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About West Marine

We don’t just sell anchors and rigging. We sell a love of the water that lasts for generations.

We don’t just sell life jackets and flares. We sell peace of mind for your most precious cargo.

We don’t just have a passion for boating. We have a lifetime of experience that we can’t wait to share with you.

So when you shop at West Marine, it’s not just for boating gear – it’s for the pursuit of more water & less hassle.

If you have a passion for being on the water and are looking to join a world-class organization, then West Marine is the place for you! West Marine is recognized as the premier multi-channel retailer of boating and fishing supplies with more than 200 stores located throughout 37 states and Puerto Rico. When you work at West Marine, you’re part of a family; one that values spending quality time on the water, doing the things you love, and sharing that passion with our customers and community.

Position Summary:

The Project Manager, Store Operations is a leadership role responsible for facilitating the strategy and directing the execution of the entire portfolio of retail store projects. This individual will oversee all major store initiatives, including remodels, closures, new store openings, and the integration of new systems and processes across the fleet. This role serves as the central hub for cross-functional planning and communication, ensuring that all projects align with the company's long-term strategic goals and deliver measurable financial outcomes. The Project Manager will lead and develop the project management team, including the Field Project Team Manager(s), to establish a center of excellence for project execution that drives operational efficiency and enhances the West Marine brand experience.

Primary Responsibilities:

Strategic Program & Portfolio Management

+ Develop and own the multi-year strategic roadmap for all store projects, aligning the portfolio with corporate objectives for growth, profitability, and customer experience.

+ Direct the entire lifecycle of the project portfolio, from business case ideation and approval through to execution and post-launch analysis.

+ Oversee complex programs, including technology implementations, operational process integrations, store real estate projects, & store design pilots.

+ Establish and enforce governance, methodologies, and KPIs for the entire project management function to drive predictable and repeatable success.

Executive Leadership & Team Development

+ Lead, mentor, and develop the Field Project Team, fostering a culture of high performance, strategic thinking, and continuous improvement.

+ Build and scale a best-in-class project management organization, responsible for high level execution & organizational alignment to priorities.

+ Set the overall vision and performance standards for the department, empowering the team to execute with excellence and autonomy.

Financial Oversight & Capital Planning

+ Drive the financial planning process for all store-related projects, developing compelling business cases and ROI analyses to secure funding.

+ Hold ultimate accountability for the entire multi-million-dollar project portfolio budget, ensuring programs are delivered within financial constraints.

+ Analyze and present the financial performance and strategic value of completed projects to the executive leadership team, demonstrating clear business outcomes.

Cross-Functional Alignment & Executive Communication

+ Act as the primary liaison between the project execution teams and senior leadership across all corporate functions (Finance, Real Estate, IT, Merchandising, Marketing).

+ Facilitate high-level strategic planning and alignment meetings to ensure seamless integration and communication across the organization, minimizing business disruption.

+ Prepare and deliver executive-level presentations on portfolio status, risks, and outcomes to the VP of Stores and other C-suite members

Education, Experience & Skills:

+ Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Finance, or a related field is required.

+ 10+ years of progressive experience in retail operations, strategy, or a related field.

+ 5-7+ years in a direct program or project management leadership role, overseeing a portfolio of complex, large-scale projects.

+ Demonstrable experience managing other managers and leading a department is required.

+ Executive Presence & Leadership: Proven ability to command a room, influence senior executives, and build a high-performing team of leaders.

+ Strategic & Critical Thinking: Ability to translate high-level corporate goals into an actionable, multi-year project roadmap.

+ Program & Portfolio Management: Mastery of managing a portfolio of interdependent projects. Deep knowledge of project management governance and methodologies. PMP or PgMP certification is a strong plus.

+ Financial Modeling & Business Case Development: Expertise in financial planning, ROI analysis, and building compelling financial justifications for major initiatives.

+ Organizational Agility: Adept at navigating a complex, cross-functional corporate environment to build consensus and drive results.

+ Communication & Influence: Exceptional communication skills, simplifying complex topics for an executive audience and inspiring confidence across the organization.

+ Retail Business Acumen: Deep understanding of the drivers in a retail environment.