Store Planner

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Store Planner is responsible for developing accurate and effective floor plans that support new store openings, relocations, remodels, expansions, downsizes, and store refresh initiatives across the retail portfolio. This role utilizes AutoCAD, and related planning tools to create and maintain layouts that optimize space utilization, inventory placement, operational efficiency, and the customer shopping experience. The Store Planner partners closely with Real Estate, Construction, Visual, Inventory Management, Operations, and external design partners to ensure plans align with prototype standards, business requirements, and project timelines.

This position is accountable for delivering high-quality plans, maintaining project documentation, supporting process improvements, and ensuring consistency, accuracy, and quality throughout the planning and execution phases of store development projects.

What will you do?

Plan Preparation and Resource Oversight (40%)Review the site architectural survey in the preparation of preliminary layouts for each location utilizing AutoCADCoordinate the reallocation of floor space and development of store fixture plans for new stores, expansions, downsizes and existing store upgrades within the existing store portfolio

Adjust plans upon review of architectural and construction surveys

Analysis (10%)Understand and interpret operational and inventory requirements as related to floor planning for inventory upgrades, expansions, commercial resources and downsizes within the existing store portfolio, as well as new stores and relocations

Determine the most efficient space layout for new and remodel stores based on operational, inventory and customer needs

Utilizing AutoCAD in the preparation of preliminary and final layouts for each location

Understand interaction and impact of business factors: how adjacencies, sight lines, and in store environment impact customer ease of navigation and sales

Effectively use project management software to pull and interpret reports

Analyze and articulate key differentiators between Advance Auto Parts and other retailers

Validate the flow, space design, fixture optimization of all plans

Process (10%)Adhere to project timelines and deliverable milestones.

Effectively follow prototypical standards, department guidelines and best practices in the design and preparation of plans.

Maintain consistency and accuracy among project deliverables.

Understand and adhere to new store and reset store checklist milestones.

Assist in field change requests on a project as needed.

Coordinate the NSO prototype change process, facilitate cross functional teams in the criteria creation, maintenance, and cost tracking of design changes.

Communication and Partner Relationships (15%)Submission of plans to Architectural Designer, Sign Coordinator, Visual Merchandising, Market Availability, Inventory Management, Operations, Commercial PMO Team, and other appropriate teams for review, collaboration, and necessary approvals.

Partner with Visual in the development and implementation of prototypical layout options.

Coordination with the Store Set-up teams as may be required during store fixturing and merchandising.

Communicate effectively and professionally with strategic partners across the organization. Support Advance Auto Parts stores by clearly articulating floor plans accurately and responding to store specific project issues.

Coordinate plan revisions and addenda with internal Regional Architectural Designers, External Architects and Construction Managers.

Establish and develop cross-functional relationships with (SP&D, Architectural Designers, External Architects, Sign Coordinator, Market Availability, Inventory Management, Real Estate Managers/Directors, Lease/Asset Administration, Risk Management, PMO, Store Set-Up, Construction Managers/Senior Managers, and Visual)  a vocal, strategic partner to the Real Estate Managers, Construction Managers and Visual teams through team meetings and floor planning process.

Quality Assurance (25%)Utilize guidelines effectively with attention to project code requirements.

Monitor and manage the quality and accuracy of all plans

Validate the flow, space design, fixture optimization of all plans

Monitor adherence to prototypical standards

Manage the documentation process for as-built project plans

Manage the documentation process for up-fits and expansion project plans

Qualifications:

Advanced proficiency with AutoCAD.Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.

Familiarity with project management systems and document management platforms.

Ability to read and interpret architectural, construction, and merchandising drawings.

Knowledge of retail floor planning, fixture utilization, space optimization, and prototype standards.

Understanding of customer shopping behaviors, traffic flow, adjacencies, and merchandising presentation principles.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to…