Store Planner - Senior

Job Title: Senior Store Planner

Contract Duration: 1 year, possible extension

Location: Marlborough, MA (ONLY LOCAL CANDIDATES WILL BE CONSIDERED)

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (2 days onsite)

Pay Range: $42 - $44/hr

Summary

The Senior Store Planner is a highly skilled planning resource within the Store Planning team, responsible for supporting the successful execution of new stores, relocations, expansions, remodels, and special projects across all Client chains. This role provides expertise throughout the entire project lifecycle, from site evaluation and pre-development planning through final fixture planning and architectural criteria development.

The Senior Store Planner manages a diverse portfolio of projects while serving as a technical resource to the broader team. Working closely with Real Estate, Construction, Store Operations, Design, landlords, architects, and consultants, this role develops planning solutions that support business objectives, maintain brand standards, and ensure successful project execution.

Responsibilities Site Evaluation & Pre-Planning

• Lead shell reviews and evaluate sites for new stores, relocations, expansions, remodels, and special projects.
• Analyze site conditions, lease requirements, landlord criteria, surveys, and construction constraints to assess project feasibility and develop preliminary planning solutions.
• Coordinate pre-development planning activities with Real Estate, Construction, landlords, architects, and consultants.
• Identify project risks, opportunities, and design challenges while ensuring alignment with operational requirements and company standards.
• Maintain project status updates, planning milestones, and completion forecasts.

Store Planning

• Develop site-specific fixture plans and architectural criteria drawings that comply with company standards and construction requirements.
• Analyze project data and site constraints to create efficient store layouts that optimize space utilization and support operational needs.
• Interpret survey information and collaborate with project stakeholders to develop planning solutions throughout the design and construction process.
• Apply chain-specific prototypes, fixture standards, and planning guidelines across assigned projects.
• Troubleshoot and resolve planning and design issues related to new stores, remodels, relocations, expansions, and special projects.

Planning Excellence & Team Support

• Drive execution of assigned planning programs and initiatives.
• Manage project schedules to ensure deliverables are completed on time and meet quality standards.
• Review planning deliverables for accuracy, consistency, and adherence to established standards.
• Serve as a technical resource by providing planning expertise, guidance, and problem-solving support to peers and project teams.
• Contribute to process improvements, planning standards, and best practices that enhance efficiency and consistency across the department.

Collaboration & Communication

• Partner effectively with Store Planning, Real Estate, Construction, Design, Store Operations, and external project partners to support project success.
• Build and maintain productive working relationships with landlords, architects, consultants, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Communicate project status, recommendations, risks, and planning solutions to leadership and project teams.

Decision Making

• Independently evaluate sites and recommend planning solutions that support operational, financial, and customer experience objectives.
• Determine fixture layouts, department adjacencies, space allocation strategies, and planning approaches within established standards.
• Identify project risks and recommend appropriate solutions or mitigation strategies.
• Resolve routine planning and design issues independently while escalating significant issues as appropriate.

Requirements

• 8 plus of experience in retail store planning, architecture, interior design, space planning, design development, or a related field.
• Must have working knowledge of REVIT
• Must have working knowledge of ACAD/AUTOCAD (Retail store and fixture layout preferred but open to experience with an architectural firm)
• Experience supporting retail development projects from site evaluation through final design documentation preferred.
• Strong understanding of retail store planning, fixture layouts, operational requirements, architectural principles, and construction processes.
• Knowledge of building systems, lease requirements, accessibility standards, and applicable building codes.
• Strong…