JOB SUMMARY

Provides project management leadership within Retail Products to support achievement of key strategic business and financial goals. Directs large, high-impact cross-functional initiatives from planning through execution, ensuring alignment across teams and timely delivery. Project manages key initiatives across Merchandising and supporting areas of Retail organization. Provides structured project leadership, cross-functional stakeholder management, and essential performance / milestone tracking. Builds efficiencies, streamlines processes, and drives clear prioritization with stakeholders to support successful overall program delivery. Builds stakeholder alignment through clear communication and reporting, ensures risks/issues are appropriately escalated and resolved, and builds culture of accountability with team and cross-functional partners alike. Manages team, successfully building talent and engagement over time. Facilitates productive and engaging sessions with leadership to enable critical decision-making. This role is located in Deerfield, IL with flexibility to work out of our Chicago office. #LI-NL1

Job Responsibilities

• Builds the formal frameworks and methodologies for approaching major strategic issues both leveraging existing resources and creating new innovative concepts across the Company for area of expertise. Ensures process and structural fit with key stakeholders. Performs as a focal point for cross-functional teams and liaison to stakeholders in developing and implementing frameworks. Develops effective working relationships with stakeholders to achieve targeted goals and/or solutions.
• Counsels key stakeholders on areas of expertise. Partners cross-functionally to translate and define business needs for area of responsibility to execute against. Strategically partners cross-functionally to develop the strategies and actionable roadmap to meet goals. Develops short- and long-range strategies, plans and actionable goals. Oversees implementation of procedures, processes, and policies that have significant impact upon the organization.
• Makes recommendations for the formulation of the strategies and operating plans of the specified area of responsibility, then, based on prevailing conditions executes or adjusts the operating plans of the business unit directed.
• Shares complex information related to areas of expertise. Interacts with senior management to keep abreast of objectives. Interacts with direct reports and peers in management / customers / vendors to interpret information and improve cross-functional processes and programs. Builds and enhances key internal and external contacts.
• Sets financial, operational and quality objectives and develops/oversees operating plans for the area of responsibility.
• Ensures growth and optimization of consumer awareness, market share and/or specified initiatives. Reviews the competitive marketplace and makes recommendations for adjustments to operational and strategic activities based upon identified information.
• May develop budget for specified area of responsibility and delivers against business goals/objectives.
• Analyzes performance drivers, proactively determines actionable strategy, and then contributes to identifying solutions for mitigation and/or optimization to achieve overall business goals.
• Directs teams accountable for daily operations. Oversees and directs the work of managers, senior managers and their subordinates. Obtains and allocates resources to meet operating plans. Ensures the ongoing training and development of direct reports. Develops and mentors staff through on-boarding, open communication, training and development opportunities and performance management processes; builds and maintains employee morale and motivation; ensures the team is appropriately staffed with required competencies; fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree and at least 4 years of experience in one or more of the following: retail, procurement/purchasing, merchandising, vendor relations, or retail marketing OR a High School Diploma/GED and at least 7 years of experience in two or more of the following: retail, procurement/purchasing, merchandising, vendor relations, or retail marketing.
• Experience establishing & maintaining relationships with individuals at all levels of the organization, including the executive level.
• Experience analyzing and reporting data in order to identify issues, trends, or exceptions to drive improvement of results and find solutions.
• Experience identifying operational issues and recommending and implementing strategies to resolve problems.
• At least 2 years of experience contributing to financial decisions in the workplace.
• At least 2 years of direct leadership, indirect leadership and/or cross-functional team leadership.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree OR MBA
• Experience leading cross-functional teams
• Experience influencing stakeholders within an organization
• At least 7 years of experience in one or more of the following: retail, procurement/purchasing, merchandising, vendor relations, or retail marketing.
• PMP, Lean Six Sigma, or other relevant certifications highly preferred
• Extensive experience with project planning and execution; project management in retail environment highly preferred
  We will consider employment of qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
  Salary Range: $115400 - $196200 / Salarie

• Builds the formal frameworks and methodologies for approaching major strategic issues both leveraging existing resources and creating new innovative concepts across the Company for area of expertise. Ensures process and structural fit with key stakeholders. Performs as a focal point for cross-functional teams and liaison to stakeholders in developing and implementing frameworks. Develops effective working relationships with stakeholders to achieve targeted goals and/or solutions.
• Counsels key stakeholders on areas of expertise. Partners cross-functionally to translate and define business needs for area of responsibility to execute against. Strategically partners cross-functionally to develop the strategies and actionable roadmap to meet goals. Develops short- and long-range strategies, plans and actionable goals. Oversees implementation of procedures, processes, and policies that have significant impact upon the organization.
• Makes recommendations for the formulation of the strategies and operating plans of the specified area of responsibility, then, based on prevailing conditions executes or adjusts the operating plans of the business unit directed.
• Shares complex information related to areas of expertise. Interacts with senior management to keep abreast of objectives. Interacts with direct reports and peers in management / customers / vendors to interpret information and improve cross-functional processes and programs. Builds and enhances key internal and external contacts.
• Sets financial, operational and quality objectives and develops/oversees operating plans for the area of responsibility.
• Ensures growth and optimization of consumer awareness, market share and/or specified initiatives. Reviews the competitive marketplace and makes recommendations for adjustments to operational and strategic activities based upon identified information.
• May develop budget for specified area of responsibility and delivers against business goals/objectives.
• Analyzes performance drivers, proactively determines actionable strategy, and then contributes to identifying solutions for mitigation and/or optimization to achieve overall business goals.
• Directs teams accountable for daily operations. Oversees and directs the work of managers, senior managers and their subordinates. Obtains and allocates resources to meet operating plans. Ensures the ongoing training and development of direct reports. Develops and mentors staff through on-boarding, open communication, training and development opportunities and performance management processes; builds and maintains employee morale and motivation; ensures the team is appropriately staffed with required competencies; fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace