Operations Strategy Manager

Discover greater levels of performance. With over 1,400 stores throughout the U.S., Ulta Beauty is revolutionizing the beauty retail experience. With new stores coming online on a continual basis and the re-engineering of existing locations with the latest design and technological advancements for heightened guest experiences, we’re not just growing, we’re thriving. Through consistent innovation and a bold commitment to reimagination. If you want the opportunity to build something strategic, to take ownership of your career trajectory, to apply your passion to operational excellence, Ulta Beauty provides the kind of stability and support few organizations can match. So be curious. Be flexible. Be more than you thought possible. The future is yours at Ulta Beauty.

THE IMPACT YOU CAN HAVE

The Retail Operations Strategy team is responsible for developing and leading the Retail Operations strategy to transform the customer experience, operational performance and efficiency, and growth across our stores.

Operating at the intersection of operations and strategy, the Operations Strategy Manager will be responsible for supporting on-going discovery, evaluation and execution of forward-thinking opportunities for continuous growth and improvement for our retail stores. This individual will enable decision-making for key business initiatives, and will require the ability to influence, advise, and lead a large number of cross-functional business partners across levels.

A successful candidate must be naturally curious, self-motivated, able to prioritize effectively, and possess the ability to share complex ideas and information across diverse audiences in a clear and succinct manner. This role will support highly visible strategies that will have a significant impact on the direction of the end-to-end store experience and therefore should demonstrate strong executive presence and possess superior communication and presentation skills.

YOU'LL ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS BY:

• Support the creation, refinement, and articulation of the department’s long‑term North Star vision, ensuring strategic clarity and alignment across all retail operations functions
• Support highly visible, strategic, cross-functional, priority initiatives related to Ulta Beauty’s retail operations strategy
• Build governance models, decision‑making frameworks, and accountability routines that sustain strategic initiatives and ensure consistent execution
• Gather, synthesize, and socialize insights on retail trends, emerging technologies, consumer behavior shifts, and competitive innovations that are relevant to Ulta Beauty
• Bring creative, out-of-the-box thinking to identify white space opportunities: assess and articulate the strategic rationale, grounded in data-driven insights, in support of the retail operations strategy
• Support the effort of sharing the retail operations department story through crafting elevated PowerPoint presentations and working with key stakeholders across the department and enterprise

THE ESSENTIALS FOR SUCCESS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, operations, strategy or a related field

• 5+ years of professional experience in business administration, consulting, strategic planning, or similar strategy-focused roles
• Ability to think strategically while balancing long-term goals with immediate business priorities
• General retail acumen – understanding of retail operations, field dynamics, and customer experience drivers
• Strong communication skills – including thought leadership, collaboration, partnership across diverse team environments
• Well organized – ability to lead, manage, and prioritize multiple projects efficiently
• Highly motivated – exhibit flexibility and willingness to take on new responsibilities and assignments and to assist with various ad hoc projects as needed
• Skilled in Microsoft Office, especially PowerPoint, and comfortable using program management tools
• Retail operations experience preferred

WORKING CONDITIONS                                                        

• Normal office demands
• Occasionally work in stores to develop an understanding of the store experience and collaborate with field partners

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At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest North American beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. We bring possibilities to life through the power of beauty each and every day in our stores and online with more than 25,000 products from approximately 500 well-established and emerging beauty brands across all categories and price points, including Ulta Beauty’s own private label. Ulta Beauty also offers a full-service salon in every store featuring—hair, skin, brow, and make-up services.

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.