JV Manager

The Joint Venture (JV) Manager is dedicated to supporting the joint venture partnership, serving as the primary liaison between the joint venture partner and the Multi-Unit Manager. This role drives alignment between partner expectations and store execution while supporting sales performance, merchandising standards, talent development, employee engagement, and operational excellence.

Core Responsibilities

Sales Performance

• Partner with the Multi-Unit Manager to translate joint venture sales goals into clear priorities, action plans, and store-level execution expectations.
• Monitor sales trends, KPIs, conversion, average transaction value, and other business indicators to identify opportunities and recommend performance improvement actions.
• Support store leaders in driving profitable sales through consistent coaching, customer engagement, labor alignment, and strong execution of promotional priorities.
• Communicate business results, risks, and opportunities to the joint venture partner and Multi-Unit Manager to support timely decision-making and alignment.

Merchandising Execution

• Ensure merchandising strategies, visual standards, planograms, seasonal initiatives, and promotional programs are executed consistently across assigned locations.
• Partner with store leaders to maintain brand presentation, product placement, in-stock standards, pricing accuracy, and overall sales floor readiness.
• Identify merchandising gaps, inventory opportunities, and execution barriers, and partner with the Multi-Unit Manager and joint venture partner to resolve them.
• Reinforce merchandising expectations through store visits, observation, feedback, and follow-up to ensure consistent execution and customer experience.

Talent Development & Engagement

• Support the development of store leaders and team members by reinforcing coaching routines, performance expectations, onboarding standards, and role-based training plans.
• Partner with the Multi-Unit Manager to identify talent gaps, succession opportunities, staffing needs, and development priorities across assigned locations.
• Promote an engaging and inclusive team environment by supporting recognition, communication, feedback, and consistent follow-through on engagement priorities.
• Provide objective feedback and insights on team performance, leadership effectiveness, and associate readiness to support talent decisions and business continuity.

Operational Excellence

• Serve as the operational liaison between the joint venture partner and Multi-Unit Manager, ensuring business priorities, partner expectations, and store execution plans are clearly communicated and aligned.
• Support consistent execution of operational standards, compliance requirements, audit readiness, inventory controls, shrink reduction, and policy adherence across assigned locations.
• Use data, store observations, and partner feedback to identify operational risks, remove barriers, and recommend action plans that improve consistency and performance.
• Follow up on agreed-upon priorities, action items, and performance commitments to ensure accountability, timely resolution, and sustained operational improvement.

Pay $45,760 - $49,920

Requirements

• 3 years of leadership experience in a fast-paced retail or multi-unit environment, or an equivalent combination of experience and training

• Demonstrated ability to own and drive business performance, including sales, profitability, and key operational KPIs

• Experience influencing cross-functional stakeholders or external partners, with strong relationship management skills

• Proven leadership capabilities with the ability to coach, develop, and lead high-performing teams

• Strong business acumen, with effective decision-making, problem-solving, and prioritization skills

• Ability to manage multiple locations, priorities, and competing demands in a high-volume, fast-paced environment

• Proficiency with retail systems, including POS, inventory management tools, and Microsoft Office applications

• Flexible availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as business needs require

• Ability to obtain and maintain required certifications, licenses, or clearances, including a TAM Card and/or security clearance, where applicable

• Employment may be contingent upon successfully completing background checks and/or drug screening, where permitted by law

About Us

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.