JOB SUMMARY:

The Planning Manager supports the intake, feasibility analysis, and governance preparation of store reinvestment initiatives across a large, multi-site portfolio. This role ensures projects are clearly scoped, financially aligned, and operationally feasible before advancing into design and construction.

Working within a structured planning framework, the Planning Manager partners across Construction, Real Estate, Design, Merchandising, Facilities, Sourcing, Finance, and others to gather inputs, validate assumptions, and prepare projects for stage gate review. The role brings discipline to scope definition, sequencing, and risk visibility at the project level.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

• Coordinate project intake documentation and confirm required inputs are complete prior to review
• Develop and maintain standardized scoping templates by store type, program, and reinvestment tier
• Conduct preliminary feasibility assessments including scope validation, phasing considerations, and operational
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• Translate scope decisions into preliminary cost ranges in partnership with estimating and FP&A
• Establish and manage construction planning standards including permitting roadmaps, preconstruction schedules, phasing requirements, operational readiness criteria, and project execution assumptions to support predictable delivery outcomes.
• Evaluate permitting requirements, construction durations, resource availability, operational constraints, and market conditions to develop realistic project schedules and portfolio deployment plans.
• Prepare stage gate packages, including readiness checklists, risk summaries, and financial assumptions
• Track project level dependencies, sequencing constraints, and resource impacts
• Monitor and track capital project performance against approved budgets and timelines, providing regular reporting to senior leadership on project status, variances, and corrective actions
• Maintain and update project risk and change logs with quantified cost and schedule exposure
• Support portfolio level sequencing updates based on capacity, permitting timelines, and budget constraints
• Maintain accurate data within planning systems and reporting tools
• Generate recurring project level reporting on scope status, cost alignment, and risk indicators
• Participate in post implementation reviews and incorporate lessons learned into updated planning templates and standards
• Analyze post-implementation results to measure actual performance against projected outcomes, identifying lessons learned and best practices to inform future reinvestment decisions
• Create executive-level presentations and reports for leadership reviews, Board of Directors meetings, and strategic planning sessions that communicate reinvestment strategies and performance results

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

EDUCATION: Bachelors/4 Yr Degree

YEARS OF RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE: 5+ years

YEARS OF MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE: NA

CERTIFICATIONS / LICENSES (One of the following preferred):

·         Project Management Professional, PMP

·         Lean Six Sigma, Green Belt or Black Belt

·         Certified ScrumMaster, CSM or PMI Agile Certified Practitioner, PMI ACP

·         Certified Construction Manager, CCM

·         PMI Risk Management Professional, PMI RMP

SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

•  Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel including financial modeling, scenario analysis, and complex formulas

•  Proficiency with project management software tools, including Smartsheet, Quickbase, Microsoft Project, or similar platforms

•  Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to synthesize large datasets and extract actionable insights

•  Proficiency in PowerPoint for creating compelling executive-level presentations that tell a clear story with data

•  Strong stakeholder management skills with ability to influence decision-makers at all organizational levels

•  Knowledge of retail store operations, construction processes, and project management principles

•  Experience with business intelligence tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or similar data visualization platforms

•  Exceptional communication skills with ability to translate complex financial concepts for diverse audiences

•  Strategic thinking capability with ability to balance short-term operational needs with long-term portfolio optimization

•  Detail-oriented approach with strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities effectively

•  Adaptability and agility to thrive in a dynamic environment with changing business needs and evolving priorities

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the individuals assigned to this job. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.  Management reserves the right to amend and change the duties and responsibilities of this job to meet business and organizational needs, as necessary.                 

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