 Selling Manager"We have a great team in the building. It's more like a home - you come into a second family and there's a fun atmosphere. That is one of our strengths - I know I can come to work and feel comfortable with the people I'm working with."
 | Why did you join Bloomingdale's and why have you stayed? |  |
I was looking for a new job, and had decided that I'd like to try retail. I came to the recruiting center and was hired on the spot as a sales associate in the children's department. After that, I fell in love with retail and with Bloomingdale's. I've stayed because I love what I'm doing and Bloomingdale's has treated me very well.
| What do you enjoy most about what you do and what are your overall job responsibilities? | |
As a merchandise manager the thing I enjoy most is the creative side of it - I get to display the clothing in a visually appealing manner. It's so much fun because you try to make the store look beautiful. I feel that this store is my home and I take pride in that because I come in and look at the store and know that I'm the one that makes it look the way it is. My job responsibilities as a merchandise manager are merchandising new receipts as they come in, taking care of all of the price changes, the damages and the look of the merchandise in my area.
| What contribution do you make to your division and how does this contribute to the company's overall success? | |
I work to create a partnership between the sales and merchandise management. By encouraging the sales team to work with my team, we are able to work together to reach our goal of beating sales plan. We are able to contribute to their success and to customer service by taking care of the floor. By making the floor easy to shop and organized our sales associates are able to better serve our guests.
| What has been your most memorable moment since joining the company? | |
Recently, I got the Best of the Best Award and was named as the executive of the year for my store. I got to go to New York for two days and it was an unforgettable experience. Not one word can describe how well Bloomingdale's recognizes their associates and their managers. They treated us like royalty and we stayed in a luxurious hotel. There was a very special awards ceremony which was like the Oscars of Bloomingdale's. Being there I felt like the senior executives really appreciated the contributions that I'd made to my store.
| How has the training you've received since joining the company benefited you? | |
The training that I received over the years has mostly been hands-on. I've had several different direct supervisors in the last nine years from whom I've learned. The important training that I've received was by having the support of great mentors in the past who have guided me through the different roles I've had in the store. Even the training I received as a sales associate still applies to my current job.
| 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'm a member of the Partners in Time committee. We recently finished the annual Bag Hunger campaign and have been involved with a foundation whose mission is diversity. I'm also involved with my daughter's school. Being involved with my daughter and other people her age is really my passion right now. I'm hoping that through Partners in Time, I'll be able to find opportunities to work with youth.
| What do you like best about your work environment? | |
We have a great team in the building. It's more like a home - you come into a second family and there's a fun atmosphere. That is one of our strengths - I know I can come to work and feel comfortable with the people I'm working with.
| What personal interests/hobbies do you have and how do you balance them with your work? | |
First and foremost, I'm a mother and wife, and that keeps me very busy. I like to go home every day and spend time with my family. I have a great schedule that really helps me balance my duties at home and work. Making lists and planning relentlessly helps me accomplish each task I need to complete every day. Being organized gives me the peace of mind that allows me to have a much-needed balance in my life.
| 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? | |
You really have to love what you are doing. You have to create a fun environment so you enjoy coming to work every day. I've been able to get into this position that I really love by doing quality work. I'm always learning from the people around me and have created partnerships with my managers. I'm very vocal and share my opinions, which they trust. I'm also very good at following the directives I'm given from all my superiors and carrying those ideas into my daily tasks.
| What do you see in the future for Macy's, Inc. and specifically for Bloomingdale's? | |
I think that Bloomingdale's will only get better. It is truly a store like no other. It will continue picking great assortments. It has such a strong belief in its people and will continue to be the employer of choice. I think that with stores like Bloomingdale's under its wing, Macy's, Inc. will continue to reach greater heights.
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