Senior Store Planner

Overview:

Eight decades ago, we were founded not by businesspeople or investors, but by a community of 23 friends connected by the shared belief that a life outdoors is a life well lived. Together, they formed a co-op around the purpose that guides us to this day – to inspire and enable life outside for everyone.   

 

This job contributes to REI’s success by leading the store planning design activities that promote company identity, enhances the REI brand, and improves the operations for our store teams. This role is responsible for delivering high quality fixture plans that execute store design brand standards and ideal customer experience for our stores. Additional responsibilities include leading all aspects of the store planning process to include cross-collaboration in a variety of new and existing retail store projects and ensuring a compelling customer experience in REI retail stores. The Sr Store Planner is responsible for balancing multiple projects and programs simultaneously. This employee models and acts in accordance with REI’s guiding values and mission. 

 

Responsibilities:

This role requires advanced knowledge of space planning practices and store design development and is able to manage projects with high levels of ambiguity and budget complexity. The ideal candidate is able to manage both tactical and strategic projects. They are able to use a wide range of strategies, concepts, and previous experience to determine a course of action and deliver independently. They are able to effectively influence and negotiate solutions when the path forward is unclear, and they are able to make trade-offs when evaluating opportunity vs. available resources. 

 

Functional Responsibilities: 

 

• Responsible for managing the store planning scope, activities, and schedule of a project.  

• Coordinates the development of the Department Plan and Fixture Plan with the Concept, Visual Merchandising and Architecture teams to deliver a cohesive customer experience.  

• Responsible for collaboration with the Assortment Planning team to ensure the Fixture Plan implements the assigned assortments while maximizing selling space.   

• Responsible for delivering a high-quality Fixture Plan that adheres to adjacency guidelines, category management, space allocation, and accessibility requirements.  

• Responsible for implementing store planning program requirements into the Fixture Plans for our fleet of stores. 

• Responsible for providing the Construction Procurement Team with accurate data to forecast budgets and procure fixtures.    

• Responsible for documenting and maintaining the fixture block library through coordination with fixture shop drawings.    

• Responsible for implementation of the category management blocks through coordination and alignment with the Concept, Assortment Planning, and Visual Merchandising teams.  

• Responsible for informing schedules and timelines with project teams and effectively communicating dates to meet all established deadlines.   

• Responsible for documenting and maintaining the square footage data for the fleet of stores.  

• Provides support during the Fixture and Visual Merchandising install phases.  

• Responsible for collaboration with the Concept Design team to translate and execute new concepts. 

• Responsible for providing guidance and support to define team processes and procedures.  

• Provides decision support for the Manager of Store Planning and advises leadership team on business impacts.  

• Store visits may be required to audit the implementation of standards and to develop new ones on an as-needed basis. 
• Provides coaching and mentoring to Store Planner II team members. 

 

Requirements: 

• 8+ years of store design experience in a complex retail environment
• Experience with space planning as it relates to retail
• Store Design, Visual presentation, or Merchandising experience
• Fluency in Revit is essential and other design software including Sketchup, AutoCad, Bluebeam, Adobe Creative Suite, and Figma
• Ability to establish and apply store planning standards in a variety of store formats
• Project management skills including measurement, reporting and financial analysis
• Ability to create and maintain process systems, documentations and support tools
• Demonstrated skills in relevant software for effective management and tracking of projects, such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and Smartsheet
• Actively participates and collaborates with others on one's own team and across REI for the achievement of business goals
• Advanced knowledge of the principles and practices within a field or recognized body of formal knowledge. This includes knowledge required for complex design problems, new project types and ability to align design with budget
• Flexible in one's viewpoints and positions in order to support the direction taken by others at REI
• Uses business knowledge, innovative thinking, and sound judgment in the solution of problems or the pursuit of business opportunities
• Consolidates information from various sources including feedback from others to reach sound decisions
• Ability to articulate business impact of decisions and actions on internal and external customers
• BA or AA in Architecture, Interior Design, or related degree (preferred)

 

Closing:

At REI, we believe the outdoors is for all. We are committed to becoming a fully inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization. We know that there's strength in our diversity – that each employee brings unique skills, experiences, and perspectives. Every day you are driving change, fostering a culture of respect, and knowing you're backed by benefits that support your whole life. To work towards this commitment and fulfill our brand promise of inspiring and enabling a life outside for everyone, we seek employees who demonstrate different ways of working, create a sense of belonging, and actively listen and learn.  

 

Pay Transparency 

We are committed to practices that promote pay equity and transparency. As required by applicable Pay Transparency laws, REI provides a range of compensation for roles that may be hired in locations under these requirements. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include a wide array of factors, including: your specific skills and experience, geographic location or other relevant factors.   

 

REI offers all regular employees a generous employee discount, access to health benefits, a retirement savings plan and accrued time off.  Click here for a detailed overview of benefits plans by employee profile.

Base Pay Range: $85,400.00 - $136,700.00 per year