Operations Transformation & Automation Manager

About the Team

There are a lot of activities that happen in our stores so we have a strong cross-functional team focused on doing Anything for Pets by supporting the store teams through effective communications, processes and initiatives. The Store Strategy & Operations department leads the way to support all store activities and define business-driving strategies. The Workforce, Insights & Planning team owns labor optimization and reporting needs.

The Operations & Innovation team owns merchandise execution, process improvement, compliance, store technology and innovation. And the Strategy team leads all the business-driving efforts for Salon, Pets Hotel, Pet Training and In-store customer experience. These teams work diligently to ensure our associates, pets and pet parents are supported, while operating efficiently to drive the business.

Collaborative Work Environment: At Pet Smart, teamwork and connection are core to how we thrive. This role is based at our Phoenix Home Office, with an expectation of working a minimum of four days in the office each week. In a standard work week, associates may work up to one remote “flex day” (with leader approval). Our hybrid approach is designed to foster strong collaboration while also supporting flexibility and individual success.

Onsite Position: This position is considered to be Fully Onsite, work is to be done onsite at a Pet Smart location (Phoenix Home Office, Pet Smart stores, Merchandise Development Center, Distribution Centers or another Pet Smart site).

This role will work in our Phoenix Home Office - Visa sponsorship is not available for this role

This position is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and advancing transformation initiatives that improve store operations through automation, emerging technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and operational modernization. This role partners across Store Operations, Services, Technology, Digital, Field and other business functions to identify opportunities, develop business cases and financials, manage the transformation portfolio, and validate solutions that improve associate experience, operational efficiency, and business performance.

The position serves as a strategic partner responsible for evaluating future capabilities, supporting enterprise transformation priorities, and ensuring initiatives deliver measurable business value aligned with organizational objectives.

• Identify and evaluate opportunities to improve store operations through automation, AI, emerging technologies, and process modernization.
• Translate operational needs and develop business cases, financial analysis, and recommendations to support transformation investment decisions.
• Manage the transformation initiative portfolio, including intake, prioritization, tracking, and executive reporting.
• Lead innovation discovery activities, including emerging technology research, proof of concept (POC) planning, pilot execution, and solution validation.
• Lead the strategy for directed work and operational execution platforms to improve prioritization, visibility, and field execution effectiveness.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to define automation opportunities and support enterprise AI strategy and roadmap development.
• Establish success measures and evaluate transformation initiatives to ensure expected operational and financial outcomes are achieved.
• Support executive governance activities through preparation of recommendations, portfolio updates, business insights, and decision materials.
• Partner with Store Operations, Technology, Digital, Field and business stakeholders to ensure transformation initiatives align with enterprise priorities.
• Monitor industry trends and emerging retail technologies to identify and evaluate opportunities that enhance operational effectiveness and associate experience.
• Support organizational change readiness by identifying business impacts, risks, and adoption considerations associated with transformation initiatives.

• Individual contributor with responsibility for leading enterprise transformation initiatives through cross-functional influence and partnership.
• May lead cross-functional teams, pilots, or work groups without direct supervisory responsibility.

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university in Business, Operations, Technology, or related field preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience in retail…