What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manager, Execution & Readiness position at Marshall Retail Group?
Job Title
Manager, Execution & Readiness
Location
Support Center - Las Vegas, NV 89119 US (Primary)
Job Type
Full-time
Category
Operations
Education
Job Description
The Manager, Execution and Readiness is responsible for confirming that field initiatives are practical, launch-ready, and executed as intended across WHSmith North America. The role combines hands-on in-store testing, task completion and proof-of-performance tracking, execution gap reporting, and store advocacy to strengthen field readiness and improve deployment outcomes.
Serving as the execution checkpoint within Trade Planning & Deployment, this role partners with Field Operations, Commercial, Transformation, Communications, and other cross-functional teams. The Manager brings store operating realities into initiative design, identifies barriers before scale, and provides clear evidence and feedback after launch so learnings inform the next planning cycle.
The ideal candidate brings credible multi-unit retail operations experience, strong field judgment, disciplined follow-through, and the ability to distinguish an execution accountability issue from a process that is not operationally work
Key Responsibilities
1. Execution Readiness & In-Store Test and Learn
• Lead hands-on testing of proposed initiatives, tasks, launches, and operating processes in store environments before broad
deployment.
• Assess whether instructions, timing, tools, materials, labor assumptions, and customer impacts are practical at store level.
• Document test results, execution barriers, store feedback, and recommended adjustments for initiative owners and decision
makers.
• Partner with Workload Planning & Labor Standards and Communications & Content to confirm that field learnings are reflected
in final plans, task requirements, and supporting resources.
• Support readiness reviews and provide an evidence-based point of view for launch, adjustment, pilot extension, or escalation
decisions.
2. Field Execution, Task Completion & Proof of Performance
• Monitor field task completion and proof-of-performance submissions across assigned initiatives and deployment activity.
• Establish clear follow-up routines for incomplete, late, inaccurate, or insufficient execution evidence.
• Validate that proof-of-performance requirements are appropriate, consistent, and useful for confirming execution quality.
• Maintain accurate execution status reporting and identify recurring compliance trends, risks, and support needs.
• Drive execution compliance toward the team standard of 90% or better and recommend corrective actions when performance
is off track.
3. Execution Gaps, Escalation & Continuous Improvement
• Identify and report execution gaps, root causes, field barriers, and emerging risks in a timely and actionable format.
• Differentiate between lack of execution, unclear communication, unrealistic workload, missing materials, system limitations,
and process design issues.
• Escalate critical issues through defined governance channels with clear impact, evidence, owner, and recommended action.
• Close the loop with initiative owners and field leaders by tracking agreed actions through resolution.
• Use execution results and store learnings to improve future planning, communication, testing, and deployment practices.
4. Store Advocacy & Operational Partnership
• Serve as the store-team advocate within Central Operations by representing field realities during initiative design and
deployment planning.
• Build trusted relationships with store teams and field leaders to obtain practical, balanced, and timely feedback.
• Translate store feedback into clear business insights without compromising execution accountability.
• Coach partners on store operating conditions, execution dependencies, and common points of field friction.
• Promote solutions that simplify work, protect the customer and colleague experience, and improve sustainable execution.
5. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Governance
• Partner closely with Trade Planning & Deployment, Field Operations, Commercial, Transformation, Communications, and
other business functions to align execution expectations and handoffs.
• Contribute execution evidence and field learning to deployment governance, status reviews, and post-launch evaluations.
• Maintain clear ownership boundaries: planning determines what can land, communication determines how it lands, and
execution confirms that it landed.
• Provide concise updates, dashboards, and executive-ready summaries of readiness, compliance, risks, and required
decisions.
• Support a culture of accountability, practical problem-solving, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
Compensation: $70,000 - $85,000
MORE REASONS TO JOIN THE WHSMITH NORTH AMERICA TEAM
About WHSmith North America
WHSmith is a leading global travel retailer with over 1,700 stores across 30 countries worldwide. WHSmith North America, incorporating Marshall Retail Group (MRG) and InMotion, represents over half of the Company's international store estate, with a collection of attractive, successful specialty retail stores located in airports and resorts across North America.
EEO/ADA/DFWP
WHSmith North America is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin/ancestry, age, gender identity, gender expression, military/veteran status, marital status, disability status or any other basis prohibited by law.
Job Requirements
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive retail or multi-unit operations experience, including direct store operations leadership or substantial hands-on store execution responsibility.
• Demonstrated success testing, launching, or improving field initiatives, operating processes, merchandising programs, or customer-facing activity.
• Strong working knowledge of day-to-day store operations, labor constraints, task execution, field communications, and proof of-performance practices.
• Ability to assess operational feasibility, identify root causes, and convert field observations into practical recommendations.
• Experience using task management, reporting, collaboration, or content platforms such as StoreForce, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, or comparable tools preferred.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills with disciplined attention to detail and follow-through.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence cross-functional partners and present concise updates to leadership.
• Ability to balance store advocacy with accountability, maintain objectivity, and make evidence-based recommendations.
• Ability to travel to stores and other operating locations as needed to conduct tests, validate execution, and engage field teams.
Additional Requirements
Manager, Execution & Readiness
Location
Support Center - Las Vegas, NV 89119 US (Primary)
Job Type
Full-time
Category
Operations
Education
Job Description
The Manager, Execution and Readiness is responsible for confirming that field initiatives are practical, launch-ready, and executed as intended across WHSmith North America. The role combines hands-on in-store testing, task completion and proof-of-performance tracking, execution gap reporting, and store advocacy to strengthen field readiness and improve deployment outcomes.
Serving as the execution checkpoint within Trade Planning & Deployment, this role partners with Field Operations, Commercial, Transformation, Communications, and other cross-functional teams. The Manager brings store operating realities into initiative design, identifies barriers before scale, and provides clear evidence and feedback after launch so learnings inform the next planning cycle.
The ideal candidate brings credible multi-unit retail operations experience, strong field judgment, disciplined follow-through, and the ability to distinguish an execution accountability issue from a process that is not operationally work
Key Responsibilities
1. Execution Readiness & In-Store Test and Learn
• Lead hands-on testing of proposed initiatives, tasks, launches, and operating processes in store environments before broad
deployment.
• Assess whether instructions, timing, tools, materials, labor assumptions, and customer impacts are practical at store level.
• Document test results, execution barriers, store feedback, and recommended adjustments for initiative owners and decision
makers.
• Partner with Workload Planning & Labor Standards and Communications & Content to confirm that field learnings are reflected
in final plans, task requirements, and supporting resources.
• Support readiness reviews and provide an evidence-based point of view for launch, adjustment, pilot extension, or escalation
decisions.
2. Field Execution, Task Completion & Proof of Performance
• Monitor field task completion and proof-of-performance submissions across assigned initiatives and deployment activity.
• Establish clear follow-up routines for incomplete, late, inaccurate, or insufficient execution evidence.
• Validate that proof-of-performance requirements are appropriate, consistent, and useful for confirming execution quality.
• Maintain accurate execution status reporting and identify recurring compliance trends, risks, and support needs.
• Drive execution compliance toward the team standard of 90% or better and recommend corrective actions when performance
is off track.
3. Execution Gaps, Escalation & Continuous Improvement
• Identify and report execution gaps, root causes, field barriers, and emerging risks in a timely and actionable format.
• Differentiate between lack of execution, unclear communication, unrealistic workload, missing materials, system limitations,
and process design issues.
• Escalate critical issues through defined governance channels with clear impact, evidence, owner, and recommended action.
• Close the loop with initiative owners and field leaders by tracking agreed actions through resolution.
• Use execution results and store learnings to improve future planning, communication, testing, and deployment practices.
4. Store Advocacy & Operational Partnership
• Serve as the store-team advocate within Central Operations by representing field realities during initiative design and
deployment planning.
• Build trusted relationships with store teams and field leaders to obtain practical, balanced, and timely feedback.
• Translate store feedback into clear business insights without compromising execution accountability.
• Coach partners on store operating conditions, execution dependencies, and common points of field friction.
• Promote solutions that simplify work, protect the customer and colleague experience, and improve sustainable execution.
5. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Governance
• Partner closely with Trade Planning & Deployment, Field Operations, Commercial, Transformation, Communications, and
other business functions to align execution expectations and handoffs.
• Contribute execution evidence and field learning to deployment governance, status reviews, and post-launch evaluations.
• Maintain clear ownership boundaries: planning determines what can land, communication determines how it lands, and
execution confirms that it landed.
• Provide concise updates, dashboards, and executive-ready summaries of readiness, compliance, risks, and required
decisions.
• Support a culture of accountability, practical problem-solving, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
Compensation: $70,000 - $85,000
MORE REASONS TO JOIN THE WHSMITH NORTH AMERICA TEAM
- Excellent Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Short & Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Competitive Compensation
- Exceptional Time-Off Benefits including FTO and Holidays
- Growth opportunities and opportunities for career development
- 401k with company match
- Employee Assistance Program
- Commuter Benefits
- Incredible Employee Discounts through our Discount Marketplace!
About WHSmith North America
WHSmith is a leading global travel retailer with over 1,700 stores across 30 countries worldwide. WHSmith North America, incorporating Marshall Retail Group (MRG) and InMotion, represents over half of the Company's international store estate, with a collection of attractive, successful specialty retail stores located in airports and resorts across North America.
EEO/ADA/DFWP
WHSmith North America is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin/ancestry, age, gender identity, gender expression, military/veteran status, marital status, disability status or any other basis prohibited by law.
Job Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Retail Management, Business, Operations, Communications, Project Management, or a related field preferred.
- An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive retail or multi-unit operations experience, including direct store operations leadership or substantial hands-on store execution responsibility.
• Demonstrated success testing, launching, or improving field initiatives, operating processes, merchandising programs, or customer-facing activity.
• Strong working knowledge of day-to-day store operations, labor constraints, task execution, field communications, and proof of-performance practices.
• Ability to assess operational feasibility, identify root causes, and convert field observations into practical recommendations.
• Experience using task management, reporting, collaboration, or content platforms such as StoreForce, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, or comparable tools preferred.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills with disciplined attention to detail and follow-through.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence cross-functional partners and present concise updates to leadership.
• Ability to balance store advocacy with accountability, maintain objectivity, and make evidence-based recommendations.
• Ability to travel to stores and other operating locations as needed to conduct tests, validate execution, and engage field teams.
Additional Requirements
- Frequent sitting
- Limited standing, walking, climbing, crouching, bending, pushing, or pulling
- Limited travel or overnight
- Occasional travel or overnight
- Frequent travel or overnight; including international
- Normal or corrected vision and hearing
- Can distinguish varying or specific colors, patterns, or materials
- Fluency in English is required for training, customer interactions, and ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures
- Typically, indoors
- Typically, at a consistent temperature
- Lift 0-25 lbs.
- Use of fine motor hand functions
Salary : $70,000 - $85,000