 Group ManagerBeth was promoted to Director, Accounts Payable. "You need to be flexible and open to change in this business. Don't be afraid of new ideas and new challenges that may come up. Our business is so dynamic that you have to be ready for anything."
 | Why did you join Macy's Logistics and Operations and why have you stayed? |  |
I like the different facets of our organization. Although we're a retail company, we deal with all aspects of the business. Macy's, Inc. is more than just what is in the stores. What we do here in Macy's Logistics and Operations affects the end result of what's actually happening in the stores. That is the most interesting part of my job - knowing that I impact the bottom line.
| What do you enjoy most about what you do and what are your overall job responsibilities? | |
I'm responsible for three different systems-driven areas. In systems, you have the ability to make changes and improvements when things aren't working right. That's what I really enjoy - being able to correct things to help the business run smoother. Knowing that I have the ability and the resources to make things happen is very rewarding.
| What contribution do you make to your division and how does this contribute to the company's overall success? | |
One of my areas of responsibility is vendor accuracy, making sure the vendors are shipping us what they say they are. I feel this has been my greatest contribution to Macy's, Inc. I've been involved in this process for several years. The divisions now have confidence in my group and the system we have in place. They know that if there is a problem, I'm going to find it and correct it. There are a lot of different things that the divisions have to worry about and accuracy in vendor shipments is one thing that they have more confidence in.
| What has been your most memorable moment since joining the company? | |
The first time I matched an invoice for $999,000 was a memorable experience. I was about to pay a check for this extraordinary amount and I wanted to make sure that this was okay. That was the first time it hit me that I was working for such a large corporation.
| How has the training you've received since joining the company benefited you? | |
I've completed a great deal of training. Here we continuously go through training to keep up to date on various systems and skills. The most important thing I've gotten out of training is the fact that every new course offers a reminder of the last training session that you can build on. That's what I find most beneficial - the reinforcement of training. Our day-to-day business and management is definitely improved by the training. I absolutely feel that I have grown as an employee because of the training that I received.
| 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? | |
We are big supporters of Partners in Time here in my group. One of our favorite local charities is the FreeStore. The FreeStore receives donations of non-perishable food that need to be sorted and organized. We hold challenges between different work groups that volunteer at the FreeStore to see which can get the most volunteers and how much food we can sort in the time we give there. It's great for camaraderie and team spirit. I see community involvement as an outlet to interact with co-workers outside of the office setting. Community involvement was honestly not something that I considered when joining the company. It was because of Macy's, Inc. that I began participating, and now it is something that I really enjoy.
| What do you like best about your work environment? | |
Our work environment is very flexible in both hours and dress. It's the kind of environment that fosters openness among co-workers. Our open door policy makes it easy to sit down with others and talk about any issues or problems you encounter. You'll see people literally bumping into each other and engaging in a conversation about something that leads to a solution that maybe wouldn't have been reached otherwise.
| What personal interests/hobbies do you have and how do you balance them with your work? | |
Family and friends are very important to me. I like the fact that I am able to leave work confident that I have contributed to a very large organization. I have a positive impact on the end result - the sale of merchandise. I feel good about what I'm doing and that enables me to go home and tackle whatever I have to do at home without worrying about 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? | |
Be flexible and open to change in this business. Don't be afraid of new ideas and new challenges. Our business is so dynamic that you have to be ready for anything. During my career, I've been open to taking on new projects and issues even if they did not fit within my job description. Those qualities have really helped me get ahead in this job. I would recommend that to anyone starting in this field.
| What do you see in the future for Macy's, Inc. and specifically for Macy's Logistics and Operations? | |
I see us as an organization that will continue to grow. We are always looking for ways to improve and get ahead of the competition. Our company uses the Six Sigma method that challenges us to look at all the facts before making a business decision. This helps us make rational decisions that help make us more successful. Macy's Logistics and Operations will continue to grow and develop as well. We get to work on a lot of new technologies and systems before the rest of the company and that helps the entire organization move forward.
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