Manager, Retail Labor at Curaleaf in Chicago, IL

At Curaleaf, we’re redefining the cannabis industry with a strong commitment to quality, expertise, and innovation. As a leading global cannabis provider, our brands—including Curaleaf, Select, and Grassroots—offer premium products and services in both medical and adult-use markets.
Join us at Curaleaf to be part of a high-growth, purpose-driven company that champions corporate social responsibility through our Rooted in Good initiative, supporting community outreach and positive change. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, drive innovation, and help shape the future of cannabis.
Job Title: Manager, Retail Labor
Location: The candidate must be located in Chicago, IL
Work Structure: On-site, 5 days a week.
Travel Requirements: Up to 20%
About the Role:
At Curaleaf, we're redefining the retail experience through innovation, operational excellence, and data-driven decision-making. As a Retail Labor Manager, you will play a critical role in shaping and optimizing our enterprise labor strategy across a multi-unit retail environment.
In this highly visible position, you will own labor planning, forecasting, workforce modeling, and scheduling strategies that align staffing investments with customer demand and business objectives. Partnering closely with Retail Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, and store leadership, you'll build scalable labor models, develop workforce management processes, and implement reporting tools that drive productivity, profitability, and exceptional customer experiences.
This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic and analytical leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys solving complex business challenges, and wants to build labor programs that support Curaleaf's continued growth. As this is a newly created role, you'll have the opportunity to influence labor strategy, establish best practices, and help shape the future of workforce planning across the organization.
What You’ll Do:
Labor Strategy & Workforce Planning
Develop and maintain enterprise labor models that accurately align staffing levels with customer demand and operational workload.
Build forecasting models using sales trends, transaction volume, customer traffic patterns, promotional activity, and seasonality.
Create labor allocation strategies and staffing plans that support operational goals while maximizing efficiency.
Establish store staffing profiles, including optimal full-time, part-time, and leadership coverage by store volume and format.
Partner with Finance and Retail Operations to evolve labor standards and workforce planning strategies.
Workforce Management & Scheduling
Serve as the primary owner of workforce management tools, including Dayforce and future scheduling platforms.
Configure forecasting parameters, scheduling templates, labor rules, and automated scheduling processes.
Ensure store schedules align with labor models, peak traffic periods, and operational requirements.
Continuously assess scheduling effectiveness and identify opportunities to improve forecasting accuracy and workforce utilization.
Labor Analytics & Performance Optimization
Analyze workforce productivity metrics and operational performance data to drive labor efficiency and profitability.
Monitor key performance indicators including payroll cost, labor productivity, labor utilization, schedule accuracy, overtime, and staffing levels.
Develop dashboards, scorecards, and executive reporting that translate complex workforce data into actionable business insights.
Conduct variance analyses to identify trends, opportunities, and risks impacting labor performance.
Labor Model Development & Continuous Improvement
Evaluate store workflows and develop engineered labor standards across retail functions, including customer service, point of sale, inventory management, merchandising, and opening/closing procedures.
Conduct time studies and operational assessments to validate labor assumptions and identify process improvements.
Standardize labor measurement methodologies and refine labor models as business needs evolve.
Lead labor-related initiatives supporting new store openings, remodels, acquisitions, and operational enhancements.
Cross-Functional Leadership & Partnership
Serve as a trusted labor strategy partner to Retail Operations, FP&A, Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, and field leadership teams.
Educate business partners on workforce planning best practices and labor optimization strategies.
Influence decision-making by balancing operational needs with financial objectives.
Drive alignment among stakeholders and advocate for solutions that support both commercial and financial success.
Compliance & Risk Management
Ensure labor planning and scheduling practices comply with federal, state, and local labor regulations.
Partner with HR and Legal to implement policy updates and maintain operational compliance.
Support payroll and attendance policy adherence across the organization.
What You’ll Bring:
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Retail Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Human Resources, or a related field.
5+ years of progressive experience in labor modeling, labor planning, workforce analytics, workforce management, and retail operations.
Experience managing labor budgets and workforce planning across multiple retail locations.
Knowledge of retail scheduling optimization and labor forecasting best practices.
Demonstrated success developing labor models, forecasting tools, and labor optimization initiatives.
Strong understanding of workforce management systems, scheduling platforms, and labor planning methodologies.
Experience with workforce management platforms such as Dayforce, UKG/Kronos, Legion, Reflexis, Blue Yonder, WorkForce Software, Workday, ADP Workforce Now, or similar systems.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, Power Query, Power Pivot, complex formulas, and data modeling.
Experience analyzing large datasets and delivering actionable recommendations to business leaders.
Strong business acumen with the ability to balance operational needs, workforce strategies, and financial objectives.
Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Proven ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders across multiple functions and leadership levels.
Self-starter with a proactive mindset and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
Comfortable navigating ambiguity, conflicting priorities, and complex organizational challenges.
Continuous learner with a passion for process improvement and operational excellence.
Even Better If You Have:
Experience implementing or administering Dayforce workforce management solutions.
Previous experience in a dedicated Labor Analyst, Workforce Planning, or Retail Workforce Management role.
Experience developing engineered labor standards and conducting time and motion studies.
Experience creating dashboards and reporting solutions using Power BI, Tableau, or similar business intelligence tools.
Advanced Excel capabilities, including macros and automation.
Experience supporting large-scale retail organizations with multi-state operations.
Passion for using data to influence strategy and drive measurable business results.
What We Offer:
Health & Wellness
•    Medical, dental, and vision insurance*
•    Health Savings Account (HSA) and/or Flexible Spending Account (FSA)*
•    Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
•    Wellness program and challenges
•    Gym discounts
Financial Security
•    401(k) retirement plan with company match
•    Life and disability insurance*
•    Supplemental Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Accident Insurance*
•    Commuter benefits*
Time Off
•    Paid time off (PTO) including vacation*, sick leave and holidays
•    Parental leave
•    Bereavement leave
Additional Perks
•    Employee discounts
•    Recognition programs
•    Pet insurance*
*Available to eligible, full-time employees only.
Illinois Hiring Range
$118,000—$135,000 USD
What We Offer:
Career Growth Opportunities
Competitive Pay and Benefits
Generous PTO and Parental Leave
401(K) Retirement Plan
Life/ Disability Insurance
Community Involvement
Referral Bonuses and Product Discounts
Benefits vary by state, role type, and eligibility.
Follow us on Social Media:
Instagram: @curaleaf.usa
Twitter: @Curaleaf_Inc
LinkedIn: Curaleaf LinkedIn
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (TSX: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf") is a leading international provider of consumer products in cannabis with a mission to enhance lives by cultivating, sharing, and celebrating the power of the plant. As a high-growth cannabis company known for quality, expertise and reliability, the Company, and its brands, including Curaleaf, Select, Grassroots, Find, and Anthem provide industry-leading service, product selection and accessibility across the medical and adult-use markets. Curaleaf International is powered by a strong presence in all stages of the supply chain. Its unique distribution network throughout Europe, Canada and Australasia brings together pioneering science and research with cutting-edge cultivation, extraction and production. Home | Curaleaf | Cannabis with Confidence
Our Vision: To be the world's leading cannabis company by consistently delivering superior products and services and driving the global acceptance of cannabis.
Our Values:
Lead and Inspire.
Commit to Win.
ONE Curaleaf.
Driven to Deliver Excellence.
Curaleaf is an equal opportunity employer. Curaleaf recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Individuals adversely impacted by the war on drugs are encouraged to apply.
Current Curaleaf employees should apply for open positions through our Internal Job Board, which can be accessed via the link on The Leaf.
***Please note that U.S. immigration rules and regulations are governed by federal law; not state law.  Although Curaleaf operates in states that have legalized and decriminalized marijuana, it is still considered a controlled substance under federal regulations and thus illegal under federal law. For this reason, unless and until federal law changes, Curaleaf is prohibited from offering sponsorship for any non-immigrant or immigrant visas.
***Please also note that while candidates who are Lawful Permanent Residents (such as those with Green Cards) are eligible for employment with, and are hired by Curaleaf, working for a company engaged in a business that grows and sells a product that is illegal under federal law might compromise the candidate’s immigration status. Before a Lawful Permanent Resident accepts an offer of employment, Curaleaf recommends that the candidate seek the advice of an immigration lawyer.