General Purpose of the Position:

The Store Planning Director guarantees the alignment between all the internal and external Functions (External Architectural Firm, etc.) involved in the Store Projects (new openings, relocations, refurbishment, touch up, etc.), the respect of the schedule and of the budget along with the continuous improvement of the Store Planning processes.

Responsibilities:

Projects Planning

• Coordinates the activities for the development of the three years and annual investment plan, evaluating and approving the proposals from the Subsidiaries
• Sets up and implements, through the Area Managers, the global process for the Stores new openings, defining the timing and the responsibilities between the internal Functions (HQ and Local Functions involved) and the External Architectural Firms
• Manages and monitors the Store Planning projects, keeping informed/aligned with all of the Loro Piana involved Functions
• Is responsible for the budget management for Retail projects (planning, monitoring and accounting) for the region
• Supervise, through the Area Managers, the projects timeline in order to respect the projects delivery deadline shared with the Loro Piana General Management

Design and construction

• Calls for and manages a structured meeting with all the involved internal and external Functions (External Architectural Firm, Retail/ Wholesale Director, Merchandisers, etc.), in order to share the plan and the targets of all Store projects openings/renovation/relocation, etc.
• Is responsible for the coordination between all the Loro Piana involved Functions and the External Architectural Firm for the feasibility/adequacy studies of the new stores
• Coordinates the External Architectural Firm for the design of the new stores/renovation/relocation, managing all the endorsement phases from the Loro Piana functions (General Management, Retail, Merchandising, etc.)
• Manages and monitors all the endorsement phases between the HQ Functions and the External Architectural Firm, regarding the design and everything that requires a central approval/support

Operations

• Sets up and implements scouting/benchmarking activities to find new providers and new possible solutions to support Loro Piana strategies
• Supervise the Area Managers activities for the negotiation with HQ’s external suppliers in order to reach always the best possible conditions as well as evaluates and approves the local suppliers proposed by the Subsidiaries management
• Is responsible for all the quality control activities of the suppliers and coordinates, through the Area Managers, the External Architectural Firm and internal Functions for the necessary recovery actions
• Supervise the Store Planning Function process and implementation with the scope of improving the efficiency and the final end result (quality, costs and timing)
• Develops all the tools necessary for the Store Planning activities (Concept Book, store project schedule, etc.)

Safety and Security

• Through the coordination of the Area Store Planning Manager, supports the external consultants for the implementation of the local “Safety and Security” provision by law and for the accounting of the activities carried out

Facilities Management

• Oversee a Facilities team that will promote and perfect company culture through new maintenance practices and processes within the office
• Forecast and maintain annual budget for store retail network
• Establish a qualified mix of vendors to maintain brand standards
• Manage service and warranty contracts for all external vendors (Master & Individual store contracts)
• Develop and oversee Preventative Maintenance contracts (HVAC, Fire Alarm system/monitoring, landscaping, etc.)
• Participate in new store opening turnover to ensure proper standards and identify potential warranty issues

Skills and abilities

• 8 years of experience with Architecture and/or Construction degree and background
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, project management and people management skill.
• Highly motivated, enthusiastic and proactive.
• Self-driven with the ability to work under pressure and prioritize to meet deadlines
• Experience effectively working with cross-functional teams and fostering collaborative thinking