Associate Buyer, Backstage - Beauty

About the Role

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

As a trusted, collaborative, and results-oriented leader, you will serve as a key business partner and change agent, leading through influence. Demonstrate professional maturity and industry credibility while navigating significant complexity. Comfort with evaluating and phasing out legacy approaches and a commitment to swift, visionary decision-making are crucial.

Responsibilities

• Make all purchasing decisions independently of the Buyer to satisfy customer demand and achieve sales, turn, and margin plans.
• Understand the competitive marketplace and pursue white-space opportunities aligned with company strategy.
• Competitive shop and determine actions to address competitive challenges.
• Identify product opportunities and provide input in product development to vendors.
• Support the Buyer in driving in-season business by influencing promotional strategies based on current needs.
• Attend frequent market appointments prepared with strategic assortment plans and product knowledge to support customer preferences.
• Set the vision and call to action for assortment-building opportunities in partnership with Planning, Pricing, and cross-functional teams.
• Collaborate with the planning partner to develop and execute assortment strategy.
• Develop a pre-season assortment vision tied to company priorities and insights from Planning Director counterparts.
• Partner with Financial Planning to ensure department-level financial targets support the assortment strategy.
• Decide on in-season changes for the department and vendors based on sales, margin, and turn forecasts from Financial Planning.
• Support the Financial Planning Director and Buyer in building seasonal strategy components based on targets.
• Provide the Buyer with category, class, and item performance analysis to assist in determining in-season item-level changes.
• Maintain an industry presence to foster connections, new business opportunities, and ideas for Macy’s Backstage.
• Cultivate strong and trusting vendor relationships by prioritizing win-win solutions and demonstrating creativity in negotiations.
• Communicate with vendors to ensure timely collection of MDAs, markdowns, and RTVs, partnering with Financial Planning for alignment.
• Rely on data analytics (PE and dynamic pricing) to develop POS and permanent pricing strategies, ensuring execution aligns with financial metrics.
• Review discount rates and sales performance in the promo planner, adjusting as needed to hit financial goals.
• Execute POS pricing in the promo planner using dynamic recommendations and manage permanent markdown execution in UPM.
• Foster an environment of acceptance and respect to strengthen relationships with colleagues, customers, and communities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in a related field.
• 3+ years of direct experience in buying, merchandising, or a related role.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability, statistical inference, fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions.
• Perform essential job functions including communication, collaboration, and use of office and computer systems.
• Ability to access and review written and electronic information, move within the work environment, and interact with workplace materials.
• Able to work a flexible schedule based on department and company needs.

Skills

• 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 to ensure successful adaptation.
• Visionary Thinking: Forward-thinking and innovative leadership to drive transformative strategies.
• Communication Skills: Effective communication with candor, valuing open debate to bring the best ideas to life.
• Growth Mindset: A growth-oriented mindset with the ability to coach teams in embracing opportunities.
• Strategic Planning: Experience in driving strategies and plans supporting a compelling core and curated assortment.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and performance-based incentives/bonuses.
• Comprehensive health and wellness coverage (medical, vision, dental, life, and disability insurance).
• 401(k) match to invest in your future.
• Paid time off and eight paid holidays.
• Continuous learning and leadership development opportunities.
• Merchandise discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program with mental health counseling and legal/financial advice.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Colleague Resource Groups for community building and volunteer opportunities.
• Annual merit review.