Sr. Program Manager, AI Strategy

DESCRIPTION

As the Sr. Program Manager for AI Strategy for WWGS Operations Business Support, you will lead the identification, development, and implementation of AI solutions that optimize store operations and drive business performance improvements across WWGS stores. You will focus on leveraging AI to enhance operational efficiency, labor productivity, and operational execution across wide-ranging KPIs. A critical aspect of this role will be revolutionizing how store leadership consumes and acts on operational data through the development of AI-enhanced reporting dashboards and decision support tools.

Support both daily operations and longer-term strategic planning. Partner with store leadership to identify critical operational pain points and opportunities for AI-driven solutions. Create and implement AI-powered tools that provide real-time insights into store performance metrics. Develop predictive models for operational challenges (staffing needs, peak sales periods, work design bottlenecks, etc.). Partner with Operations Field to support launching pilot programs for new AI implementations in select stores/Operational Areas. Scale successful solutions across the store network and consider ROI for these solutions to prioritize areas of focus based on business trends (Labor, Shrink, Unit Growth, Expense, etc.).

Key job responsibilities
Develop AI strategy specifically focused on store operations performance, including:
• Labor optimization and scheduling
• Store workflow efficiency
• Task management and prioritization
• Merch program execution
• Real-time performance monitoring
• Operations standardization
• Increased focus on strategic decision-making at store leadership level
• Regular reporting on AI implementation progress and impact to senior leadership
• Develop frameworks to identify routine tasks that can be enhanced or automated through AI
• Ensure AI solutions enhance rather than replace human decision-making capabilities

Partner with Operations Reporting to establish strategic vision and development of next-generation store performance dashboards:
• Partner with store leaders to understand critical business insights needs
• Design intuitive, action-oriented dashboards that surface key performance indicators
• Incorporate AI-driven predictive insights and recommendations
• Ensure dashboards drive proactive decision-making rather than just reporting
• Provide real-time visibility into store performance metrics
• Enable store leaders to quickly identify and address operational issues
• Surface AI-powered recommendations for performance improvement
• Allow for drill-down capability into root causes

Technical Focus Areas:
• AI applications for store operations workflow optimization
• Machine learning models
• Predictive analytics for operational performance
• Computer vision solutions for store operations monitoring
• Business intelligence and data visualization platforms
• AI-powered anomaly detection and alerting systems
• Automated reporting and insight generation
• Mobile-first dashboard solutions for store leadership

Skills:
• Strong understanding of retail store operations
• Ability to identify high-impact opportunities for AI application
• Data-driven decision making
• Strategic thinking with practical execution skills
• Strong change management and organizational transformation skills
• Ability to build trust and enthusiasm around AI adoption
• Understanding of ethical AI principles and responsible implementation
• Proven ability to translate complex technical concepts into business value

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

- 5+ years of program or project management experience
- Experience using data and metrics to determine and drive improvements
- Experience owning program strategy, end to end delivery, and communicating results to senior leadership
- Bachelor's degree in relevant field (Business, Computer Science, Operations)
- 8+ years of experience in retail operations, with demonstrated success in performance improvement initiatives