Project Manager, Retail Operations (18-month Fixed Term-Contract)

The Pokémon Company International; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 54,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

The Pokémon Company International is opening a new Pokémon Store in London and seeks a proactive Project Manager, Retail Operations to lead the operational mobilisation for a successful opening. You will manage design, systems, supplier onboarding, logistics and training readiness, within a dynamic, evolving project team.

Ideal candidates bring 5–7 years in complex operations, retail experience, and strong supplier management.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of relevant professional experience.
• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent level of experience.
• Experience leading complex operational initiatives, business readiness activities, programme delivery or project management.
• Strong supplier management experience, incl. RFPs, contracting coordination, and supplier mobilisation.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, able to influence and drive progress across functions and geographies.
• Confident working in fast-paced, ambiguous environments with a pragmatic, outcomes-focused mindset.
• Experience within a retail environment, particularly retail operations, would be beneficial.
• Familiarity with project management tools; experience with Monday.com would be advantageous.
• Experience supporting the operational setup of a new physical site/location, customer environment, or large-scale launch.
• Experience with operational readiness planning, launch preparation and transition into business-as-usual operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver the operational mobilisation plan, translating high-level requirements into detailed workstreams, milestones, and delivery schedules.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope and budget.
• Proactively control timelines, dependencies, risks, and issues and escalating where required.
• Procure, contract, onboard and manage external suppliers (EPOS system, Facilities Management, Security).
• Establish project governance routines and drive accountability across workstreams and tasks.
• Lead the transition from project delivery into business-as-usual operations.
• Coordinate dependencies and change control across workstreams with Project Managers.
• Build relationships with stakeholders across levels and international offices.
• Develop understanding of the wider programme to inform operational planning.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Vendor management

Retail operations experience

Communication

Monday.com

Change management

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Monday.com

Job description

Project Manager, Retail Operations (18-month Fixed Term-Contract)

London, England, United Kingdom

Get to know The Pokémon Company International

The Pokémon Company International manages the Pokémon property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing and marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world.

• Job Title: Project Manager, Retail Operations (18-month Fixed Term-Contract)
• Job Summary: The Pokémon Company International is on an exciting journey to open a new Pokémon Store in London which will be the ultimate destination for Pokémon fans and include a variety of exclusive merchandise and one-of-a-kind experiences for Trainers of all ages. We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Project Manager, Retail Operations to join us to lead the operational mobilisation project. You will ensure all workstreams are delivered on schedule and the business is ready for a successful opening. Responsibilities will include operational design, systems implementation, supplier mobilisation, logistics planning, policy and process development, customer experience planning and training readiness. As part of a newly established project team, this role will operate in a dynamic environment where priorities and scope may evolve as the project progresses.
• People Manager: No

What you’ll do:

• Lead and deliver the operational mobilisation plan, translating high-level requirements into detailed workstreams, milestones, and delivery schedules.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope and budget.
• Proactively control timelines, dependencies, risks, and issues and escalating where required.
• Procure, contract, onboard and manage external suppliers (i.e. EPOS system, Facilities Management, Security).
• Establish project governance routines (e.g., RAID logs, weekly reporting, stakeholder updates, action tracking) and drive accountability across workstreams and tasks.
• Lead the transition from project delivery into business-as-usual operations.
• Act as both a leader and collaborator on specific workstreams, including Operational Design, People & Training, IT Systems, Reporting & Data, Policies & Procedures, and Logistics.
• Work closely with Project Managers to coordinate dependencies, manage change control and ensure clear ownership across workstreams.
• Build effective relationships with stakeholders across all levels of seniority and international offices.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the wider programme and apply this insight to operational planning and delivery.

How you'll be successful:

The Operations workstream is highly complex and will have conflicting and overlapping priorities. Success in this role will be driven by strong organisational and project delivery skills, coupled with the ability to navigate internal ways of working, processes and stakeholders. The successful candidate will be highly collaborative, adaptable and comfortable operating in a fast-moving environment.

What you’ll bring:

• Five (5) to seven (7) years of relevant professional experience or a demonstrated equivalent level of expertise.
• Bachelor's degree in related field or a demonstrated equivalent level of applicable experience.
• Experience leading complex operational initiatives, business readiness activities, programme delivery or project management is essential.
• Strong supplier management experience, ideally including RFPs, contracting coordination, and supplier mobilisation.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, able to influence and drive progress across functions and geographies.
• Confident working in fast-paced, ambiguous environments with a pragmatic, outcomes-focused mindset
• Experience within a retail environment, particularly retail operations, would be beneficial.
• Familiarity with project management tools and structured delivery methodologies; experience with Monday.com would be advantageous.
• Experience supporting the operational setup of a new physical site/location, customer environment, or large-scale launch.
• Experience with operational readiness planning, launch preparation and transition into business-as-usual operations.
• Exposure to facilities or service-provider mobilisation.
• Confident working in a fast-paced environment with an outcomes-focused mindset.
• Ability to prioritise multiple tasks and competing deadlines.
• Resiliency and adaptability in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Base Salary Range: For this role, new hires generally start between £54,100.00 - £72,000.00 per year. The full range is £54,100.00 - £97,500.00 per year. This range is applicable for the labor market where the role is intended to be hired. The final base salary is directly related to the candidate’s qualifications and professional experience uniquely.

#LI-MW1 #LI-Hybrid

How you’ll be successful

• Passion for Pokémon: Develops an understanding of the Pokémon brand, the impact it has on our people, culture, business, fans, and communities, and applying that knowledge and passion to everything you do.
• Challenging the Expected: Approaches challenges with curiosity and creativity, embracing the possibility of failure as an opportunity to learn something new, develop innovative ideas, solve complex problems and identify unique opportunities.
• Integrity and Respect: Demonstrates integrity and respect by leading with empathy, listening to others, seeking out different perspectives, and taking personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and results.
• Dedicated to Quality: Takes ownership to maintain and promote high standards, looks for new ways to learn and improve, and embraces a growth mindset to seek and apply feedback from others in an effort to continuously improve.
• Building Relationships: Develops and strengthens relationships, adopting a “team first” mentality and working collaboratively to solve problems and meet shared goals.
• Delighting Customers: Listens and understands the interests and needs of our customers and stakeholders, making them feel heard and important, and embracing these learnings to continue delivering a unique Pokémon experience.

What to expect

• An innovative culture driven by impact, delivering meaningful outcomes.
• Company events that celebrate the spirit of Pokémon.
• Competitive cash-based compensation programs.
• 100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for you.
• Generous paid family leave.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Employer-paid long and short-term income protection insurance.
• US Employees: 401k Employer Matching.
• UK/IRE/MX Employees: Pension Employer Contributions.
• Fitness reimbursement.
• LinkedIn learning.
• Comprehensive relocation package for certain roles.
• Hybrid work environment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this role. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. For roles in the United Kingdom, candidates will need the right to work. In some cases, and for some roles, the Company may be able to arrange a visa. For roles in Ireland, this role requires candidates to have the right to live and work in the Republic of Ireland. However, we welcome applications from all nationalities and may consider supporting an employment permit application, in appropriate and suitable cases.

The Pokémon Company International is committed to the inclusion of all qualified applicants for consideration in our job application process. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview, or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail] .