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