Associate Buyer, Backstage - Handbags, Accessories

About the Role

As an Associate Buyer at Macy’s Backstage, you will elevate Macy’s competitive position by buying merchandise to drive sales and profitability. You will curate a distinguished off-price assortment, seek out new and differentiating vendors, and collaborate closely with vendors and internal partners to achieve sales, gross margin, turnover, and pricing execution goals. This role requires a trusted, collaborative, and results-oriented leader who can navigate complexity, phase out legacy approaches, and drive swift decision-making with visionary thinking.

Responsibilities

• Make independent purchasing decisions 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 market appointments 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 assortment strategy.
• Decide on in-season changes for the department and vendors based on sales, margin, and turn forecasts.
• Support the Financial Planning Director and Buyer in building seasonal strategy components based on targets.
• Provide 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, and align with Financial Planning on in-season VMT input.
• 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, making adjustments to hit financial sales and margin goals.
• Execute POS pricing in the promo planner using dynamic recommendations and collaborate on 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.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and proficiency in using office and computer systems.
• Ability to access and review written and electronic information, move within the work environment, and interact with workplace materials.
• 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: Ability to drive transformative strategies and propel the 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.

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.
• Volunteer opportunities to make a difference.