Senior Manager, Trend Research and Forecasting - Home

About the role

The Senior Manager, Trend Research & Forecasting leads macro and micro trend research, annual, seasonal, and quarterly trend vision, and enterprise storytelling for Macy’s private and market brands in partnership with the Director of Trend.

Responsibilities

• Lead trend strategy, vision, and fashion application for specific focus areas in partnership with the Director of Trend.
• Maintain Macy’s overall trend strategy through well-researched insights, aligned forecasts, and a coordinated team approach.
• Synthesize information from various sources into commercially viable ideas.
• Organize trend research tools and methodologies by monitoring emerging trends through marketplace analysis, data insights, travel, trend services, street style, runway shows, art, culture, and music.
• Contribute to the development of annual, seasonal, and quarterly trend forecasts, covering macro influences, color, fabric, artwork, silhouettes, styling cues, and video content across apparel, accessories, and home.
• Support enterprise-wide storytelling initiatives, big-idea moments, experience-driven concepts, and creative collateral that reinforce Macy’s position as a modern department store.
• Manage relationships with external trend services and foster engagement with the fashion and design community, both internally and externally, in collaboration with the Director of Trend.
• Oversee time management, workflow planning, team collaboration, and cross-functional delegation to support the trend strategy and key business categories.
• Lead and influence design, merchandising, vendor partners, marketing, and editorial content teams through clear communication, compelling presentations, and expertise in trend research and future-focused thinking.
• Apply trend curve methodologies to ensure commercial relevance, customer alignment, and a balanced fashion pyramid.
• Advise design and merchandising teams on trend direction by brand, ensuring product design and selection accurately reflect the overall trend strategy.
• Collaborate with the Director of Trend on special projects and in-depth research initiatives.
• Foster an environment of acceptance and respect that strengthens relationships, and ensures authentic connections with colleagues, customers, and communities.

Requirements

Regularly required to sit, talk, hear; use hands/fingers to touch, handle, and feel. Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of up to 25 pounds. Requires close vision. Able to work a flexible schedule based on department and company needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in a related field.
• 5-7 years of experience.

Skills

• Trend Research & Analysis: Expertise in identifying, analyzing, and synthesizing macro and micro trends, consumer behavior shifts, and cultural influences to inform strategy across apparel, accessories, and home.
• Strategic Thinking & Innovation: Ability to translate research insights into commercially viable ideas that align with Macy’s overall direction, leveraging trend curve methodologies to balance fashion relevance and customer alignment.
• Storytelling & Influence: Strong ability to communicate trend insights through compelling narratives, visual storytelling, and engaging presentations to drive adoption and inspire cross-functional teams.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: Proven experience in building relationships and working effectively with design, merchandising, marketing, vendor partners, and external trend services to execute trend strategies.
• Leadership & Team Development: Experience in leading and mentoring teams, fostering a collaborative and engaging culture, and coaching talent to develop expertise in trend research and forecasting.
• Project & Time Management: Ability to manage multiple workstreams, prioritize tasks based on business needs, and ensure timely execution of trend research and forecasting initiatives.
• Technical Proficiency: Skilled in Adobe Suite, Canva, Generative AI, and Excel, with the ability to organize and present research effectively.
• Resilience & Adaptability: High energy, tenacity, and the ability to quickly adapt to changing trends, business priorities, and competitive landscapes.