PetSmart
Director, Labor Planning & Operational Strategy
PetSmart, Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 85003
Director, Labor Planning & Operational Strategy
Join to apply for the
Director, Labor Planning & Operational Strategy
role at
PetSmart
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.
In the
Store Strategy & Operations
department, 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. 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 & Flexible Work Environment:
This role is based at PetSmart’s Phoenix Home Office. Associates enjoy in‑person collaboration 4 days a week with remote work one day per week (leader approval). The expected four days in the office provide a supportive environment designed to help you and our teams thrive.
About The Job Job Summary/Purpose The Director of Labor Planning & Operational Strategy is responsible for setting the strategic direction and leading execution of labor planning, forecasting, and performance optimization across the retail organization, including both Core and Services businesses. This role ensures labor spend aligns with company financial goals while supporting exceptional in‑store execution and customer experience. The Director partners closely with Finance, Store Operations, and other enterprise functions to optimize workforce strategies that balance cost efficiency with operational effectiveness.
Major Responsibilities
Strategic Retail Labor Planning & Budget Management – leads development and execution of labor strategies to align actual labor spend with enterprise financial targets across all retail formats. Ensures labor planning supports customer service standards, sales goals, and operational efficiency at the store level.
Retail Workforce Forecasting & Optimization – oversees enterprise‑wide labor forecasting processes, incorporating key retail drivers such as foot traffic, sales volume, seasonal trends, and promotional calendars. Drives continuous refinement of forecasting tools and labor models to support real‑time decision‑making and improved store performance.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Business Alignment – serves as a strategic business partner to senior leaders across Store Operations, Finance, HR, and Merchandising. Ensures that labor plans and forecasts support both financial objectives and in‑store execution of business priorities.
Performance Analytics & Insights – directs labor analytics and reporting functions to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities across store locations. Delivers actionable insights and performance dashboards to regional and field leaders to drive store‑level accountability and productivity improvements.
Leadership & Talent Development – leads and develops a team of labor planning professionals. Establishes clear goals, fosters professional growth, and drives a culture of performance and continuous improvement aligned with company values.
Process Innovation & Operational Efficiency – champions initiatives to streamline labor planning processes, enhance reporting capabilities, and improve integration with workforce management systems. Leverages technology and best practices to drive efficiency and scalability across the labor planning function.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Operations, or related field; MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred.
8–10+ years of progressive leadership experience in labor planning, financial planning & analysis (FP&A), or store operations within a retail environment.
Deep understanding of retail store operations, workforce management, and the financial levers that drive profitability.
Proven track record of leading cross‑functional initiatives and influencing senior leadership.
Proven analytical and strategic thinking skills, with expertise in labor modeling and forecasting tools.
Experience managing and developing high‑performing teams.
Proficiency in labor management systems (e.g., Kronos, Dayforce), business intelligence platforms, and data visualization tools.
About The Culture At PetSmart, we work hard to create a culture where every associate feels like they truly belong and we celebrate the unique stories, backgrounds, and experiences our associates share. These experiences not only bring new perspectives in shaping our Belonging culture but they’re core to PetSmart’s success.
Benefits
Pet friendly environment – bring your pets to work!
On‑site Dog Park
“Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists and personal trainers
“Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options
On‑site coffee bar
“Lil’ Paws” learning center and onsite daycare facility (associate paid)
Volunteer events with PetSmart Charities
Learn more about here: https://www.lifeatpetsmart.com/life-at-petsmart/
Check out Associate stories and share in some celebrations at PetSmart: https://www.blog.lifeatpetsmart.com/
Explore PetSmart Benefits here: https://benefits.petsmart.com/
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Director, Labor Planning & Operational Strategy
role at
PetSmart
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.
In the
Store Strategy & Operations
department, 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. 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 & Flexible Work Environment:
This role is based at PetSmart’s Phoenix Home Office. Associates enjoy in‑person collaboration 4 days a week with remote work one day per week (leader approval). The expected four days in the office provide a supportive environment designed to help you and our teams thrive.
About The Job Job Summary/Purpose The Director of Labor Planning & Operational Strategy is responsible for setting the strategic direction and leading execution of labor planning, forecasting, and performance optimization across the retail organization, including both Core and Services businesses. This role ensures labor spend aligns with company financial goals while supporting exceptional in‑store execution and customer experience. The Director partners closely with Finance, Store Operations, and other enterprise functions to optimize workforce strategies that balance cost efficiency with operational effectiveness.
Major Responsibilities
Strategic Retail Labor Planning & Budget Management – leads development and execution of labor strategies to align actual labor spend with enterprise financial targets across all retail formats. Ensures labor planning supports customer service standards, sales goals, and operational efficiency at the store level.
Retail Workforce Forecasting & Optimization – oversees enterprise‑wide labor forecasting processes, incorporating key retail drivers such as foot traffic, sales volume, seasonal trends, and promotional calendars. Drives continuous refinement of forecasting tools and labor models to support real‑time decision‑making and improved store performance.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Business Alignment – serves as a strategic business partner to senior leaders across Store Operations, Finance, HR, and Merchandising. Ensures that labor plans and forecasts support both financial objectives and in‑store execution of business priorities.
Performance Analytics & Insights – directs labor analytics and reporting functions to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities across store locations. Delivers actionable insights and performance dashboards to regional and field leaders to drive store‑level accountability and productivity improvements.
Leadership & Talent Development – leads and develops a team of labor planning professionals. Establishes clear goals, fosters professional growth, and drives a culture of performance and continuous improvement aligned with company values.
Process Innovation & Operational Efficiency – champions initiatives to streamline labor planning processes, enhance reporting capabilities, and improve integration with workforce management systems. Leverages technology and best practices to drive efficiency and scalability across the labor planning function.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Operations, or related field; MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred.
8–10+ years of progressive leadership experience in labor planning, financial planning & analysis (FP&A), or store operations within a retail environment.
Deep understanding of retail store operations, workforce management, and the financial levers that drive profitability.
Proven track record of leading cross‑functional initiatives and influencing senior leadership.
Proven analytical and strategic thinking skills, with expertise in labor modeling and forecasting tools.
Experience managing and developing high‑performing teams.
Proficiency in labor management systems (e.g., Kronos, Dayforce), business intelligence platforms, and data visualization tools.
About The Culture At PetSmart, we work hard to create a culture where every associate feels like they truly belong and we celebrate the unique stories, backgrounds, and experiences our associates share. These experiences not only bring new perspectives in shaping our Belonging culture but they’re core to PetSmart’s success.
Benefits
Pet friendly environment – bring your pets to work!
On‑site Dog Park
“Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists and personal trainers
“Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options
On‑site coffee bar
“Lil’ Paws” learning center and onsite daycare facility (associate paid)
Volunteer events with PetSmart Charities
Learn more about here: https://www.lifeatpetsmart.com/life-at-petsmart/
Check out Associate stories and share in some celebrations at PetSmart: https://www.blog.lifeatpetsmart.com/
Explore PetSmart Benefits here: https://benefits.petsmart.com/
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr