Planning & Development Project Manager

The Planning & Development Project Manager plays an essential role in growing talent in our business through collaboration and sharing best practices with the Shop Design and Construction teams. In this role, you will have a keen understanding of the bigger picture, ensuring that all projects align with the organization's overarching goals and objectives. You will be solutions-oriented, continuously seeking creative opportunities to overcome challenges. In addition, you will have a strong understanding of the financial processes involved in front-end planning, allowing you to effectively navigate these aspects and enhance project execution. You know how to be curious about opportunities and how to be real with feedback and support.

As the 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 within this 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 cheerlead 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 Requests:

• Collaborate with other teams to integrate workflows, handle specific requests, and prioritize design tasks.
• Implement and successfully maintain a new workflow process tool for the property group, enhancing structure, planning, and transparency for all projects
• Document spontaneous projects, maintain a collaborative calendar, and promptly resolve any issues.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and vendors to ensure efficient project launches
• Build comprehensive design implementation packages that serve as essential blueprints for all projects, empowering designers and project managers with clear project objectives and guidance
• Oversee Design and Construction team workflow, ensuring effective deadline and capacity management for seamless collaboration.

Product Launch & Rollouts:

• Manage the implementation of new fixtures, sundries, signage, and other elements
• Evaluate and implement new vendors, considering factors such as timing, economy of scale, materiality, and adherence to Lush’s environmental and ethical standards, in coordination with our Design Buyer
• Lead cross-functional project management and collaboration between Design, Visual Merchandising, Construction, Retail, Demand Planning, and Internal Comms for successful rollouts
• Strategically plan and execute the rollout of new product launches and categories in terms of shop fixturing and site implementation from an operations perspective.

Design Directives & General Communications:

• Effectively document and relay important information, changes, and updates through emails, design directives, meetings, and chats.
• Continuously assess and improve Design Team processes and tools, driving efficiency and effectiveness
• Serve as the main point of contact between teams, external partners, and stakeholders
• Optimize the team's utilization of diverse data sources, prioritizing shop visits to proactively enhance our existing shop data database for informed decision-making

You bring the following QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and lead project teams
• Ability to travel both domestically and internationally on occasion
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Strong business and finance acumen with a talent for analyzing situations and making informed decisions and recommendations
• 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 analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Proven understanding of project management principles

Preferred:

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

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.