Associate Designer - Woven

Job Overview

The Associate, Designer exudes dynamic and passionate creativity while proficiently understanding categories, trends, and customer preferences. Collaborating closely with people leaders and senior design professionals, they actively contribute to cohesive product presentations, strategically decide on styles, materials, and colors, and employ Adobe and CLO programs for design development. The role extends beyond technical skills, placing emphasis on cross‑functional alignment, active participation in meetings, and responsiveness to customer feedback.

As an emerging leader, the Associate Designer inspires a one‑team mindset, encourages creative thinking, and navigates change with resilience and optimism, thereby making impactful contributions to Macy’s design community.

• Develop robust skills in researching categories, trends, and customer preferences, with the ability to effectively communicate findings.
• Create original designs as a motivated and passionate designer.
• Collaborate with people leaders to produce cohesive product presentations, including boards, tear sheets, CADS, and samples to sell the collection to counterparts.
• Work closely with the Senior Designer/Design Director on the development and execution of product designs that align with overall product strategy and merchandise objectives.
• Select and approve styles, materials, trims, and colors that fit into the program and style plans, with support from people leaders.
• Develop flat mechanical sketches for design development packages and provide feedback to assistant designers on sketches and development packages (where applicable).
• Review and provide feedback on development samples in partnership with people leaders.
• Take responsibility for approving strike‑offs, samples, and other development materials.
• Utilize Adobe and CLO programs for style, color, and pattern development.
• Adhere to and contribute to prioritizing the seasonal time and action calendar for the area of responsibility.
• Maintain industry knowledge, representing and supporting the Macy’s brand while building and maintaining relationships.
• Actively participate in meetings with cross‑functional partners.
• Foster relationships and communicate regularly with cross‑functional partners and vendors to gather input and expand knowledge.
• Collaborate with the Tech team to ensure correct specifications are used for sample development and attend all fit sessions with Technical Design and Design Teams.
• Review customer feedback and adjust designs based on reviews.
• Grow assistant designers (where applicable), lead peers, manage up, and gain influence across the organization.
• Inspire, motivate, and engage with a one‑team mindset.
• Engage the team by evaluating current practices and encouraging creative thinking about how things could be more effective and efficient.
• Participate in and contribute ideas in a clear, confident, and composed manner.
• Take risks and celebrate risk‑taking regardless of the outcome.
• Possess a collaborative, consultative style with a strong ability to establish trust and build relationships across all levels and functions of the organization.
• Demonstrate resilience, tenacity, and high energy, with the ability to rapidly bounce back from adversity.
• Embrace change with realistic optimism and persist through challenges and setbacks caused by change.
• Foster an environment of acceptance and respect that strengthens relationships, and ensures authentic connections with colleagues, customers, and communities.

• Creative Design: Create original designs with motivation and passion, showcasing a strong creative vision and the ability to bring innovative ideas to fruition.
• Collaboration and Presentation: Collaborate effectively with people leaders to produce cohesive product presentations, utilizing boards, tear sheets, CADS, and samples to compellingly sell the collection to counterparts.
• Product Development and Decision‑Making: Work closely with the Senior Designer/Design Director on the development and execution of product designs, ensuring alignment with overall product strategy and merchandise objectives. Demonstrate the capability to select and…