manager of space planning and store format

The Judge Group, INC.; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Judge Group, INC. is seeking a strategic Manager of Space Planning & Store Format to lead store layouts, planograms, and merchandising space allocation across our convenience store network.

You will translate sales data and shopper insights into actionable format strategies that maximize sales and enhance customer experience. In this role you will collaborate with Merchandising, Marketing, Operations, and Real Estate to ensure layouts support business objectives, while managing multiple

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in retail space planning, category management, merchandising, store design, or retail operations.
• Experience developing planograms and store layouts.
• Experience working within convenience stores, grocery, drug, mass retail, or related multi-unit retail environments.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of store layouts, floor plans, planograms, and merchandising standards across the convenience store portfolio.
• Analyze category performance, customer shopping patterns, and sales data to optimize product placement and space allocation.
• Develop and maintain store format strategies for new stores, remodels, and existing locations.
• Partner with Merchandising, Marketing, Operations, and Real Estate teams to ensure store layouts align with business objectives and customer needs.
• Create and manage planograms that maximize sales, profitability, and inventory productivity.
• Evaluate emerging convenience retail trends and recommend enhancements to store formats and merchandising strategies.
• Support new store openings, acquisitions, and remodel projects by providing layout design and merchandising guidance.
• Conduct store visits to assess compliance with merchandising standards and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Utilize space planning software and retail analytics tools to drive informed decision-making.
• Establish key performance metrics to measure the effectiveness of space allocation and store format initiatives.
• Manage and prioritize multiple projects while ensuring timely execution and stakeholder alignment.

Skills

Analytical skills

Project management

Communication

Collaboration

Excel skills

Space planning

Store operations knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Retail

Tools

Space planning software

JDA

Blue Yonder

Apollo

Nielsen

Job description

Position Summary

We are seeking a strategic and analytical Manager of Space Planning & Store Format to lead the development, optimization, and execution of store layouts, merchandising space allocation, and format strategies across our growing convenience store network.

This role is responsible for maximizing sales, enhancing the customer experience, and improving operational efficiency through data-driven space planning, category optimization, and innovative store design. The ideal candidate combines strong analytical capabilities with a deep understanding of retail merchandising, shopper behavior, and store operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of store layouts, floor plans, planograms, and merchandising standards across the convenience store portfolio.
• Analyze category performance, customer shopping patterns, and sales data to optimize product placement and space allocation.
• Develop and maintain store format strategies for new stores, remodels, and existing locations.
• Partner with Merchandising, Marketing, Operations, and Real Estate teams to ensure store layouts align with business objectives and customer needs.
• Create and manage planograms that maximize sales, profitability, and inventory productivity.
• Evaluate emerging convenience retail trends and recommend enhancements to store formats and merchandising strategies.
• Support new store openings, acquisitions, and remodel projects by providing layout design and merchandising guidance.
• Conduct store visits to assess compliance with merchandising standards and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Utilize space planning software and retail analytics tools to drive informed decision-making.
• Establish key performance metrics to measure the effectiveness of space allocation and store format initiatives.
• Manage and prioritize multiple projects while ensuring timely execution and stakeholder alignment.

QualificationsRequired

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Retail Management, Merchandising, Marketing, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in retail space planning, category management, merchandising, store design, or retail operations.
• Experience working within convenience stores, grocery, drug, mass retail, or related multi-unit retail environments.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales, inventory, and customer data.
• Experience developing planograms and store layouts.
• Proficiency with space planning and merchandising software.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong project management, communication, and collaboration skills.

Preferred

• Experience supporting large-scale convenience store chains.
• Knowledge of foodservice, beverage, tobacco, and other core convenience store categories.
• Experience with store remodels, new store development, and retail format innovation.
• Familiarity with JDA, Blue Yonder, Apollo, Nielsen, or similar retail planning tools.

What We're Looking For

The successful candidate will be:

• Strategic and customer-focused
• Data-driven and highly analytical
• Creative in solving retail merchandising challenges
• Collaborative across multiple departments
• Comfortable balancing long-term planning with day-to-day execution
• Passionate about creating exceptional in-store shopping experiences

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