Operating Vice President
"This is a really strong company and the people that you associate with and meet here are some of the most knowledgeable people in the industry. As you get to know co-workers, bosses, and people that report to you, you're making lifelong friends."
 | Why did you join Macy's Logistics & Operations and why have you stayed? |  |
I joined Macy's, Inc. as part of Macy's in New Jersey, working my way up until I became the operations liaison with the Macy's organization. From growing up with Macy's, I knew the notoriety that the nameplate carries. It really meant a lot to me in my youth and I was very excited to be part of the organization. The greatest enjoyment that I have in doing this job is the people I work with. You get to meet people from every walk of life and learn about them and their background. It's been wonderful for me.
| What do you enjoy most about what you do and what are your overall job responsibilities? | |
I work in the distribution center. Basically, we are the connection between the vendors and the stores. The vendors ship the products to us and we sort it and ship it to the stores. I enjoy my work because you can see results. There is a tangible beginning and end to the process. It's great to see the end result - getting the product to the selling floor. Since we are so close to Macy's, Inc. stores, it's exciting to see the product in my distribution center one week and in the store the following week.
| What contribution do you make to your division and how does this contribute to the company's overall success? | |
Strategic thinking is my biggest contribution to the division. I feel that I am extremely resourceful in trying to decrease the amount of time it takes to process products we receive from vendors and deliver them to the stores. I ask myself, "How can we make this happen more efficiently?" Our greatest strength is partnering with the stores and finding out what they need from us and how we can make our operation more successful. It's the team aspect that is most important in this business.
| What has been your most memorable moment since joining the company? | |
I distinctly remember the first update meeting I had with the senior vice president of the company. At the time, he was responsible for the six west coast distribution centers. It was refreshing to see how grounded he was. I didn't expect that with someone at that level. He had been with the company for 20 years and had so much knowledge to share. I was impressed with his willingness to sit down and discuss the business with me. That made me realize what a great company Macy's, Inc. is.
| How has the training you've received since joining the company benefited you? | |
The training has helped me strengthen my management and people skills. The best part about it is that it helps you in all aspects of your life. It's applicable even in dealing with friends and problems at home. The training has no boundaries in terms of applications. It focuses in on people skills: conversations, negotiation skills, time management, etc. I truly see the benefits of the training in both my work life and my private life.
| 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? | |
I think it's very important. We just recently finished the Bag Hunger drive which I found very rewarding. Eight of us from this location went to help sort 3,987 pounds of food. It's great to be able to help an organization not only with donations of food and money but with manpower as well. I think it's awesome that the company is so supportive of this. We all left work early that day to go and participate. We work and live in this community so it's important to give something back.
| What do you like best about your work environment? | |
The people and the atmosphere are what I like best. Everyone is very team oriented and focused on doing the right thing. We know what our goals are and we all work together to accomplish them. The focus and drive that every person has here is just wonderful.
| What personal interests/hobbies do you have and how do you balance them with your work? | |
I spend a great deal of time with family and friends. I also love to exercise after work because it gives me a chance to reflect on the day. Being able to share some of my work experiences with family and friends puts a whole different perspective on things. Macy's, Inc. is very supportive of a balanced personal and work life. We just had a family picnic day where everyone in our building brought their family to a big picnic on the beach. It was a great experience.
| 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? | |
This is a really strong company and the people that you associate with and meet here are some of the most knowledgeable people in the industry. As you get to know co-workers, bosses, and people that report to you, you're making lifelong friends. The ability to move around and experience different aspects of the business really helped me move ahead with my career goals. From growing up and spending most of my life in North Jersey, Macy's, Inc. gave me the opportunity to see Arizona, California and Florida. Joining Macy's, Inc. was the best decision that I ever made and I'd be hard pressed to find someone here who feels otherwise.
| What do you see in the future for Macy's, Inc. and specifically for Macy's Logistics & Operations? | |
This company is going to grow and grow and grow. With our new chairman, there is a vision and a drive that is passed down to everyone in the company. We are trying to evolve and create a boundary-less environment. From the merchant to the vendor to the store sales associate to someone in my distribution center, we are all part of a completed circle. The sky's the limit for this company.
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