Store Planner – Senior

Role: Store Planner - Senior
Pay Rate: $ 39-44/hr.
Bill Rate 63/hr.
Location: Framingham, MA Hybrid (T-W in office)

Develops Fixture Plans and Architectural Criteria Drawings for new stores, relocations, expansions, remodels, and special projects across multiple retail brands. Makes design and layout decisions to create plans for each project based on site-specific requirements and budget guidelines, ensuring established standards are met. Thoughtful decision-making and attention to detail will result in an enhanced customer and associate in-store experience and support sales growth.

In conjunction with Store Planning Management, assigns projects for new stores, relocations, expansions, remodels, and special projects to Store Planning Associates and outside consultants. Provides guidance to Store Planners and outside consultants regarding planning guidelines, prototypical requirements, and site-specific criteria.

Major Areas of Responsibility

• Gather and analyze project data to design site-specific plans. Make design and layout decisions for each project, relying on experience and judgment. Recommend solutions for efficient overall store layouts, including support areas and department adjacencies. Collaborate with Store Planning Management, Design, Store Operations, and Merchandise Planning and Analysis teams to enhance the overall customer and associate in-store experience.
• Create architectural drawings that meet established standards and construction specifications while balancing design and operational needs. Collaborate with Architects and Construction teams to interpret local building codes and adhere to store opening timelines, budgets, and lease requirements.
• Troubleshoot site-specific challenges that arise during the planning, drawing, and construction phases of assigned projects. Develop creative solutions to resolve issues and proactively partner with internal and external teams to communicate changes and resolve project scheduling conflicts.
• Ensure timely and accurate distribution and archiving of drawings and project data to meet Construction and Real Estate store opening schedules.
• For design-build stores, review completed site surveys and collected data regarding existing conditions. Interpret and analyze the data to facilitate design development decisions with the internal team. Conduct design-build meetings with appropriate team members and develop site-specific plans and architectural drawings that adhere to construction budgets and store opening schedules.
• Assist Store Planning Management with training and providing technical guidance to Store Planners and outside consultants regarding the implementation of planning guidelines and prototype requirements for new stores, relocations, expansions, remodels, and special projects.
• Delegate projects to Store Planners and outside consultants while ensuring timely and accurate distribution of drawings to meet Construction and Real Estate store opening schedules.
• Participate in special projects as assigned.

Job Impact

This position supports projects with significant construction and renovation budgets, including:

• New stores costing in excess of $1,000,000 to construct.
• Expanded stores averaging approximately $750,000.
• Remodel projects averaging approximately $350,000-$450,000 each.
• A high-volume annual construction and remodel program consisting of approximately 125-150 new stores and 200 remodels annually.

Decision Making

• Recommend solutions for overall store layouts, including support areas and department adjacencies, to enhance the associate and customer in-store experience and support sales.
• Collaborate with Store Planning Management, Design, and Construction teams to develop solutions for non-prototypical stores.
• Work closely with outside Architects to ensure prototype requirements and construction specifications are met.
• Assign projects and provide guidance to Store Planners and outside consultants.
• Exercise independent judgment in addressing site-specific planning, design, and construction challenges, escalating recommendations or decisions requiring management approval as appropriate.

Education

Preferred:

• Associate Degree in Architecture, Architectural Engineering Technology, Interior Design, or a related field, or equivalent certificate.
• Bachelor's Degree in a related field preferred.

Required Skills and Knowledge

• Working knowledge of Revit; experience should be clearly demonstrated on the resume or within the candidate summary.
• Strong proficiency in AutoCAD/ACAD required.
• Experience with retail store planning, fixture layout, architectural design, or related environments preferred.
• Strong understanding of retail store operations, building architecture, construction procedures, and applicable building codes.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple projects and priorities.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work effectively with internal teams, Architects, consultants, and other external partners.

Minimum Experience

• 8+ years of related planning experience, preferably in retail design, store planning, interior design, architecture, or a related field.
• Experience developing architectural drawings, store layouts, or fixture plans strongly preferred.
• Experience working with site-specific requirements, construction documentation, and cross-functional project teams preferred.