Store Planner

Job Summary:     The Store Planner   is responsible for   developing   accurate   and effective floor plans that support new store openings, relocations, remodels, expansions, downsizes, and store refresh initiatives across the retail portfolio. This role   utilizes   AutoCAD, and related planning tools to create and   maintain   layouts that   optimize   space   utilization , inventory placement, operational efficiency, and   the customer   shopping experience. The Store Planner partners closely with Real Estate, Construction, Visual, Inventory Management, Operations, and external design partners to ensure plans align with prototype standards, business requirements, and project timelines. This position is accountable for delivering high-quality plans,   maintaining   project documentation, supporting process improvements, and ensuring consistency, accuracy, and quality throughout the planning and execution phases of store development projects.   What will you do?   Plan Preparation and Resource Oversight (40%)   Review the site architectural survey in the preparation of preliminary layouts for each location   utilizing   AutoCAD   Coordinate the reallocation of floor space and development of store fixture plans for new stores, expansions, downsizes and existing store upgrades within the existing store portfolio   Adjust plans upon review of architectural and construction surveys     Analysis (10%)   Understand and interpret operational and inventory requirements as related to floor planning for inventory upgrades, expansions, commercial resources and downsizes within the existing store portfolio, as well as new stores and relocations   Determine   the most efficient space layout for new and remodel stores based on operational, inventory and customer needs   Utilizing AutoCAD in the preparation of preliminary and final layouts for each location   Understand interaction and   impact   of business factors: how adjacencies, sight lines, and in store environment impact customer ease of navigation and sales   Effectively use project management software to pull and interpret reports   Analyze and articulate key differentiators between Advance Auto Parts and other retailers   Validate the flow, space design, fixture optimization of all plans     Process (10%)   Adhere to project timelines and deliverable milestones.   Effectively follow prototypical standards, department guidelines and best practices in the design and preparation of plans.   Maintain consistency and accuracy among project deliverables.   Understand and adhere to new store and reset store checklist milestones.   Assist   in field change requests on a project as needed.   Coordinate the NSO prototype change process,   facilitate   cross functional teams in the   criteria   creation, maintenance, and cost tracking of design changes.     Communication and Partner Relationships (15%)   Submission of   plans to Architectural Designer, Sign Coordinator, Visual Merchandising, Market Availability, Inventory Management, Operations, Commercial PMO Team, and other   appropriate teams   for review, collaboration, and necessary approvals.   Partner with Visual in the development and implementation of prototypical layout options.   Coordination with the Store Set-up teams as may be   required   during store fixturing and merchandising.   Communicate effectively and professionally with strategic partners across the organization. Support Advance Auto Parts stores by clearly articulating floor plans accurately and responding to store specific project issues .   Coordinate plan revisions and addenda with internal Regional Architectural Designers, External Architects and Construction Managers.   Establish and develop   cross-functional   relationships with (SP&D, Architectural Designers, External Architects, Sign Coordinator, Market Availability, Inventory Management, Real Estate Managers/Directors,