Trend Research and Forecasting Associate - Womens

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, Trend Research & Forecasting supports the macro and micro trend research, annual, seasonal, and quarterly trend vision, and enterprise storytelling needs for Macy's private and market brands, partnering with the Senior, Trend Research & Forecasting.

As an emerging leader, the Associate focuses on a distinct area within a family of businesses, building relationship and ownership skills.

The role requires identifying, studying, and communicating macro trends, consumer behavior shifts, cultural influences, past and future zeitgeist impacts, and emerging style trends for Macy's, with a specific focus on apparel, accessories, and home. The trend researcher's natural curiosity allows them to synthesize information from various resources into actionable ideas that support the business and trend strategy. This individual effectively articulates trend forecasts and research that align with their focus area and customer base and supports the trend function for a family of businesses. They participate in research strategies and collaborative ideations, resulting in practical ideas for brand and category-level design work. Success in this role requires a strong ability to influence, tell compelling stories, and gain trust to implement new ideas.

What You Will Do

• Support trend strategy, vision, and fashion application for Macy's and individual areas of focus in partnership with the Senior, Trend Research and Forecasting.
• Experience in utilizing data analytic tools and synthesizing information from various resources into commercial ideas.
• Organize trend research functions and tools regarding emerging trends through curious observation, travel, trend service engagement, street style, runway, art, and music.
• Participate in the development of annual, seasonal, and quarterly trend forecast presentations, including macro influences, color, fabric, artwork, silhouette, and styling cues across apparel, accessories, and home.
• Proficient in creating or collaborating on highly visual presentations and videos that support enterprise-wide storytelling and big-idea moments, experience-led ideas, and broad-based creative collateral that elevate Macy's impact as a modern department store.
• Build and maintain relationships with external trend services and drive active engagement with the fashion and design community, both internally and externally, in partnership with the Director of Trend.
• Effectively manage time, plan individual workflow, and collaborate and communicate within the team.
• Collaborate with the trend team and cross-functional teams, including Design, Merchant, and Vendor Partners, through effective and consistent communication, presentation materials, and expertise in research and future-focused thinking.
• Utilize Trend Curve philosophies to ensure commercial application, customer-segment alignment, and fashion pyramid balance.
• Support design and merchants on trend direction by brand, ensuring product design and selection align with the proper interpretation of trend strategy in partnership with the Senior, Trend Research and Forecasting.
• Support and work with the Senior, Trend Research and Forecasting on special project requests.
• Foster an environment of acceptance and respect that strengthens relationships, and ensures authentic connections with colleagues, customers, and communities

Skills You Will Need

Trend Analysis and Research: Proficient in identifying, studying, and communicating macro trends, consumer behavior shifts, cultural influences, past and future zeitgeist impacts, and emerging style trends.

Data Analytics: Experience in utilizing data analytic tools to convert information into commercial ideas and the ability to read, assess, and organize data and opportunities.

Creative Presentation: Proficient in creating or collaborating on highly visual presentations and videos, with experience in Adobe Creative Suite, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and presentation software like XD, Figma, and Canva.

Communication and Collaboration: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong research and copywriting skills, and the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Design, Merchant, and Vendor Partners.

Project Management: Ability to manage multiple workstreams, prioritize based on business needs, and make decisions independently while working under general direction.

Customer Focus and Storytelling: Relentless customer focus, strong ability to influence, tell compelling stories, and gain trust to implement new ideas, supporting enterprise-wide storytelling and big-idea moments.

Technical Proficiency: Quick adopter of new technology and generative AI tools, proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and presentation software like XD, Figma, and Canva.

Leadership and Ownership: Focus on building relationship and ownership skills as an emerging leader, supporting trend strategy, vision, and fashion application for Macy's and individual areas of focus.

Who You Are

• Candidates with a bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in a related field are encouraged to apply. 3-5 years of 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.

What We Can Offer You

Join a team where work is as rewarding as it is fun! We offer a dynamic, inclusive environment with competitive pay and benefits. Enjoy comprehensive health and wellness coverage and a 401(k) match to invest in your future. Prioritize your well-being with paid time off and eight paid holidays. Grow your career with continuous learning and leadership development. Plus, build community by joining one of our Colleague Resource Groups and make a difference through our volunteer opportunities.

Some additional benefits we offer include:

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

Access the full menu of benefits offerings here.

About Us

This is a great time to join Macy's! Whether you're helping a customer find the perfect gift, streamlining operations in one of our distribution centers, enhancing our online shopping experience, buying in-style and on-trend merchandise to outfit our customers, or designing a balloon for the Thanksgiving Day Parade, we offer unique opportunities to be part of some of the most memorable moments in people's lives.

Join us and help write the next chapter in our story - Apply Today!

This job description is not all-inclusive. Macy's, Inc. reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. Macy's, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.

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