New Store Opening Manager

MillerKnoll•New York City, CT

About The Position

Why join us? Our purpose is design for the good of humankind. It’s the ideal we strive toward each day in everything we do. Being a part of MillerKnoll means being a part of something larger than your work team, or even your brand. We are redefining modern for the 21st century. And our success allows MillerKnoll to support causes that align with our values, so we can build a more sustainable, equitable, and beautiful future for everyone. As New Store Opening Manager, you will oversee the on-the-ground operational needs for Real Estate expansion and changes for MillerKnoll Retail. You will interact with cross-functional teams including Real Estate, Design, Construction, Operations, Marketing, Allocations, Delivery, IT, and Finance to ensure on-time and successful opening of all company operated stores. You will be the main point of contact or support person for another NSO Team member on-site; to aid where needed, project manage and offer operational support to cross-functional business partners and Field Management throughout the new store opening (NSO) process. Manage the NSO process through the full project life-span, from Pre-Opening to Post-Opening, to ensure successful store openings, budgets, and consistent execution of individual brand standards. Reporting to the Senior Manager of Retail Operations.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years’ Store Operations experience including new store openings, preferred
Strong project management skills
Excellent communication skills – oral and written
Ability to read and understand blueprints and mechanical drawings.
Proven track record with on time and on budgets for store openings and or special projects/events
Strong communication and organization skills
Strong financial acumen and attention to cost value to keep travel and entertainment expenses under control and under budget where possible.
Ability to work with and within cross-functional relationships
Ability to treat confidential information as such
Ability to handle ambiguity and change management
Ability to handle multiple projects with attention to detail,
Ability to wear multiple hats while on site and step into other departments to assist as needed to keep projects on schedule
Technology acumen: Microsoft Office suite; strong in Teams Channels and Sharepoint
Sound decision making ability
Travel to projects, as assigned.
Travel at least 50% of the year

Responsibilities

Lead and main point of contact to ensure consistency and best practices across store openings and other changes.
Interfacing with Senior Manager Retail Operations on day-to-day workload, both during openings and non-openings
Point of contact on other retail store operational needs
Responsible for completion of on-site project operations-readiness checklists
Responsible for prompt resolution of project delays to keep project on schedule
Conduct and manage NSO calls/meetings
Follow new store opening procedures and processes for completion of branded openings
Coordinate with IS, HR and other support groups to ensure proper setting up of store systems
Complete New Store tasks, including reporting, and after-action analysis
Work with cross-functional teams on continuous improvement initiatives
Work with cross-functional teams to aid coordination of training, equipment, systems, and overall store operations pre and post opening
Support retail team/stores daily as needed and assigned post openings
Completion of AD HOC Operational and Systems projects during non-store opening time
Responsible for creating, tracking, and expensing Travel Budgets for assigned projects.