Sr. Director, Store Performance Acceleration (SPA)

About the Team

There are a lot of activities that happen in our stores so we have a strong cross-functional team focused on doing Anything for Pets by supporting the store teams through effective communications, processes and initiatives. The Store Strategy & Operations department leads the way to support all store activities and define business-driving strategies. The Workforce, Insights & Planning team owns labor optimization and reporting needs. The Operations & Innovation team owns merchandise execution, process improvement, compliance, store technology and innovation. And the Strategy team leads all the business-driving efforts for Salon, PetsHotel, Pet Training and In-store customer experience. These teams work diligently to ensure our associates, pets and pet parents are supported, while operating efficiently to drive the business.

About the Location

Collaborative Work Environment:At PetSmart, teamwork and connection are core to how we thrive. This role is based at our Phoenix Home Office, with an expectation of working a minimum of four days in the office each week. In a standard work week, associates may work up to one remote “flex day” (with leader approval). Our hybrid approach is designed to foster strong collaboration while also supporting flexibility and individual success.

 

About the Job

SUMMARY

This role is responsible for leading and directing the efforts of the field organization to drive store sales growth and deliver profit; with a primary focus on strategically narrowing performance gaps in selected stores and districts.  Additional areas of focus include providing strategic direction around the acceleration of execution in stores and achieving monthly sales. A successful candidate would leverage data analytics, local insights, and key business partnerships to lead and direct the implementation of targeted improvement strategies. This position will work cross-functionally to connect strategic intent with field operations, ensuring that leaders are equipped with the necessary education and improvement plans for successful, consistent execution.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to the following:

 

All field support for all bottom performing stores (quartile four, bottom districts), this role is accountable for (all categories):

 

• Sales Growth and Profitability:
  • Accountable for deploying team to drive store sales and maximize profitability.
  • Develops, oversees, directs, and follows up on targeted strategies to improve performance consistent with business objectives.
  • Communicates and influences unique needs based on geography, customer, competition, etc. to key stakeholders (e.g., competitive environment, merch trends)
  • Delivers quarterly impact and trend reporting to SVPs & RVPs.
  • Consistent, clear, and frequent communication with RVPs/DLs on store performance improvement plans and associated follow-up actions.

 

• Sales Lever and Services Performance Focus and Execution: 
  • Accelerates in-store operational execution and drive key retail levers across the business to meet or exceed business goals.
  • Partners closely with RVP to ensure consistent and effective approach to communication and outlier management across all regions.
  • Responsible for High Impact Execution Improvement. Deploys team to follow up and monitor improvement with designated high impact areas. Quarterly or half year focuses based on business gaps.
• Data Analytics & Insights:
  • Partners closely with Store Operations for continued evolution of need based reporting, parallel with evolution of business needs.
  • Leverages data analytics to uncover insights and predict trends.
  • Establishes and maintains cross functional relationships to influence proactive actions to emerging trends.
  • Partners closely with Store Operations and Services to ensure consistent and effective approach to communication and outlier management across all regions.
  • Provides weekly reporting and specific business-driving insights and recommendations to SVPs/RVPs.

 

• Execution Education and Field Partnership:
  • Develops, co-creates, and oversees delivery of education for RVPs/DLs to elevate specific behaviors (leveraging consistent sustainable resources – e.g., toolkits) that drive outcomes (Services, Merch, Omni, etc.).
• SVP Support:
  • Serves as a strategic “right-hand” resource for SVP.
  • Responsible for gathering ad hoc data and insights, including board prep material, QBR/MBR, etc.
  • Supports onboarding of new RVPs/DLs with all-things reporting/analytics.

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Will have a team of 6 individual contributor direct reports.

  

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree in Business and 10+ years experience in high growth multi-unit retail leadership, business analytics, and/or process improvement strongly preferred.

 

TECHNICAL SKILLS 

• Must demonstrate strong business & financial acumen; ability to interpret & utilize key financial & statistical data.
• Must demonstrate cross-functional collaboration; and have proven track record of strong relationship building and influence.
• Must be able to influence business decisions, using data-driven (qualitative and quantitative) insights.
• Must be able to synthesize multiple data sets, of varying formats, into a coherent story and effectively communicate to various levels of the organization.
• Must possess a sense of urgency and agility/flexibility, able to move quickly between strategy and tactics.
• Must have proven ability to consistently drive business performance and results at scale (i.e., a multi-unit environment).
• Must have excellent written and oral communications skills. Ability to effectively communicate at all levels of the organization
• Must be highly organized and have strong attention to detail.
• Must be able to work effectively in a team environment.
• Must possess strong analytical, critical thinking, and strategic thinking skills specializing in data insights.

 

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

None required.

 

TRAVEL

20% - 40% travel.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment are characteristic of those found in a typical business office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Additional Job Considerations

• This role requires collaboration, teamwork, and face-to-face interaction with colleagues, leaders, and/or clients.
• Being in the office ensures access to leaders, cross-functional partners, and resources necessary to make timely decisions and drive results.
• On-site presence in accordance with our FlexSmart policy supports our culture of innovation, mentorship, and engagement, which is integral to our success in developing the best team.

* This is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exhaustive list of all essential job functions for this position. PetSmart retains the right to change or assign other required job duties to this position.

About the Culture

Our associates are the heart of Team PetSmart. Together, we’re building the best team in retail through our values-based culture, connection, and teamwork. Our goal is to create a culture where associates learn and grow together, thrive as effective teams and challenge each other to be the best they can be. 

 

Our home office offers outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace including:

• Pet-friendly environment, bring your pets to work and enjoy the on-site dog park!
• On-Site Events & Adoptions, enjoy community-building opportunities, including pet adoption days, seasonal celebrations, family events, art events, & holiday festivals
• “Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists, personal trainers, and wellness spaces
• “Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options, snacks, & more
• “Lil Paws” NAEYC-accredited onsite childcare facility providing high-quality early education
• Paid Volunteer Opportunities to spend time doing good for causes close to heart
• Print Center and Business Services, Dry Cleaning, Mother's Rooms, Sustainable Infrastructure & more

PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics.