Retail Change Manager- West

The Retail Change Manager - West, leads the execution of all Retail Change initiatives — including new store openings, remodels, resets, and closures — ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, and to brand standards. Serving as the field-based liaison between Central Operations, Construction, Commercial, Facilities, and Field Operations, this role ensures flawless project delivery and operational readiness from build to business transition.

Pay Range: $80,000- 95,000 annually 

Location: This role requires being based within 30 miles of a US west coast priority airport or the ability to self-relocate by January 31, 2026. (California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado)

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Execution

• Lead and coordinate all phases of new store openings, remodels, resets, and closures across assigned locations.
• Drive operational readiness, ensuring all pre- and post-opening activities meet WHSmith standards.
• Partner cross-functionally with Construction, Facilities, and Field Operations to monitor timelines, budgets, and readiness milestones.
• Lead on-site project execution and completion of punch lists and Day 2 actions.
• Provide hands-on leadership and oversight during key project stages to guide teams and vendors through setup and merchandising.

Operational Excellence & Process Management

• Maintain visibility to project budgets, vendor performance, and progress against plan.
• Develop, implement, and maintain standardized Retail Change processes, checklists, and playbooks to ensure consistency.
• Support continuous improvement through post-project evaluations and best practice sharing.
• Identify and resolve field-level challenges quickly, escalating as necessary to maintain schedule and quality.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Collaborate with Commercial, Merchandising, and Operations teams to ensure readiness for turnover.
• Partner with Facilities and external contractors to align on delivery standards, timelines, and compliance.
• Provide clear communication and updates to all stakeholders throughout each project lifecycle.

Key Metrics

• On-time project completion rate.
• Budget adherence (% variance from plan).
• Operational readiness and audit scores.
• Punch list closure rate within defined timeline.
• Transition effectiveness (store performance in first 90 days).

Salary : $80 - $95