Retail Operations · Store Launch
Opening a New Trader Joe’s Store
Helping take a new location from an empty space to a staffed, trained, stocked, customer-ready store in two months.
The challenge
Build the operation while learning it.
With roughly eight weeks until opening, hiring, training, merchandising, inventory setup and operational preparation all had to happen simultaneously. I was newly promoted and taking on several responsibilities for the first time.
My role
Own and support multiple launch workstreams.
I supported hiring, adapted and facilitated training, mentored section leaders, coordinated initial inventory orders, designed merchandising for multiple sections including dairy, HABA, pet food, and bars.
What I managed
- 01HiringSupported candidate selection and onboarding.
- 02TrainingAdapted an existing program and facilitated group sessions.
- 03MerchandisingDesigned Dairy, HABA, Pet Food and Bars.
- 04InventoryPlaced initial orders after merchandising decisions were finalized.
- 05LeadershipMentored new and transferring section leaders.
How the work connected
Merchandising plan
Determine section layouts
Build fixtures
Rivetiers configured to plan
Place orders
Inventory based on capacity
Stock & launch
Customer-ready sales floor
Outcome
Ready to open.
By the end of the two-month launch period, the team was trained, initial inventory was in place, assigned sections were fully merchandised and the store was prepared to welcome customers. The location quickly grew to approximately $1.2M in weekly sales.
Reflection
“I learned how important it is to manage parallel workstreams while staying aware of the dependencies that determine what can happen next.”
Project management skills demonstrated
- Cross-functional coordination
- Stakeholder management
- Dependency management
- Resource planning
- Risk management
- Launch execution
Next project
Designing & Delivering a Group Trip to Costa Rica