Associate Space Optimisation Analyst
Why this role exists
The Associate Space Optimisation Analyst exists to increase the capacity, consistency and analytical capability of the Space Planning function. The role builds and improves the platforms, automation and data solutions that reduce manual planning effort, strengthen output quality and enable planners to focus on higher-value work.
Working across Blue Yonder, monday.com, and supporting data environments, the role embeds scalable and controlled solutions into core planning workflows. It provides reliable analysis and insight to improve space utilisation, supports informed decision-making and ensures planning tools and data remain accurate, available and fit for purpose.
Where you will make a difference
In this role you will:
Space Planning Platforms and Tools
Build, configure and continuously improve the platforms, tools and data solutions that support space planning activities.
Support the ongoing development and administration of Blue Yonder, monday.com and other insights & automation platforms.
Translate planner and business requirements into clear technical specifications, scalable solutions and practical enhancements.
Test and validate platform changes before release, ensuring solutions meet user, data and control requirements.
Maintain appropriate system documentation, access controls and change records in line with enterprise technology and risk requirements.
Workflow Automation and Planning Capacity
Analyse end-to-end planning workflows to identify repeatable, manual or high-effort activities suitable for automation.
Design, test and implement automation solutions that improve efficiency, consistency and output quality.
Embed approved automation into core planning workflows, supported by clear process controls, documentation and exception handling.
Measure the adoption and impact of automation, including planning hours released, activity volumes automated and reductions in rework.
Review implemented solutions and user feedback to identify further optimisation opportunities.
Space Analytics and Decision Support
Build and maintain data models, reports and visualisations that improve visibility of space utilisation and planning performance.
Integrate relevant store, product, category and space data to produce accurate and actionable analysis.
Identify space productivity trends, data anomalies and opportunities to improve space utilisation.
Provide analysis and insight to Space Planning and Category leaders, supporting informed commercial and operational decisions.
Measure the outcomes of implemented space changes and automation initiatives against agreed performance measures.
Investigate data quality issues and work with Category Assistants, Technology and other data owners to resolve root causes.
Adoption, Governance and Continuous Improvement
Partner with Space Planners and specialist leads to understand planning pain points, prioritise improvements and refine solution requirements.
Support users through training, guidance and issue resolution to improve adoption of planning platforms and automated workflows.
Establish consistent data, automation and platform practices across the Space Planning function.
Coordinate vendor support and enhancement activities, escalating material platform, data or delivery risks when required.
Contribute technical expertise to broader range, space and store planning improvement initiatives.
Who you will be working with
Technology and Analytics Partners: Partner with Technology & Data, Data Science, Product Data, Finance, and IT Security teams to build and support data infrastructure, systems integrations, and analytical models.
Space Leadership and Planning Teams: Consult regularly with the Space Senior Manager, Space Team Leader, Micro Space Lead, Capacity & Adjacency Lead, and Space Planners to understand workflow friction and deploy automated tools.
Commercial and Operational Partners: Collaborate with Category Planning, Store Operations, Inventory, and Program Managers to supply spatial utilization insights and report layout performance.
External Platform Vendors: Liaise with software vendors (Blue Yonder, monday.com etc.) and technical consultants to resolve system issues, perform platform upgrades, and manage software releases
What success looks like
Capacity Release: Quantifiable planner hours released per month through the automation of repeatable planogramming and store planning routines.
Space Productivity: Measured improvement in retail space utilization and GMROS delivered through data-driven space insights.
Platform Availability: High Scalene and space management platform availability with fast issue-resolution turnaround times.
Data Accuracy: High reporting accuracy rate and low error frequency across automated spatial databases and reporting dashboards.
Demonstrates behaviours aligned to Officeworks values, contributing to a respectful, inclusive and high-performing culture.
How you will lead
Individual Contributor
Lives our Officeworks values and behaviours
Proactively contributes to a safe working environment, escalates appropriately if there are unsafe conditions or inappropriate behaviour
Operates in line with applicable Officeworks company policies and Code of Conduct
Demonstrates a strong sense of personal accountability and curiosity to learn and develop
Contributes to an inclusive and respectful environment where diverse perspectives are valued and everyone feels safe to speak up and belong
Qualifications and work experience
Essential
Education: Tertiary qualification in Analytics, Data Science, Information Systems, Computer Science, Business, or a related discipline is required (or equivalent technical and retail-planning experience).
Experience: 35+ years in commercial analytics, space planning automation, systems improvement, or retail planning, including experience building and supporting data-driven tools or platforms.
Technical Analytics Capability: Strong knowledge of space-planning platforms, spatial data structures, automation methodologies, and analytical modelling.
Data Tooling Proficiency: Advanced Excel, SQL, and data-visualization capability (Power BI / Tableau), with practical experience extracting and analysing large retail data sets
Workflow Automation: Practical experience improving space planning workflows, system controls, automated planogram logic, and space-utilization analysis.
System Troubleshooting: Ability to coordinate vendor issue resolution, support platform releases, and troubleshoot spatial platform software bugs.
User Engagement: Strong consultative skills to partner with space planners, identify operational friction points, and drive technology adoption
Preferred
Scripting Expertise: Practical scripting capability in Python, SQL, R, or VBA for spatial data automation and API integrations
System Specialisation: Direct technical experience supporting Blue Yonder space automation modules, or monday.com workflow automations.