Manager, Store Operations & Retail Programs (Party City)-Framingham, MA

As the Manager, Store Operations within Staples US Retail supporting Party City operations, you will own the end-to-end execution of high-impact retail programs that span both Staples retail and Party City store environments. This role is responsible for translating strategy into field-ready execution by designing clear roadmaps, leading pilots, and building rollout and training plans that ensure store teams can adopt and execute new initiatives with clarity and confidence.

In addition to leading enterprise-wide retail program execution, this role carries dedicated ownership of the Party City operational model, ensuring store readiness, execution standards, labor and workload design, field communications, and in-store execution quality are consistently delivered across all Party City-enabled stores.

This is not a day-to-day people management role. Instead, you will act as the Project and Program Owner for enterprise and Party City operational initiatives, responsible for end-to-end planning, execution, and field adoption. You will partner cross-functionally with Merchandising, Field Leadership, Store Operations, and Home Office teams to ensure programs are simple, scalable, and operationally stable.

What You’ll Be Doing

Enterprise Retail Program Leadership (Staples + Party City)

• Lead end-to-end ownership of retail operations programs from concept through pilot, rollout, and post-launch optimization across Staples and Party City stores 
• Translate strategic initiatives into clear, executable roadmaps, playbooks, and rollout plans for field execution 
• Own multiple concurrent initiatives, prioritizing workstreams in a fast-paced, evolving retail environment 
• Partner with Selling & Engagement, Learning & Development, Communications, Merchandising, Marketing, and Operations to ensure programs are easy to learn, train, and execute 
• Conduct field visits and pilots to validate assumptions and refine execution prior to scale 
• Use performance data, store feedback, and adoption metrics to continuously improve execution 

Party City Operational Strategy & Execution Leadership

• Own Party City operational strategy and execution standards across all stores; ensure the program is stable, scalable, and field-friendly 
• Solve complex execution challenges by aligning cross-functional partners and driving decisions in ambiguous or undefined situations 
• Drive simplification of store processes, tools, and routines to improve consistency and reduce operational friction 
• Establish and maintain an operating cadence including execution guides, field support routines, and audit expectations 
• Partner with field leadership to resolve escalations quickly and implement long-term process fixes to prevent recurrence 
• Ensure clear, consistent store communications so teams understand expectations, timing, and execution standards 

Store Readiness, Implementation & Cross-Functional Alignment

• Lead operational readiness for Party City implementations, ensuring phase plans, merchandising steps, and store support requirements are clearly defined and executed 
• Own closed-loop readiness processes including punch lists, issue tracking, and completion verification to ensure successful launches 
• Serve as the operational counterpart to the Party City merchant leader, aligning category strategy with store execution realities 
• Coordinate across Operations, Planogram, Signing, Inventory & Replenishment, Store Planning, Construction, and Loss Prevention to remove blockers and improve execution 

Labor, Workload & Scheduling Design (Party City)

• Own Party City workload assumptions and labor models tied to balloon volume, seasonal demand, and store traffic patterns 
• Define minimum staffing standards and peak period scheduling guidance for high-volume events and weekends 
• Continuously refine labor models based on field feedback, performance data, and operational realities 
• Partner with field leaders to ensure practical staffing coverage during peak demand periods 

Helium, Balloon Operations & In-Store Process Quality

• Own helium operational readiness including daily audits, gauge checks, replenishment triggers, and capacity management 
• Drive improvements in helium infrastructure and capacity planning to meet peak demand requirements 
• Ensure safe, consistent, high-quality balloon operations through standardized training, tools, and execution discipline 
• Own the Party City training path, including onboarding, advanced selling behaviors, and certification programs 

Training, Communication & Change Management

• Enable selling behaviors tied to the Party City operating model, including engagement, event discovery, and cross-selling opportunities (e.g., Print Services from balloon areas) 
• Partner with field training teams to ensure consistent deployment and reinforcement of training content 
• Own Party City communication planning, ensuring updates are sequenced, repeatable, and field-friendly 
• Maintain a clear cadence of “what’s new, what’s changing, and what’s expected,” supported by job aids and best-practice tools 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Retail Management, or related field (or equivalent experience) 
• 7+ years of experience in retail operations, field operations, or program leadership roles 
• Proven ability to lead complex operational initiatives from strategy through execution in a multi-store retail environment 
• Strong understanding of labor planning, workload design, process improvement, and execution standards 
• Experience working across merchandising, field leadership, training, inventory, store planning, and operations teams 
• Strong ability to influence without authority, resolve escalations, and operate in ambiguity 
• Strong communication and change management skills, including development of field-ready tools and guidance 
• Analytical mindset with ability to use data and field feedback to improve execution 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and balance strategic and tactical execution 
• Willingness to travel for store visits, field engagement, and implementation support

Get great perks.

• Bonus plan and generous amount of paid time off, including one Floating Holiday each year
• Flexible work arrangements, including flexible work hours 
• 401(k) plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance with many more optional benefits
• Associate store discount and more perks (discounts on mobile plans, movie tickets, etc.)

The salary range represents the expected compensation for this role at the time of posting. The specific base pay may be influenced by a variety of factors to include the candidate's experience, skill set, education, geography, business considerations, and internal equity.In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for bonuses, or other forms of variable compensation. 

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Staples is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.

Staples is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please call 1-888-490-4747 for more information.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act; as well as with any other state and local Fair Chance Ordinance/Act regulations.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.