Associate Buyer, Backstage - Home Goods

Be part of an amazing story Macy’s is more than just a store. We’re a story. One that’s captured the hearts and minds of America for more than 160 years. A story about innovations and traditions…about inspiring stores and irresistible products…about the excitement of the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, and the wonder of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. We’ve been part of memorable moments and milestones for countless customers and colleagues. Those stories are part of what makes this such a special place to work. Job Overview The Associate Buyer elevates Macy’s competitive position by buying merchandise to drive sales and profitability across Macy’s Backstage locations. Working closely with vendors, they curate a distinguished Macy’s off-price assortment and seek out new and differentiating vendors to satisfy customer demand. Focusing on achieving sales, gross margin, turnover, and pricing execution in the assigned area of the business, the Associate Buyer develops and implements strategies by vendor, collaborating with planning to analyze and respond to sales trends. An Associate Buyer is known as a trusted, collaborative, and results-oriented leader, serving as a key business partner and change agent with the ability to lead through influence. Demonstrating professional maturity and industry credibility, the ideal candidate must navigate and lead effectively through significant complexity. A crucial aspect is the candidate's comfort and effectiveness in promptly evaluating and phasing out legacy approaches that no longer align with the current strategy. Equally valued is the candidate's reputation for visionary thinking and a strong commitment to swift decision-making. What You Will Do:

Make all purchasing decisions independently of Buyer that satisfies the customer demand to achieves sales, turn and margin plan. Understand competitive marketplace and pursues white space opportunities that align with company strategy. Competitive shop and determine the action necessary to address competitive challenges. Identify any product opportunities and provide suggestions and input in product development to vendors. Support Buyer to drive in-season business effectively by influencing promotional strategies based on current business needs. Attend frequent Market appointments prepared with strategic assortment plans and an understanding of product to support customer preferences. Set the vision and determine call to action for assortment-building opportunities in partnership with Planning, Pricing and Cross Functional partners. Collaborate with planning partner to develop and execute assortment strategy. Develop pre-season assortment vision that ties to company key 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 forecast from Financial Planning. Support the Financial Planning Director and Buyer in building seasonal strategy components based on targets. Provide Buyer with category, class, and item performance analysis to assist in determining in-season item-level changes to make. Maintain an industry presence that allows for connections, new business opportunities, and ideas at Macy’s Backstage. Represent and support the Macy’s and Macy’s Backstage brand while maintaining this presence. Cultivate strong and trusting vendor relationships by prioritizing win-win solutions. Demonstrate creativity and flexibility in negotiation approaches, whether celebrating successful agreements or gracefully declining proposals. Communicate with vendors to ensure timely collection of MDAs/markdowns/RTVs and partner with Financial Planning to ensure alignment with in-season VMT input. Rely on data analytics (PE and dynamic pricing) to develop POS and Perm pricing strategy and ensure