Assistant Buyer Contemporary

The Assistant Buyer supports the Buying team in driving sales, margin, turn, and growth by devising and recommending assortment strategies and supporting assortment optimization. This role demands strong business acumen and an understanding of Merchandising. It relies on translating product performance data into recommended advertising strategies and featured product selections to maximize Macy’s sales, inventory, and bottom line profitability in a changing retail environment.

Recognized as a trusted, collaborative, and results-oriented business partner, the Assistant Buyer excels at devising and recommending assortment strategies at department, class, and vendor levels.

What You Will Do

• Contribute to in-season forecasting and Rolling Operating Forecast (ROF).
• Collaborate weekly with the Financial Planning team to provide insights for forecasting.
• Offer detailed performance analysis to the Buying Director to assist in making in-season item-level changes.
• Maintain and update receipts on order for Return on Investment (ROI) and review them with the Buying Director.
• Ensure orders align with financial plans and manage receipt flow to meet financial plan requirements.
• Develop assortment strategies for key items with input from the Buying Director.
• Monitor the performance of key items and provide recommendations to maximize sales revenue.
• Participate in style out sessions to independently present assortments and recommend and execute assortment edits.
• Develop purchase orders and collaborate with the Buying Director, Merchandise Planning, and vendors to secure merchandise.
• Negotiate with vendors for adjustments in on-order quantities and ship dates, and resolve shipping issues while informing the Buying Director.
• Serve as the primary contact with Vendor Community, Marketing, Visual, Stores, and Pricing teams.
• Communicate with vendors to ensure timely collection of Markdown Allowance (MDA), markdowns, and Return to Vendor (RTV), and collaborate with Financial Planning to align with in-season Visual Merchandising and Trading (VMT) input.
• Work with the Pricing team on pricing strategy and in-season adjustments.

Skills You Will Need

Business Acumen: Strong understanding of business principles and the retail industry, with a focus on driving sales, margin, turn, and growth.

Merchandising Expertise: Ability to devise and recommend assortment strategies and support assortment optimization, with knowledge of product performance data and its translation into advertising strategies and featured product selections.

Collaboration and Communication: Recognized as a trusted and collaborative business partner, with excellent communication skills for effectively liaising with various teams and presenting information clearly and concisely.

Analytical Skills: Capacity to think creatively, analytically, strategically, and technically to analyze performance data and make informed recommendations.

Leadership and Interpersonal Skills: Strong leadership, facilitation, and interpersonal skills to work effectively across functional lines and at various levels within the organization.

Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Outlook, along with knowledge of MS Office computer programs.

Financial Understanding: Ability to interpret financial information accurately to align orders with financial plans and manage receipt flow accordingly.

Negotiation Skills: Proficiency in negotiating with vendors for adjustments in quantities, ship dates, and resolving shipping issues.

Who You Are

• Dedicated to fulfilling ideals of diversity, inclusion, and respect that Macy’s aspires to achieve every day in every way.
• Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in a related field are encouraged to apply. 1-2 years of related experience.
• Regularly required to sit, talk, hear; use hands/fingers to touch, handle, and feel. Occasionally required to move about the workplace and reach with hands and arms. Requires close vision.
• Able to work a flexible schedule based on department and company needs.