Project Manager, Productivity and Transportation

About the Role

The Project Manager of Productivity & Transportation is a critical role responsible for driving operational efficiency, cost optimization, and executional excellence across the business. This leader partners closely with cross-functional teams to deliver initiatives that improve productivity and speed while balancing cost and customer experience.

This role serves as a connector between strategy and execution, translating business priorities into disciplined project plans, clear milestones, and measurable outcomes. The Project Manager ensures transportation and productivity initiatives are delivered on time, on scope, and with sustained impact.

This position requires strong analytical capability, structured project leadership, and the ability to influence Supply Chain, Logistics, Inventory Management, Finance, and external partners.
What You'll Do

Project Leadership & Execution

• Lead end-to-end project management for productivity and transportation initiatives, from concept through implementation and stabilization.
• Develop clear project plans, timelines, dependencies, and risk mitigation strategies to ensure successful delivery.
• Drive accountability across cross-functional partners, ensuring milestones and commitments are met.
• Translate complex operational initiatives into clear, actionable plans for stakeholders at all levels.

Productivity & Cost Optimization

• Support initiatives that improve transportation productivity, cost efficiency, and asset utilization.
• Partner with Finance and Supply Chain teams. 
• Monitor performance against productivity targets and proactively identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support continuous improvement efforts through data analysis, root-cause identification, and solution development.

Transportation Operations Support

• Partner with Transportation, Distribution Centers, and third-party logistics providers to support network optimization initiatives.
• Assist in the rollout of new transportation strategies, tools, or processes that improve service levels and reduce cost.
• Support peak readiness, capacity planning, and executional stability during high-volume periods.  Support stores with effective and quick communication.
• Help ensure transportation initiatives align with broader supply chain and inventory strategies.

Data, Insights & Reporting

• Develop and maintain project dashboards, timelines, and performance tracking tools.
• Communicate progress, insights, and recommendations clearly to senior leaders and cross-functional partners.
• Ensure projects are grounded in data and deliver measurable business impact.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Collaborate closely with Transportation, Inventory Management, Distribution, Productivity, Finance, Technology, and Merchandising teams.
• Serve as a strong thought partner, bringing structure, clarity, and momentum to complex initiatives.
• Incorporate stakeholder feedback into project plans to improve execution quality and adoption.
• Support change management efforts to ensure new processes are embedded and sustained.

The Impact

The Project Manager of Productivity & Transportation plays a key role in improving operational efficiency, reducing cost, and strengthening execution. The ideal candidate is highly organized, analytically strong, execution-focused, and comfortable leading complex initiatives in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

Who You Are

• Store Leadership and/or Store Operations experience with a passion for developing team members and mentoring future leaders

• Experience leading large program management efforts including establishing effective governance structures, cross functional coordination, and executive stakeholder management and reporting

• Comfort with ambiguity and a dynamic business landscape Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and projects, to prioritize, and adapt to a changing environment

• Strong relationship building skills and experience working closely with senior executives and cross functional partners to influence strategic agendas and operationalize key strategic initiatives

• Strong critical thinking and business curiosity, including strong analytical and creative Problem-solving skills, strong ability to work with complex and detailed data to drive insights and decisions