Manager Innovation & Implementation

Category/Area of Expertise: Strategy
Job Requisition: 507918
Address: USA-PA-Carlisle-1149 Harrisburg Pike
Store Code: Finance - Brands (5148633)

At The GIANT Company we're committed to making our stores and facilities better every day for our team members, customers, and communities. It's our secret recipe for success and it guides everything we do. We put our customers first, do what's right, win together, and make ideas happen. As a team member here, that's exactly what you'll help us do. You'll share your ideas, learn new skills, and really make a difference for not only your team, but for your customers and your community.

Position Summary

The Manager II, Innovation & Implementation is responsible for leading the end-to-end development, validation, and deployment of store-focused innovation initiatives that drive operational efficiency, enhance customer experience, and deliver measurable financial benefit.

This role oversees a portfolio of innovation projects from ideation through pilot, deployment, and sustainment, ensuring alignment to strategic priorities and financial targets. The Manager leads a cross-functional team responsible for engineering solutions, conducting analytics, coordinating implementations, and executing change management strategies.

The position contributes to the organization by delivering a disciplined, scalable innovation pipeline, enabling consistent execution across stores, and embedding sustainable process improvements across Operations, Merchandising, IT, and other enterprise partners.

This is a hybrid role, with 3-day in-office requirement at our Carlisle, PA Support Center.

Essential Functions

• Lead innovation portfolio strategy and execution by identifying, prioritizing, and managing a multi-year pipeline of initiatives that drive labor optimization, operational efficiency, and customer experience improvements, ensuring alignment to enterprise goals and financial targets.
• Oversee end-to-end project lifecycle management (ideation, research, business case, pilot, deployment, and sustainment) by establishing structured processes, governance, and stage gates, ensuring consistent delivery and measurable outcomes across initiatives.
• Lead cross-functional solution design and engineering efforts by partnering with Operations, IT, Merchandising, Marketing, Finance, and external vendors to develop scalable solutions supported by process mapping, value stream analysis, and Lean/continuous improvement methodologies.
• Drive deployment strategy and change management execution by defining pilot approaches, rollout sequencing, communication plans, training requirements, and readiness assessments to ensure successful adoption and minimal disruption to store operations.
• Own financial evaluation and performance tracking by overseeing ROI modeling, capital justification, and ongoing KPI measurement to validate initiative impact and ensure delivery of financial targets.
• Establish and monitor success metrics and reporting frameworks by leveraging dashboards, analytics tools, and benchmark reporting to track initiative performance and inform leadership decisions.
• Lead stakeholder engagement at all levels by communicating progress, risks, and outcomes to Directors, VPs, and senior leadership, ensuring alignment, sponsorship, and informed decision-making.
• Drive operational and store workflow optimization by evaluating store processes, labor impacts, and facility layouts to identify opportunities for improved efficiency and service level execution.
• Oversee team execution and development by providing direction, prioritization, and coaching to Analysts, Specialists, and Coordinators, ensuring effective collaboration, capability development, and high-quality deliverables.
• Partner with IT and enterprise teams to translate business needs into roadmap-ready initiatives, ensuring proper funding, prioritization, and alignment with enterprise technology strategies.
• Lead vendor strategy and external partnerships by identifying emerging technologies, sourcing partners, and managing pilot agreements, contracts, and onboarding processes to support innovation development.
• Ensure sustainability and continuous improvement by conducting post-implementation reviews, identifying improvement opportunities, and embedding standardized processes and documentation for long-term success.

Knowledge

Advanced knowledge of project and portfolio management methodologies

• Expertise in LEAN Six Sigma, process mapping, and value stream analysis
• Strong understanding of change management frameworks (ex. ADKAR)
• Financial acumen including ROI modeling, capital planning, and cost analysis
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and data visualization tools (ex. Power BI)
• Knowledge of retail store operations, labor management, and workflow design
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies and IT delivery models

Skills

• Strategic thinking and portfolio prioritization
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong leadership and team development capabilities
• Project and program management expertise
• Change management and organizational influence
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
• Process improvement and continuous improvement mindset

Abilities

• Lead complex, cross-functional initiatives in a dynamic environment
• Translate strategy into actionable plans and measurable outcomes
• Manage multiple priorities and shifting business needs simultaneously
• Influence without direct authority across diverse stakeholder groups
• Interpret large data sets and translate insights into business actions and recommendations
• Drive adoption and sustain organizational change

Education

• Bachelor's degree in business, operations, or related field required
• LEAN Six Sigma or Change Management certification (preferred)

Experience

• 6-8+ years of experience in innovation, engineering, operations, or project/program management environments
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale, cross-functional initiatives
• Experience in retail, grocery, or multi-site operations preferred
• Prior leadership or team management experience required

Nature of Supervision

Work is performed under general direction of senior leadership. The Manager operates with a high degree of autonomy, setting priorities aligned to strategic objectives. Progress is reviewed through milestone achievement, portfolio performance, and business impact.

Supervision Given

Direct supervision of 3 employees: Analyst, Specialist, and Coordinator within the Innovation & Implementation team. Responsible for performance management, coaching, workload prioritization, and capability development.

Direct supervision of Analysts, Specialists, and Coordinators within the Innovation & Implementation team. Responsible for performance management, coaching, workload prioritization, and capability development.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

The GIANT Company is an equal opportunity employer. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, marital status (including civil unions), military service, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, legally recognized disability, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by law.