Buyer - Private Brand Fashion Jewelry

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Buyer - Private Brand Fashion Jewelry

🔹 Company: Macy's

🔹 Location: New York, New York, United States

🔹 Job Type: Full time

🔹 Category: Retail

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-05-01

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Driving omnichannel sales, margin, turn, and growth in the area of responsibility
• Managing pre-season and in-season assortment building, including assortment selection and assortment driver strategies
• Developing and executing a strategic vision with a progressive, customer-centric approach
• Building trust with teams and key collaborators, demonstrating curiosity in a broader and more complex business environment

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on execution, with a focus on driving results through strong leadership and collaboration.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead and manage the development of the assortment, including assortment selection and strategies, to support the high-level assortment vision and maximize sales, margin, and turnover.

✅ Develop and maintain strong relationships with vendors, fostering connections, identifying new business opportunities, and generating ideas for Macy's.

✅ Develop a pre-season assortment vision aligned with company priorities and insights from Digital, Private Brands, and Planning Director counterparts.

✅ Evaluate upcoming season trends in partnership with Trend Research and Forecasting and key vendors, recommending key trends and opportunities.

✅ Collaborate with Financial Planning and Merchandise Planning to ensure department-level financial targets support assortment strategy.

✅ Collaborate with Private Brands and Merchandise Planning to develop assortment vision guiding product development strategy, color/sizing opportunities, testing new products/categories, and alignment on marketing/digital strategy.

✅ Make in-season changes for the department and vendors based on sales, margin, and turnover forecasts from Financial Planning.

✅ Present ROF strategy and problem resolution plan in partnership with Financial Planning.

✅ Review category, class, and item performance analysis by Associate and Assistant Buyers, determining in-season item-level changes and reorder opportunities.

✅ Establish pre-season pricing strategy with input from the Digital Director and partner with the Pricing team on in-season adjustments.

✅ Collaborate with the Merchandise Marketing team and Digital Director to set content and promotional strategies, including FOB events.

✅ Coordinate vendor marketing and co-op requests, collaborating with the Merchandise Marketing team and receiving input from the Digital Director.

✅ Develop and lead pre-season and in-season merchandising vision and strategy to create a seamless shopping experience for customers both in stores and online.

✅ Maximize sales, margin, and turnover by establishing and communicating a store merchandising strategy that optimizes presentation and salability.

✅ Foster an environment of acceptance and respect that strengthens relationships, and ensures authentic connections with colleagues, customers, and communities

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of the fashion jewelry market, trends, and customer preferences, as well as the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with vendors and internal teams.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in a related field

Experience: 5+ years of related experience

Required Skills:

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong leadership abilities, with a dynamic, transformational approach and a passion for driving results
• Excellent interpersonal skills, facilitating collaboration across functional lines and at various organizational levels
• Strong creative and strategic thinking abilities, enabling innovative solutions to business challenges
• Proficient in MS Office computer programs
• Ability to build and develop diverse and forward-thinking teams, fostering talent with a company-wide mindset and prioritizing colleague and business needs
• Strong resilience and energy, capable of bouncing back rapidly from adversity and driving forward momentum in challenging situations

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the fashion jewelry industry
• Fluency in additional languages

ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, experience in the fashion jewelry industry and fluency in additional languages may provide a competitive advantage for this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $80,000 - $120,000 per year (Estimated based on industry standards for a Buyer role with 5-10 years of experience in the retail industry)

Benefits:

• Merchandise discounts
• Performance-based incentives
• Annual merit review
• Employee Assistance Program with mental health counseling and legal/financial advice
• Tuition reimbursement

Working Hours: Full-time, with a flexible schedule based on department and company needs

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Buyer role with the given experience level. Actual salary may vary based on factors such as company performance, individual performance, and market conditions.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Retail, specifically in the fashion and jewelry sectors

Company Size: Macy's is a large company with over 10,000 employees, providing a diverse and dynamic work environment

Founded: 1858, with a rich history and strong brand recognition

Company Description:

• Macy's is America’s store for life, delivering quality fashion at affordable prices to customers at approximately 640 locations in 43 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam, as well as to customers in more than 100 international destinations through leading e-commerce site macys.com.
• Macy's inspires fashion exploration and discovery through the most desired family of exclusive brands for her, for him, for the home, and via its dynamic mobile and social platforms.
• Macy's offers unique opportunities to be part of some of the most memorable moments in people’s lives, such as the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Company Specialties:

• Retail
• Fashion
• Jewelry
• E-commerce

Company Website: http://www.macysjobs.com?rx_source=linkedincompanypage

ASSUMPTION: Macy's is a well-established retailer with a strong brand and a diverse product offering, providing numerous opportunities for career growth and development.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level to senior, with potential for growth into leadership roles

Reporting Structure: The Buyer reports to the Director of Buying and works closely with various internal teams, such as Merchandise Planning, Private Brands, and Financial Planning

Work Arrangement: On-site, with a flexible schedule based on department and company needs

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression into senior buying roles or leadership positions within the buying organization
• Expansion into related roles, such as merchandise planning or private brand management
• Broadening of responsibilities to include additional categories or product lines

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within the buying organization and related functions.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Macy's flagship stores, such as Herald Square in New York City, are internationally renowned and preeminent destinations for tourists, offering a dynamic and vibrant work environment

Office Location(s): 151 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001, US

Geographic Context:

• New York City is a major fashion hub, providing ample opportunities for networking and industry engagement
• The city offers a diverse and multicultural environment, with a wide range of cultural attractions and recreational activities
• New York City has a competitive job market, with numerous opportunities for professional growth and development

Work Schedule: Full-time, with a flexible schedule based on department and company needs

ASSUMPTION: Working in a flagship store in New York City offers a unique and exciting work environment, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with the HR department
• In-depth interview with the hiring manager and/or other team members
• Final interview with the Director of Buying or another senior leader

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and vision
• Leadership and team-building skills
• Industry knowledge and market trends
• Communication and interpersonal skills

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant industry experience and achievements in your resume and cover letter
• Demonstrate your understanding of the fashion jewelry market and Macy's brand in your application materials
• Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills

ATS Keywords: Buyer, Private Brand, Fashion Jewelry, Retail, Merchandising, Assortment Planning, Vendor Management, Strategic Vision, Leadership, Collaboration, Communication, Retail Industry, Fashion Trends

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a strong focus on industry experience, strategic thinking, and leadership skills.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Retail-specific software for assortment planning, vendor management, and inventory tracking
• Data analysis and visualization tools for performance tracking and reporting

ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and retail-specific software is essential for this role, with data analysis and visualization tools being beneficial for performance tracking and reporting.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Customer-centric focus
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Innovation and continuous improvement

Work Style:

• Fast-paced and dynamic work environment
• Strong focus on results and performance
• Opportunities for professional growth and development

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment?
• Are you comfortable working collaboratively with cross-functional teams to drive results?
• Do you have a strong customer-centric focus and a passion for fashion and jewelry trends?

ASSUMPTION: Macy's values a customer-centric focus, collaboration, and innovation, with a fast-paced and dynamic work environment that offers opportunities for professional growth and development.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a large and diverse assortment of products, requiring strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Balancing the need for innovation and trendiness with the need for consistent and reliable product offerings
• Navigating a competitive and ever-changing retail landscape, with a strong focus on performance and results
• Working in a high-pressure environment, with a strong focus on meeting sales, margin, and turnover targets

ASSUMPTION: This role presents significant challenges, including managing a large and diverse product assortment, balancing innovation with reliability, navigating a competitive retail landscape, and working in a high-pressure environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other buying roles in the fashion jewelry industry, this role may offer a broader range of responsibilities and a more dynamic work environment
• Macy's is a well-established retailer with a strong brand and a diverse product offering, providing numerous opportunities for career growth and development
• This role may offer more opportunities for leadership and strategic decision-making compared to entry-level or associate buyer roles

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a broader range of responsibilities and a more dynamic work environment compared to other buying roles in the fashion jewelry industry, with numerous opportunities for career growth and development at Macy's.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a strategic vision for the private brand fashion jewelry assortment, driving sales, margin, and turnover growth
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with vendors, fostering connections, identifying new business opportunities, and generating ideas for Macy's
• Managing in-season changes for the department and vendors based on sales, margin, and turnover forecasts from Financial Planning

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects reflect the strategic, collaborative, and results-driven nature of the buyer role at Macy's.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does this role fit into the broader buying organization and company strategy?
• What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within the buying organization and related functions?
• How does Macy's support work-life balance for its employees?
• What are the key challenges facing the fashion jewelry industry, and how does Macy's approach them?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions help applicants understand the role's priorities, fit within the organization, growth opportunities, work-life balance, and industry challenges.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant industry experience and achievements
• Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
• Research the fashion jewelry market and Macy's brand to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the role
• Follow up with the hiring manager or HR department one week after your final interview to express your continued interest in the position

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.