Sr. Visual Space Planner

About the role

The Sr. Visual Space Planner partners with Category Management and other cross-functional leads to develop and execute merchandising strategies that drive incremental sales and gross margin for Advance Auto Parts through space productivity. This role is an expert in system-based planogram creation and reporting, managing multiple project timelines, and upholding Advance Auto Parts merchandising guidelines. The position provides space planning guidelines to maximize efficient inventory replenishment principles and sales-driving plans based on data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Analysis
  • Partner with Category Management on all space-related analysis during the line review process, including adjacencies, heat maps, sales productivity by store and POG version.
  • Identify space optimization opportunities on a macro level and lead execution of changes with IOM and Real Estate partners.
  • Use Microsoft database applications, SQL queries, and Excel to pull and interpret reports.
  • Understand Portfolio Role & Intent and report against the most effective metrics.
• Communication
  • Partner with merchandising and real estate counterparts to establish project objectives and execution strategies.
  • Communicate effectively with strategic business partners across the organization.
  • Raise awareness of missed or at-risk milestones and propose course corrections.
  • Support Advance Auto Parts stores by clearly articulating merchandising instructions and partnering with field TMs on Floorplan needs, responding to store requests within 24-48 hours.
  • Communicate solutions and opportunities within the Category Management Timeline.
• Process
  • Understand and adhere to Floorplan milestones.
  • Proactively prepare for Category Management/Planning milestones.
  • Uphold basic Visual Merchandising guidelines and best practices.
  • Be fluid and flexible to the needs of the business.
• Floorplan Accuracy, Merchandising & Systems
  • Execute Special Project floorplans as assigned and partner with field partners to complete deliverables.
  • Understand the basic mapping of floorplans in a system-based environment.
  • Partner with the Planogram team to ensure floorplan mapping reflects current prototypes.
  • Create Merchandising Floorplans that match the merchandising strategy and fit into the construction outlay.

Requirements

• Advanced skills in MS Office Products (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access).
• Intermediate Blue Yonder Systems and/or SQL experience.
• Intermediate AutoCad and/or Space Management experience preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage with various audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage critical thinking and problem solve using large data sets.

Skills

• Top 5 Required Technical Skills
  • Visual Merchandising: Acumen in optimizing product presentation to create a pleasing customer experience while maximizing profitability.
  • Merchandising Strategies: Understanding of techniques to increase sales, such as product placement, fixture usage, promotions, advertising, and competitive pricing.
  • Planogram Creation: Experience creating product planograms using visual merchandising software, ensuring accuracy in product SKUs, inventory, fixtures, and placement while considering shoppability and profitability.
  • Detail-Oriented: Ability to complete tasks while paying attention to all areas involved, ensuring thorough and accurate execution.
  • Business Acumen: Understanding of business operations, including financial literacy, revenue generation, organizational knowledge, and short- and long-term growth strategies.
• Top 5 Required Leadership Skills
  • Ownership: Sense opportunities and obstacles that create barriers to results.
  • Self-Development: View weaknesses as opportunities to learn and grow; actively work to improve weaknesses.
  • Innovate: Analyze advantages and disadvantages of new ideas.
  • Influence Others: Compromise (win concessions) without damaging relationships.
  • Collaborate: Prioritize business relationships beyond your team to gather differing perspectives and information; recognize potential impacts of choices upstream, downstream, and across teams.

Qualifications

• Experience: 5-7 years of retail and/or project management experience.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Merchandising, Design, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Schedule

This position is hybrid (4 days in office, 1 day remote), based at the corporate headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina. Flexibility for occasional travel may be required.

Benefits

Comprehensive health and wellness benefits supporting Team Members and their loved ones. Learn more here.