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Home >> Profiles of Success >> Director, Operations >> Beth |
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Beth |
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 Director, Operations"When you work in a company this big there are so many places to go and so many different avenues to pursue. Be open to that, work hard and don't be afraid to take risks and expose yourself to new things."
 | Why did you join Macy's Logistics and Operations and why have you stayed? | |
I worked for Broadway which was a company that Macy's, Inc. acquired and I came with them. I have stayed with Macy's, Inc. because there are so many opportunities for you in a variety of areas. If you start working in the stores, that doesn't mean your whole career will be working there. There are any number of areas in the company where you can go.
| What do you enjoy most about what you do and what are your overall job responsibilities? | |
Without a doubt, I enjoy the people most. I love working with such a diverse group of people that have a common goal. Over the years, I have met many people in a variety of different positions, but their focus is always on the customer. I manage the office which schedules the new receipts and is also responsible for accurately booking merchandise into the accounts payable system. I am also in charge of the perpetual inventory management program in the facilities. It basically makes sure the pieces are where they belong so when a customer wants something, we know exactly where to go to get it. We also manage shortage.
| What contribution do you make to your division and how does this contribute to the company's overall success? | |
In this position I really ensure that we are being financially responsible with booking accurately and that we account for inventory correctly. By doing this, I am helping the company's profitability by managing the company's resources and assets appropriately. More importantly, managing the inventory correctly ensures that goods are there when the customer wants them.
| What has been your most memorable moment since joining the company? | |
I got my master's degree while I was working as a retail expense manager. When I graduated, the company looked for a bigger job and challenge for me to take on. It was a very good feeling knowing the company had confidence in me and that they appreciated my accomplishment, finding me an opportunity to use the skills that I spent the previous two years working to acquire. They were giving me a real-life opportunity to put that to use and develop my career to the next level.
| How has the training you've received since joining the company benefited you? | |
It has helped me on a couple different levels. First, the company is very good at providing training in technical ways such as using computer programs better. But they also provide training on soft skills, such as managing people. It keeps you very well rounded and also gives you exposure to different groups of people that you normally don't have the opportunity to interact with. You could be a brand new manager sitting in a training class with a vice president and you get all the benefit of that person's experience. Macy's, Inc. recognizes that one of its biggest assets are the people that work here. Macy's, Inc. wants to nurture and grow them. I think that will always be a big focus of the company.
| Is community involvement important to you, have you been involved in any projects in your division and was this something you considered when joining the company? | |
It is important to me because I think everybody wants to give something back. Prior to coming here I had always donated to St. Jude Medical Center, but you get a little more hands-on experience here. We adopted Bronson House, which is a community organization that serves under privileged families. At Christmastime, we get wish lists from adopted families and we are able to provide gifts for these families that they otherwise would not have received. It is an awesome feeling to see people who are so appreciative of what you do and it makes a huge difference. The culture here at Macy's, Inc. isn't centered on just one event or holiday. The thing that I like about Macy's, Inc. is it brings community involvement down to a more personal level. Instead of the company doing just good things at the corporate level, you actually get to contribute as an individual.
| What do you like best about your work environment? | |
I like the people. We all work very hard but we manage to have fun in our job, too. You get exposure to a lot of different people and you learn something from everyone you work with. You can tell that everyone genuinely cares about their co-workers. Macy's, Inc. looks at who is working for them and makes it a great experience.
| What personal interests/hobbies do you have and how do you balance them with your work? | |
In addition to spending time with family and friends, I am a country music fan and go to a lot of concerts. Balancing work and personal life is really important because it can be very easy to let your career take over every aspect of your life. The company doesn't want you here 100 percent of the time; they want you to have a life outside of work.
| What advice would you give to a new employee joining the company in a position similar to yours? What helped you establish yourself and move ahead with your career goals? | |
New employees need to know that the sky's the limit. I have watched so many people grow and develop their careers into higher positions in this company. They need to realize that even if you're starting in one area, that doesn't mean your career has to stay there. When you work in a company this big there are so many places to go and so many different avenues to pursue. Be open to that, work hard, don't be afraid to take risks and expose yourself to new things. You never know what you will learn from them or where they will take you.
| What do you see in the future for Macy's, Inc. and specifically for Macy's Logistics and Operations? | |
Having come from a company that failed financially, one of the great things about Macy's, Inc. is that it's a thriving, evolving company. It's very willing to change itself and be proactive. It looks at what is coming down the road and adapts to those changes. For that reason I see Macy's, Inc. being a very successful company. I think the company's investment in technology takes Macy's Logistics and Operations to amazing places and allows us to accomplish more things and be more effective and efficient at our jobs. With the consolidation of the home store, I see many opportunities for Macy's, Inc. to be the destination for home and furniture.
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