Planner-Store Optimization

Your Impact
The Planner-Store Optimization supports Lowe's strategic initiatives by driving space and merchandising process improvements across store environment. This role provides analytical insights and supports the execution of corporate projects aimed at optimizing store layout, visual presentation, and category performance. Planner-Store Optimization serve as functional consultants and analysts during business-critical initiatives, contributing to the refinement of in-store strategies through data-driven recommendations. Responsibilities include identifying opportunities for space utilization improvements, supporting localization and category optimization efforts, and aligning store-level execution with broader merchandising goals. This role is a key cross-functional partner, collaborating with stakeholders across Merchandising, Visual Merchandising, Planogram, Project Management, Finance, and Assortment Planning to ensure seamless integration of store optimization strategies with company objectives. Planner-Store Optimization contribute to project alignment, process efficiency, and the achievement of financial and operational targets through coordinated, insight-led planning.

• Execute store optimization initiatives within an assigned merchandising division, managing project elements such as concept refinement, space planning, layout analysis, and implementation coordination under the guidance of Store Optimization leadership.
• Translate merchandising strategies into actionable plans by utilizing space planning and category management tools to enhance store layout, product presentation, and category performance.
• Track and manage project timelines and milestones, ensuring successful delivery of initiatives through effective coordination with cross-functional partners including Planogram, Visual, and Project Management.
• Translate insights into high-impact optimization plans by developing project models, conducting store trait and clustering analyses, performing space utilization reviews, and executing category-specific deep dives. Using these findings to deliver holistic store flow recommendations that enhance customer navigation, optimize merchandising, and support overall business performance.
• Develop store-specific merchandising plans that support financial targets by optimizing space productivity and aligning product placement with customer shopping behaviors and demand patterns. Ensure the right products are prioritized in the right store locations to maximize relevance, availability, and profitability.
• Support process improvement efforts by identifying inefficiencies in planning or execution and recommending solutions that improve workflow, accuracy, or project speed.
• Gather and analyze store-level insights and performance data, surfacing key trends and helping inform future planning cycles and strategy refinement.
• Assist with the documentation and communication of project deliverables, ensuring alignment with corporate standards and contributing to consistent execution across store locations.
• Participate in the development of post-implementation reviews to assess the success of initiatives against KPIs such as sales performance, productivity, and customer engagement metrics, applying learnings to inform future strategies.

• Bachelor's degree Business, Retail Management, Finance or related field or equivalent years of experience in lieu of education requirement, if applicable
• 3 years experience in retail store planning and design (may be a combination of visual merchandising, store planning, planogramming, real estate & facilities planning, or store environment experiences)
• 3 years experience with assortment and/or space planning (e.g. categories, products, processes, etc.).
• 3 years experience executing on project plans in a cross-functional environment.
• 3 years strong Business Acumen with an understanding of how category planning and space optimization can influence results of various functions across the organization.

• 1 year experience working for a large retail organization, preferably in Merchandising, Store Planning, or Store Operations.