Job Description

Job Overview

The Senior Manager, Trend Research & Forecasting leads macro and micro trend research, annual, seasonal, and quarterly trend vision, and enterprise storytelling for Macy's private and market brands in partnership with the Director of Trend.

This role requires a trend research expert with strong leadership skills who identifies, analyzes, and communicates macro trends, consumer behavior shifts, cultural influences, and emerging style trends across apparel, accessories, and home. The Senior Manager synthesizes insights from diverse sources into strategic ideas that support business needs and trend direction. This individual drives trend strategies that align with Macy's overall vision and customer base while leading trend research and forecasting for a specific business area.

The Senior Manager develops research strategies and facilitates collaborative ideation sessions, transforming insights into actionable concepts that inform brand and category-level design. Success in this role relies on strong storytelling, influence, and the ability to build trust to drive innovation and implement new ideas effectively.

What You Will Do

• Lead trend strategy, vision, and fashion application for specific focus areas in partnership with the Director of Trend.
• Support Macy's overall trend strategy through well-researched insights, aligned forecasts, and a coordinated team approach.
• Synthesize information from various sources into commercially viable ideas.
• Organize trend research tools and methodologies by monitoring emerging trends through marketplace analysis, data insights, travel, trend services, street style, runway shows, art, culture, and music.
• Contribute to the development of annual, seasonal, and quarterly trend forecasts, covering macro influences, color, fabric, artwork, silhouettes, styling cues, and video content across apparel, accessories, and home.
• Support enterprise-wide storytelling initiatives, big-idea moments, experience-driven concepts, and creative collateral that reinforce Macy's position as a modern department store.
• Manage relationships with external trend services and foster engagement with the fashion and design community, both internally and externally, in collaboration with the Director of Trend.
• Oversee time management, workflow planning, team collaboration, and cross-functional delegation to support the trend strategy and key business categories.
• Lead and influence design, merchandising, vendor partners, marketing, and editorial content teams through clear communication, compelling presentations, and expertise in trend research and future-focused thinking.
• Apply trend curve methodologies to ensure commercial relevance, customer alignment, and a balanced fashion pyramid.
• Advise design and merchandising teams on trend direction by brand, ensuring product design and selection accurately reflect the overall trend strategy.
• Collaborate with the Director of Trend on special projects and in-depth research initiatives.
• Foster an environment of acceptance and respect that strengthens relationships, and ensures authentic connections with colleagues, customers, and communities.
• In addition to the essential duties mentioned above, other duties may be assigned.

Skills You Will Need

Trend Research & Analysis: Expertise in identifying, analyzing, and synthesizing macro and micro trends, consumer behavior shifts, and cultural influences to inform strategy across apparel, accessories, and home

Strategic Thinking & Innovation: Ability to translate research insights into commercially viable ideas that align with Macy's overall direction, leveraging trend curve methodologies to balance fashion relevance and customer alignment

Storytelling & Influence: Strong ability to communicate trend insights through compelling narratives, visual storytelling, and engaging presentations to drive adoption and inspire cross-functional teams

Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: Proven experience in building relationships and working effectively with design, merchandising, marketing, vendor partners, and external trend services to execute trend strategies

Leadership & Team Development: Experience in leading and mentoring teams, fostering a collaborative and engaging culture, and coaching talent to develop expertise in trend research and forecasting

Project & Time Management: Ability to manage multiple workstreams, prioritize tasks based on business needs, and ensure timely execution of trend research and forecasting initiatives

Technical Proficiency: Skilled in Adobe Suite, Canva, Generative AI, and Excel, with the ability to organize and present research effectively

Resilience & Adaptability: High energy, tenacity, and the ability to quickly adapt to changing trends, business priorities, and competitive landscapes

Who You Are

• Candidates with a Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in a related field are encouraged to apply.
• 5-7 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.