Job Description

The Workforce Planning & Productivity Specialist supports the execution of workforce planning and productivity strategies by collecting, interpreting, and analyzing operational data. This role validates labor standards, develops guide hours, and identifies opportunities to improve labor efficiency. The Specialist provides data-driven insights that refine fixed and variable task standards and inform business decisions on workforce optimization, cost control, and operational consistency across store formats.

Key Responsibilities

Labor Standards & Analysis

• Conduct time studies and workflow observations to validate and refine labor standards across departments and formats.
• Maintain workforce planning models and update guide hours regularly based on operational realities.
• Analyze productivity performance and identify opportunities for improvement in efficiency, accuracy, and scheduling.
• Partner with Operations and Field Leadership to ensure labor models reflect accurate retail execution expectations.
• Support the Director, Workforce Planning & Productivity in producing reports, forecasts, and analytics for leadership review.

Data Management & Reporting

• Collect, organize, and interpret large datasets using Excel, Power BI, or similar analytics tools.
• Develop and maintain dashboards that visualize productivity trends and operational performance.
• Prepare and distribute labor-related analyses, presentations, and performance summaries.
• Validate data accuracy and ensure timely updates to workforce databases and planning inputs.

Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Work cross-functionally with Finance, People, and Field Operations to gather feedback, refine assumptions, and validate outcomes.
• Support process improvement and automation initiatives to increase data accuracy and timeliness.
• Contribute to workforce planning cycles and scenario modeling by providing accurate, data-supported inputs.

Key Metrics

• Time Study Completion (%): Timeliness and accuracy of studies completed.
• Labor Hour Accuracy (%): Variance between forecasted and actual hours.
• Labor Efficiency (%): Ratio of guide hours vs. actual performance.
• Cycle Time for Updates (Days): Responsiveness in maintaining and updating models.
• Data Accuracy (%): Quality and validation of reported metrics.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in labor analysis, operations analytics, or workforce planning.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency in Power BI, Tableau, or similar visualization tools.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and present data-driven insights to cross-functional teams.

Skills & Competencies

• Workforce analytics and labor modeling expertise.
• Time study design and validation.
• Data visualization and reporting accuracy.
• Proficiency with scheduling and workforce systems.
• Problem-solving and process improvement orientation.
• Adaptability in managing shifting business priorities.

Leadership Attributes

• Highly analytical, detail-oriented, and proactive.
• Collaborative partner who ensures data integrity and operational clarity.
• Consistently seeks opportunities to optimize processes and performance.
• Supports WHSmith’s commitment to accountability, efficiency, and excellence.

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