Director NA Labor Optimization

Circle K; Columbus (IN); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Circle K seeks a Director of North America Labor Optimization to lead labor strategy, planning, and workforce analytics across North America from Columbus, IN, or any BU office. The role partners with Operations, Finance, HR, and external labor partners to improve productivity and planning capabilities.

The successful candidate will design and scale labor opportunities, build governance, and drive measurable business outcomes through data-driven insights and transformation initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Business, Finance, Operations, Analytics, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience with leadership responsibility in labor optimization, analytics, or transformation.
• Experience leading cross-functional workforce planning and large-scale initiatives.
• Strong financial acumen and executive presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Establish enterprise-wide labor reporting, planning, and performance measurement for North America.
• Standardize budgeting, forecasting, hours, contract labor, and labor-related costs.
• Lead governance routines balancing enterprise consistency with local needs.

Skills

Workforce Analytics

Labor Planning

Strategic Workforce Planning

Financial Analysis

Data-Driven Decision Making

Executive Communication

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Project & Program Management

Change & Transformation

AI & Workforce Technology

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Operations or related field

10+ years of relevant experience with 7+ years in leadership

Job description

**Job: Director, North America Labor Optimization

Location of role:**
Columbus, IN or any BU office.

Position Summary

The Director, North America Labor Optimization is responsible for developing and leading labor optimization strategies across North America, working closely with Business Unit leaders. This role engages Business Units to align priorities, shape practical solutions, and support implementation while establishing consistent labor planning, reporting, forecasting, and performance management practices. The objective is to combine enterprise-wide visibility and standards with local operating expertise to support informed decisions and measurable business outcomes.

The Director serves as a key resource to Business Unit leadership and collaborates with Operations, Finance, Human Resources, and external labor partners to improve workforce productivity, labor efficiency, contract labor transparency, and workforce planning capabilities. Through workforce analytics, labor modeling, and cross-functional coordination, this position helps Business Units identify, validate, and deliver labor opportunities aligned with their operational realities, annual commitments, and long-range business objectives. Success is supported through clear communication, practical alignment, and sustained adoption within the Business Units.

Key Responsibilities

Labor Strategy & Governance

• Establish and maintain a single source of truth for labor reporting, planning, and performance measurement across North America.
• Standardize methodologies for labor budgeting, forecasting, scheduled hours, contract labor, temporary help expenses, and labor-related financial reconciliation.
• Develop labor assumptions, reporting standards, performance measures, and governance routines with input from Business Unit, Finance, HR, and Operations leaders to balance enterprise consistency with local operating needs.

Labor Planning & Performance Management

• Design and maintain labor planning tools and reporting that provide visibility into labor spend, productivity, overtime, contract labor, variances, and financial impact.
• Support labor forecasting and workforce planning processes through data-driven analysis and predictive modeling.
• Review labor performance trends with Business Unit leaders, incorporate local operating insight, and recommend practical opportunities to improve productivity and operational efficiency.

Labor Opportunity Identification & Execution

• Build and prioritize a pipeline of labor optimization opportunities informed by Business Unit needs and enterprise priorities.
• Evaluate opportunities with Business Unit input using financial, operational, and workforce data to clarify value, timing, risks, ownership, and implementation requirements.
• Design, pilot, validate, and scale labor optimization initiatives in coordination with Business Unit teams, supporting adoption, measurable results, and continuous improvement.

Workforce Analytics & Technology

• Utilize workforce analytics, labor modeling, and market intelligence to support staffing, scheduling, and labor productivity strategies.
• Identify opportunities to leverage automation, AI, and technology solutions to enhance workforce planning and labor management capabilities.
• Translate complex labor data into actionable insights and recommendations for business leaders.

Business Unit Partnership & Capability Building

• Maintain productive working relationships with Business Unit leaders through regular planning discussions, operating reviews, and clear communication on labor priorities and trade-offs.
• Support leaders in understanding labor performance, identifying opportunities, and developing action plans.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on workforce optimization, labor planning, and transformation initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Human Resources, Operations, Analytics, or related field preferred. Equivalent experience may be substituted.
• 10+ years of relevant experience, including a minimum of 7 years of leadership responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience leading workforce planning, labor optimization, workforce analytics, operations, finance, or transformation initiatives.
• Experience leading large-scale, cross-functional transformation programs.
• Experience implementing analytics, automation, AI, or technology-enabled workforce solutions preferred.
• Strong financial acumen, business case development, and executive presentation skills.
• Ability to travel as business needs require.

Skills & Competencies

• Workforce Analytics & Modeling
• Labor Planning & Forecasting
• Strategic Workforce Planning
• Financial Analysis & Business Case Development
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Change & Transformation Leadership
• AI, Automation & Workforce Technology
• Executive Communication & Influence
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Project & Program Management

Circle K is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Company complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA) and all state and local disability laws. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the ADA and certain state or local laws as long as it does not impose an undue hardship on the Company. Please inform the Company’s Human Resources Representative if you need assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.