Position Purpose:

The Manager, Store Planning is responsible for partnering with Merchandising, Operations and In-Store Environment and other various stakeholders to collaborate on business strategy, build & refine new concepts, and develop & maintain planning criteria. This role is responsible for managing a team of store planning associates in all aspects of store plan design, review and approval ensuring plans adhere to our format objects, deliver an excellent in store experience and maximize space productivity.

Key Responsibilities:

• 20% Directs the completion of projects, plan reviews, and field requests keeping appropriate individuals, including internal and external partners, advised of current status and critical issues to ensure customers' needs are met.
• 20% Develops and communicates creative solutions and best practices to improve overall productivity, project execution and departmental efficiencies. Directs the daily activities of assigned staff ensuring projects are delivered on-time to a high level of quality.
• 20% Conducts post-project analysis to provide recommendations to improve the performance of future projects. Analyze financial information and market trends for assigned projects and incorporates learnings to plan development to maximize space productivity and drive an exceptional in-store experience.
• 20% Ensures adherence to all building regulations, corporate and internal standards (ADA, safety, fire code, CAD standards, compliance elements, bay guides/fixtures, file structure integrity). Assist in the development of training programs for the overall Store Planning team.
• 10% Ensure team maintains accuracy in all information in accordance with company standards. Provide coaching and development for Senior Store Planners and Store Planners and contractors to ensure quality standards are upheld.
• 10% Consistently visit a variety of competitors to review for industry "best practices" that can be incorporated into our format presentations.

Direct Manager/Direct Reports:

• Position Reports to Sr. Manager, Store Planning
• This position has 2-3 Direct reports

Travel Requirements:

• Typically requires overnight travel less than 10% of the time.

Physical Requirements:

• Most of the time is spent sitting in a comfortable position and there is frequent opportunity to move about. On rare occasions there may be a need to move or lift light articles.

Working Conditions:

• Located in a comfortable indoor area. Any unpleasant conditions would be infrequent and not objectionable.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be eighteen years of age or older.
• Must be legally permitted to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Retail/store merchandising experience
• Store operations experience
• Space planning knowledge
• Project Management experience
• The knowledge, skills and abilities typically acquired through the completion of a bachelors degree program or equivalent in a field of study related to the job.
• Minimum of 5 years Field Retail, Merchandising, Buying, store design or equivalent experience. Proficiency in Office applications required and -Certification in Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) system. Proficient of fixture and merchandise layout practices and procedures. Project or Team Management experience required. Strong attention to detail and sound analytical skills required. Excellent presentation, organization & communication skills.

Minimum Education:

• The knowledge, skills and abilities typically acquired through the completion of a bachelor's degree program or equivalent degree in a field of study related to the job.

Preferred Education:

• No additional education

Minimum Years of Work Experience:

• 5

Preferred Years of Work Experience:

• No additional years of experience

Minimum Leadership Experience:

• None

Preferred Leadership Experience:

• None

Certifications:

• None

Competencies:

• Store and macro space planning experience with emphasis in merchandising
• Space productivity analysis
• Computer-aided design/drafting skills (AutoCAD)
• Proficient with Microsoft applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Building codes including, but not limited to fire protection and ADA