Manager, Execution & Readiness

WHSmith; Las Vegas (NV); On-site; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

401k with company match

Excellent time-off benefits

Employee discounts

Job summary

WHSmith North America is seeking a Manager of Execution & Readiness to lead in-store test programs, ensure readiness for launches, and drive field execution with strong cross-functional partnerships. The role requires 5+ years in multi-unit retail operations, testing/launch experience, and travel to stores as needed.

Competitive compensation and benefits are offered. The position is based at the Support Center in Las Vegas, NV with responsibilities spanning governance, reporting, and field

Job description

Manager, Execution & Readiness - (SSC- Confidential-1.1)

Job Title

Manager, Execution & Readiness

Location

Support Center - Las Vegas, NV 89119 US (Primary)

Job Type

Full-time

Category

Operations

Key Responsibilities

1. Execution Readiness & In-Store Test and Learn

Lead hands-on testing of proposed initiatives, tasks, launches, and operating processes in store environments before broad

deployment.

Assess whether instructions, timing, tools, materials, labor assumptions, and customer impacts are practical at store level.

Document test results, execution barriers, store feedback, and recommended adjustments for initiative owners and decision

makers.

Partner with Workload Planning & Labor Standards and Communications & Content to confirm that field learnings are reflected

in final plans, task requirements, and supporting resources.

Support readiness reviews and provide an evidence-based point of view for launch, adjustment, pilot extension, or escalation

decisions.

2. Field Execution, Task Completion & Proof of Performance

Monitor field task completion and proof-of-performance submissions across assigned initiatives and deployment activity.

Establish clear follow-up routines for incomplete, late, inaccurate, or insufficient execution evidence.

Validate that proof-of-performance requirements are appropriate, consistent, and useful for confirming execution quality.

Maintain accurate execution status reporting and identify recurring compliance trends, risks, and support needs.

Drive execution compliance toward the team standard of 90% or better and recommend corrective actions when performance

is off track.

Identify and report execution gaps, root causes, field barriers, and emerging risks in a timely and actionable format.

Differentiate between lack of execution, unclear communication, unrealistic workload, missing materials, system limitations,

and process design issues.

Escalate critical issues through defined governance channels with clear impact, evidence, owner, and recommended action.

Close the loop with initiative owners and field leaders by tracking agreed actions through resolution.

Use execution results and store learnings to improve future planning, communication, testing, and deployment practices.

4. Store Advocacy & Operational Partnership

Serve as the store-team advocate within Central Operations by representing field realities during initiative design and

Build trusted relationships with store teams and field leaders to obtain practical, balanced, and timely feedback.

Translate store feedback into clear business insights without compromising execution accountability.

Coach partners on store operating conditions, execution dependencies, and common points of field friction.

Promote solutions that simplify work, protect the customer and colleague experience, and improve sustainable execution.

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Governance

Partner closely with Trade Planning & Deployment, Field Operations, Commercial, Transformation, Communications, and

other business functions to align execution expectations and handoffs.

Contribute execution evidence and field learning to deployment governance, status reviews, and post-launch evaluations.

Maintain clear ownership boundaries: planning determines what can land, communication determines how it lands, and

execution confirms that it landed.

Provide concise updates, dashboards, and executive-ready summaries of readiness, compliance, risks, and required

decisions.

Support a culture of accountability, practical problem-solving, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

Compensation: $70,000 – $85,000

More Reasons to Join the Whsmith North America Team

• Excellent Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Short & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Competitive Compensation
• Exceptional Time-Off Benefits including FTO and Holidays
• Growth opportunities and opportunities for career development
• 401k with company match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Incredible Employee Discounts through our Discount Marketplace!

About WHSmith North America

WHSmith is a leading global travel retailer with over 1,700 stores across 30 countries worldwide. WHSmith North America, incorporating Marshall Retail Group (MRG) and InMotion, represents over half of the Company’s international store estate, with a collection of attractive, successful specialty retail stores located in airports and resorts across North America.

EEO/ADA/DFWP

WHSmith North America is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin/ancestry, age, gender identity, gender expression, military/veteran status, marital status, disability status or any other basis prohibited by law.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Retail Management, Business, Operations, Communications, Project Management, or a related field preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.

Minimum of 5 years of progressive retail or multi-unit operations experience, including direct store operations leadership or substantial hands-on store execution responsibility.

Demonstrated success testing, launching, or improving field initiatives, operating processes, merchandising programs, or customer-facing activity.

Strong working knowledge of day-to-day store operations, labor constraints, task execution, field communications, and proof of-performance practices.

Ability to assess operational feasibility, identify root causes, and convert field observations into practical recommendations.

Experience using task management, reporting, collaboration, or content platforms such as StoreForce, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, or comparable tools preferred.

Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills with disciplined attention to detail and follow-through.

Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence cross-functional partners and present concise updates to leadership.

Ability to balance store advocacy with accountability, maintain objectivity, and make evidence-based recommendations.

Ability to travel to stores and other operating locations as needed to conduct tests, validate execution, and engage field teams.

Additional Requirements

• Limited standing, walking, climbing, crouching, bending, pushing, or pulling
• Limited travel or overnight
• Occasional travel or overnight
• Frequent travel or overnight; including international
• Normal or corrected vision and hearing
• Can distinguish varying or specific colors, patterns, or materials
• Fluency in English is required for training, customer interactions, and ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures