Planning & Development Project Manager - Retail Design & Construction

Join us as a Planning & Development Project Manager at Lush, where you'll play a pivotal role in growing talent through collaboration and sharing best practices with the Shop Design and Construction teams.

In this role, you'll partner with cross-functional teams, spearheading top-quality projects that align with Lush's mission and vision. You'll be solutions-oriented, continuously seeking creative opportunities to overcome challenges. Your strong understanding of the financial processes in front-end planning will enable you to effectively navigate and enhance project execution. You know how to be curious about opportunities and be real with feedback and support.

As our Planning & Development Project Manager, you embody the qualities of a detective. You may not know every answer, but take the initiative to actively seek them out. As a solution-focused individual, you will help inspire and galvanize the team. In addition to supporting the team to achieve the timely delivery of projects, you will be the gatekeeper of quality, by facilitating value-driven meetings, to ensure the team is proud of the projects we deliver. Your understanding of the business-critical functions and priorities within the Shop & Space Planning team will be crucial for the role.

Our ideal candidate can manage difficult conversations, nurture relationships, and knows when to raise something to the appropriate principal, without relying on the need to cross every T. In this role, it is essential that you possess cross-functional capabilities and a broad, transferable skillset. Like a swan, calm and serene on the surface, but flippers paddling underneath, you excel in maintaining calmness and serenity amidst challenges and change.

As with all walks of Lush, you can adapt and evolve to the needs of the business, and help champion our mission and vision. Our Lush staff live with purpose, finding their personal value connection with the values of the business, bringing their work and life paths into one holistic journey. #mylushlife

Reporting to the Shop Design Manager, the Planning & Development Project Manager undertakes the following RESPONSIBILITIES:

Project Management:

• Develop Design Implementation Packages: Build comprehensive blueprints that empower designers and project managers with clear objectives and guidance.
• Ensure Efficient Project Launches: Collaborate with cross-functional teams and vendors, aligning efforts for efficient project initiation
• Oversee Design and Construction Team Workflow: Ensure effective deadline and capacity management for seamless collaboration.
• Implement Workflow Tools: Successfully maintain a new workflow process tool for the property group, enhancing structure, planning, and transparency across all projects.
• Integrate Workflows with Other Teams: Collaborate and prioritize design tasks, handling specific requests as needed.
• Document and Manage Projects: Maintain a collaborative calendar, documenting spontaneous projects, and promptly resolving any issues.

Product Launch & Rollouts:

• Manage Implementation of Shop Elements: Oversee the introduction of new fixtures, sundries, signage, and more.
• Evaluate and Implement Vendors: Consider timing, economy of scale, materiality, and adherence to Lush's environmental and ethical standards, coordinating with our Design Buyer
• Strategize and Execute New Product Rollouts: Manage shop fixturing and site implementation, considering the unique needs of each product category.
• Lead Cross-Functional Collaboration: Foster unity between Design, Visual Merchandising, Construction, Retail, Demand Planning, and Internal Comms for successful rollouts.

Design Directives & General Communications:

• Drive Process Improvement: Continuously assess and refine Design Team processes and tools, encouraging efficiency and effectiveness within the team.
• Utilize Data Efficiently: Optimize the team's use of diverse data sources, prioritizing shop visits to enhance existing shop data databases for informed decision-making.
• Communicate Effectively: Relay vital information, changes, and updates through various channels, such as emails, design directives, meetings, and chats.
• Serve as Main Contact: Act as the liaison between teams, external partners, and stakeholders.

You bring the following QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• 5+ years’ of experience in Planning / Operations and Project Management, preferably in a retail industry, or an equivalent combination of both relevant education and experience
• Strong business and finance acumen with a talent for analyzing situations and making informed decisions and recommendations
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Strong project management skills, with a proven understanding of principles
• Ability to travel both domestically and internationally on occasion
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and lead project teams

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as Project Management, Design, Construction Management, or a related discipline
• Experience in retail or similar related industries is considered an asset
• Experience using design programs such as AutoCAD, Sketchup, or BlueBeam

Thriving with a diverse company culture, celebrating the uniqueness of our staff and committed to inclusion. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We thank all interested applicants; however, only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Job Type: Regular Full Time, Remote position within North America

We’re 10% Employee Owned - all colleagues play a role in protecting our ethics, our independence, contributing ideas for the future, and sharing the rewards of success when the company is doing well.