with vendors.
• Develop a pre-season assortment vision aligned with company priorities and insights from Digital, Private Brands, and Planning Director counterparts.
• Evaluate upcoming season trends in partnership with Trend Research and Forecasting and key vendors, recommending key trends and opportunities.
• Partner with Financial Planning and Merchandise Planning to ensure department-level financial targets support assortment strategy.
• Collaborate with Private Brands and Merchandise Planning to develop assortment vision guiding product development strategy, color/sizing opportunities, testing new products/categories, and alignment on marketing/digital strategy.
• Make in-season changes for the department and vendors based on sales, margin, and turnover forecasts from Financial Planning.
• Present ROF strategy and problem resolution plan in partnership with Financial Planning.
• Review category, class, and item performance analysis by Associate and Assistant Buyers, determining in-season item-level changes and reorder opportunities.
• Maintain industry presence to foster connections, identify new business opportunities, and generate ideas for Macy's. Represent and support the Macy's brand while engaging in industry activities.
• Conduct regular meetings with vendors to discuss current business and plan for the future.
• Cultivate trust and collaborative relationships with the supplier community, in collaboration with Trend Research and Forecasting.
• Establish pre-season pricing strategy with input from the Digital Director and partner with the Pricing team on in-season adjustments.
• Collaborate with the Merchandise Marketing team and Digital Director to set content and promotional strategies, including FOB events.
• Coordinate vendor marketing and co-op requests, collaborating with the Merchandise Marketing team and receiving input from the Digital Director.
• Develop and lead pre-season and in-season merchandising vision and strategy to create a seamless shopping experience for customers both in stores and online.
• Maximize sales, margin, and turnover by establishing and communicating a store merchandising strategy that optimizes presentation and salability.
• Foster an environment of acceptance and respect that strengthens relationships, and ensures authentic connections with colleagues, customers, and communities

Skills You Will Need

Communication Skills: Proficient in open and continuous communication, adept at keeping others informed, and capable of presenting information clearly and concisely.

Leadership Abilities: Excellent leadership skills, with a dynamic, transformational approach and a passion for driving results. Ability to lead teams effectively in a changing and ambiguous business environment. A dynamic and transformational leader passionate about their work, inspiring others and advocating for talent within the organization.

Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal skills, facilitating collaboration across functional lines and at various organizational levels.

Creative and Strategic Thinking: Ability to think creatively, strategically, and technically, enabling innovative solutions to business challenges.

Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in MS Office computer programs is essential for the role.

Team Development: Track record of developing diverse and forward-thinking teams, fostering talent with a company-wide mindset and prioritizing colleague and business needs. Skilled at building engaged and highly functional teams and partnerships, cultivating a culture that encourages fresh thinking and connectedness at all organizational levels.

Empowerment and Independence: Ability to maintain focus on vision and outcomes, empowering team members to make decisions independently without traditional hierarchical approval.

Collaborative Approach: Collaborative and supportive style with a strong ability to establish trust and build relationships across all levels and functions of the organization.

Resilience and Energy: Resilient, tenacious, and high-energy, capable of bouncing back rapidly from adversity and driving forward momentum in challenging situations.

Who You Are

• Candidates with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in a related field are encouraged to apply. 5+ years of related experience.
• 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.