Labor Optimization Specialist
About The Position
The Labor & Optimization Specialist bridges strategy and execution by operationalizing payroll plans and ensuring labor resources align with weekly and seasonal requirements. This role works closely with cross-functional teams to analyze forecasts, adjust payroll allocations, and support workload planning. As a field liaison, the Specialist provides critical insights to optimize labor efficiency and ensure the accurate execution of payroll strategies. The role is also accountable for developing tools, resources, and education that enable store teams to adopt effective scheduling practices and make informed labor decisions. The Labor & Optimization Specialist also supports Pandora’s Plandora (Ceridian Dayforce) payroll system, providing technical training, IT and vendor collaboration, and field team support.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field.
- 3-5 years of experience in workforce management, payroll operations, or retail operations.
- Experience with workforce management systems (e.g., Ceridian Dayforce) and operational forecasting.
- Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally and operationalize strategies effectively
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Proficiency in data visualization and reporting tools (e.g., Tableau, Excel).
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional partners.
- Knowledge of seasonal and event-based payroll planning.
- Financial acumen and budget management
- Advance scenario modelling
- Strategic collaboration across functions
Responsibilities
- Develop week-to-week payroll allocation files to align labor resources with business objectives.
- Analyze partner forecasts and collaborate to improve accuracy and timeliness.
- Monitor weekly hours used versus allocated to identify opportunities for refinement in forecasting and allocation processes.
- Execute payroll optimization plans, including developing communication strategies and field-facing resources to support implementation.
- Provide real-time adjustments to allocations and forecasts to ensure adherence to the payroll budget.
- Identify trends to enhance forecasting accuracy, scheduling behavior, and allocation effectiveness.
- Serve as the primary liaison for field leaders and store teams, addressing inquiries, resolving system-related issues, and coaching leaders on best-practice scheduling decisions.
- Proactively influence scheduling behaviors by translating payroll strategy into clear, actionable guidance for store leaders.
- Develop and maintain scheduling resources (guides, tools, playbooks, job aids, and FAQs) that support effective labor utilization at the store level.
- Educate and influence field leaders on scheduling best practices that align labor investment with traffic, sales trends, and workload requirements.
- Translate payroll strategies, allocation logic, and forecasts into clear, practical guidance that store teams can consistently apply.
- Identify gaps in scheduling execution and partner with field leadership to drive adoption of labor optimization KPIs.
- Support change management by reinforcing consistent labor planning behaviors across regions and markets.
- Act as a trusted advisor to the field, balancing payroll governance with operational realities.
- Use field feedback and observed scheduling behaviors to continuously refine tools, guidance, and payroll allocation models.
- Measure the effectiveness of scheduling education through improvements in forecast accuracy, hours utilization, and budget adherence.
- Maintain the Plandora (Ceridian Dayforce) system, including data updates for new stores, closures, relocations, and holiday schedules.
- Influence global partners on strategic configuration changes needed to enhance Plandora (Dayforce).
- Test system updates, develop test plans, and troubleshoot issues to maintain optimal functionality.
Benefits
- Robust compensation package including base and bonus
- 401K plan
- Medical, Dental, Vision
- Short/Long Term Disability
- Basic Life and AD&D
- Anniversary gift cards
- Recognition program
- Product discounts
- Learning and development programs
- Continuous feedback
- LinkedIn learning
- Tuition reimbursement
- PTO Package including: Vacation, Personal, Sick, Celebration days and Paid Holidays
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
