Associate Buyer, Backstage - Home Goods

About the Role

As an Associate Buyer at Macy’s Backstage, you will elevate Macy’s competitive position by curating and purchasing merchandise to drive sales and profitability. You will work closely with vendors to develop a distinguished off-price assortment, seek new and differentiating vendors, and implement strategies to achieve sales, gross margin, turnover, and pricing execution. This role requires a trusted, collaborative, and results-oriented leader who can navigate complexity, phase out legacy approaches, and make swift decisions.

Responsibilities

• Make independent purchasing decisions to satisfy customer demand and achieve sales, turnover, 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 for vendor product development.
• 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 strategies.
• 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 departments and vendors based on sales, margin, and turnover 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, 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, aligning with in-season VMT input.
• Use 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 meet financial 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.
• Comfort with essential job functions including communication, collaboration, and use of office/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 analyze financial aspects and 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 and 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: 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, disability insurance).
• 401(k) match to invest in your future.
• Paid time off and eight paid holidays.
• Merchandise discounts.
• Annual merit review.
• Employee Assistance Program with mental health counseling and legal/financial advice.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Leadership development and continuous learning opportunities.
• Colleague Resource Groups for community building.
• Volunteer opportunities to make a difference.