Buying, Planning, Creative & Fashion Office

Opportunity is always in season at Ross.

Located in New York City, Downtown Los Angeles and Boston, our Buying Offices are the heart of our business. Our Buying and Planning teams are constantly on the pulse of what’s trending, delivering hot and hard-to-find products our customers love at the value they expect. Fast-paced and challenging, this area of our business is ideal for candidates who love the thrill of a great deal and are driven to grow their careers.

Our CEO started as a buyer here

We've almost tripled the size of our Buying and Planning team to over 900 in the past 10 years

We offer clear career paths and learning journeys

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Fashion Your Future:

Buying Career Path

Assistant Buyer I
Assistant Buyer II
Associate Buyer
Buyer
Divisional Merchandising Manager

Assistant Buyer I

  • Build a foundation of merchant skills, start learning how we manage our business and gain basic product knowledge.
  • Learn what to look for and provide analysis of key merchandise data points.
  • Partner with vendors to ensure shipments are delivered.

Assistant Buyer II

  • Work directly with vendors, identify trends and present to Buyer.
  • Comparison shop the market to develop advanced product knowledge and draw insights.
  • Analyze the business to generate merchandise recommendations.

Associate Buyer

  • Own and drive a business while collaborating with peers across the rack.
  • Find the next big thing and assess merchandise mix to continually improve assortments.
  • Build strong relationships with vendors and begin to negotiate.

Buyer

  • Develop and execute merchant strategies to exploit trends and product availability.
  • Own and build multiple businesses in product class.
  • Develop and enhance strategic vendor relationships and negotiate effectively.
  • Develop high-performance teams.

Divisional Merchandising Manager

  • Provide creative leadership and strategic direction to team.
  • Direct selection and purchase of merchandise for stores.
  • Identify fashion trends which translate to the Ross customer.
  • Provide direction in sales planning, pricing and merchandise assortment.

Planning Career Path

Location Planner I
Location Planner II
Associate Planning Analyst
Planner
Location or Chain Manager
Director

Location Planner I

  • Build a foundation of planning skills and learn retail and business processes.
  • Build business analytical skills to maximize sales potential and inventory productivity.
  • Start learning how we manage our business, including planning steps, performance-to-plan and same-store sales.

Location Planner II

  • Participate in planning training program to support growth and progression.
  • Prepare and deliver performance recaps to cross-functional teams.
  • Apply enhanced skills to develop location plans and present recommendations to managers.

Associate Planning Analyst

  • Partner with merchants and management to identify opportunities and risks.
  • Develop unit classification plans.
  • Take responsibility for planning and trending revisions, from classification to division level.

Planner

  • Own the development of seasonal plans in partnership with merchants.
  • Monitor weekly and monthly performance targets and plans.
  • Collaborate with peers across the rack.
  • Perform independent analysis and recommend course of action to drive profitable sales.

Location or Chain Manager

  • Own and build multiple businesses in product class.
  • Establish pre-season chain plans at class level and in-season forecasting of chain plan.
  • Effectively manage analysis, sales trends, gross margin, inventory and open-to-buy levels.
  • Grow high-performance teams and develop strategic planning initiatives.

Director

  • Lead strategic initiatives for regional and chain plans, and ensure the development of accurate and consistent plans, revisions and projects.
  • Guide management team in the analysis of sales trends, gross margin, inventory and open-to-buy levels.
  • Provide resolution and high-level analysis of plan roll-ups, identify risks/opportunities and optimally manage the business.
Lindsey

Lindsey

Assortment Analyst

Ross provides a very positive environment with opportunities to work on personal development, helping Associates flourish and move up in their careers.

Perla

Perla

IT Manager, Store Systems

My team keeps me going. They inspire me to bring the best version of myself, every day.

Gurmeet

Gurmeet

Group Senior Vice President, GMM, Housewares/Tabletop/Food/Non-Traditional Home

I am so proud of how my team shows up every day and rolls up their sleeves to drive great results. What I appreciate most about them is that we have such diverse thought process across our buying team, and it allows us to land on really solid plans that are well thought out and executable.

Angela

Angela

Buyer

I have been with the company almost 25 years because, for me, there is no other retailer that offers what Ross does. I love that every day is a holiday at Ross when it comes to buying, and that the company makes it happen when it comes to big deals.

Nicole

Nicole

Executive Assistant

I have always been proud to work for an organization that upholds a respectful working environment and emphasizes the importance of family time and quality-of-life benefits. The company cares about the quality of work we produce, but it also cares about the health and well-being of its employees.

Danielle

Danielle

Associate Director, Planning

My colleagues and team members keep me at Ross. Throughout my career, I have always encountered such wonderful individuals with whom I have been able to develop great connections to help drive the business.

Victoria

Victoria

Assistant Buyer

I have worked for other retailers, but this is the first time I genuinely feel supported and respected. I'm proud to be part of a company that values its Associates. Store visits are one of my favorite parts of the job. It's so eye-opening to see product in the stores and see what opportunities we have.

Tom

Tom

Manager, Merchandise Operations

Since joining Ross as a Senior Analyst in Merchandise Operations, I’ve been included in numerous projects that have allowed me to work with many cross-functional areas and meet countless determined team members. This has allowed me to expand my business knowledge and grow my career with a promotion to Manager in Merchandise Operations. Come join the team and grow your career with Ross!

Kim

Kim

Buyer

I joined Ross a year ago. I am grateful to be part of such an incredible organization that promotes career growth and development. I was given extensive training right from the start which allowed me to transition seamlessly into my area. The culture at Ross is what I enjoy the most. I feel supported by my team members and empowered to my own decisions to drive the business. Come join us!

Shan

Shan

Merchandise Planner

Five years ago, I decided to take a leap of faith and start my career with Ross. Although I never envisioned myself in retail, it was a decision I will never regret. Ross loves to invest in employees and “Grow Our Own.” Since the moment I arrived, I have been surrounded by people who have my best interest at heart and want to see me succeed. With the company’s rapid growth, I am provided with the opportunity to do just that. Come join us and find out what new doors can open for you too!

Sarah

Sarah

Assistant Buyer II

I never expected an organization to be so welcoming to new team members. Not only was I taken in so quickly, but the company is open to fresh perspectives and mobility. I have already gotten exposure to multiple areas which would not have been possible without such an open culture and supportive management team. Although it may sound cliché, I feel so lucky to work at Ross. Ross truly values their Associates and I can honestly say I’ve felt respected and supported from day one!

Angela

Angela

VP Talent Management

I am excited to be part of the Ross team as VP, Talent Management where I get to do what I love in collaboration with the best talent in the business. I was drawn to Ross because of its continued growth, welcoming culture, and structured onboarding experience, setting me up for short and long-term success as a leader. I am thrilled to be working for a growing company with a team of smart people who are focused not only on the success of the company but the success of the team.

Buying, Planning, Creative & Fashion Office Benefits

We care about you and your health, financial and personal wellness.
In addition to providing a variety of health insurance plans, Ross offers:

Associate store discount plus periodic double discounts

Personal Medical Plan Concierge and Telemedicine Visits

College discounts

Opportunity to purchase an additional week of vacation

Up to 4% Company-matching 401(k) plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Charitable donations matched by Ross Stores Foundation

Triple-tax advantaged Health Savings Accounts

Enhanced maternity and bonding leaves with up to 100% income replacement

Up to $5,000 assistance per adoption

Valuable voluntary benefits package

Summer Friday office hours

Learn more about careers in our Buying, Planning, Creative & Fashion office.