Manager (Store Design)

The (Senior) Manager, Store Design & Projects reports directly to the Head of Store

Design & Projects. In this role, you will be responsible for leading end-to-end store design execution, project management, and cross-format standards across FairPrice Group. You will play a pivotal role in driving FF&E standardization, M&E integration, cost optimization, and establishing enterprise-wide project management processes that deliver high-quality store environments consistently across a large portfolio.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

• Support the Head of Store Design & Projects as part of the Centre of Excellence; assist in developing and executing store design strategies aligned with company vision, archetype objectives, and network performance goals.
• Develop, refine, and enforce enterprise-wide processes and standard operating procedures for project and design management to ensure consistent execution across all projects.
• Partner with internal stakeholders, landlords, and consultants to align strategic initiatives, asset management, and store portfolio optimization.

Design & Innovation:

• Lead the design development and technical execution for multi-format store environments, including Store-in-Store, Blended Grocery + Food Services, and Omni-Channel concepts.
• Establish, document, and implement asset and FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment) standardization guidelines across a large portfolio of projects to drive consistency and scalability.
• This includes technical and design specifications relating to FF&E including but not limited to refrigeration systems, display structures and fresh counters (for meat and seafood). Work closely with Indirect Procurement to evaluate and secure vendor contracts to deliver standardised FF&E.
• Integrate M&E (Mechanical & Electrical) requirements seamlessly into store layouts and technical specifications for various retail formats (e.g., Supermarket, Finest, Cheers, Food Services), taking into account safety, sustainability and functionality factors.
• Drive a culture of creativity and continuous improvement, pushing the boundaries of retail design to elevate the customer experience.
• Oversee space optimization and layout planning to maximize sales, productivity, and operational efficiency.

Project Management & Execution:

• Oversee day-to-day project management of store construction, renovations, and decanting projects, ensuring seamless execution on time, on budget and to high quality standards.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects, effectively prioritizing resources and mitigating risks.
• Drive rigorous cost management and CAPEX optimization across all projects, leveraging FF&E and material standardization to achieve cost efficiencies without compromising design quality.
• Establish procurement guidelines, track CAPEX utilization, and drive value engineering initiatives throughout the project lifecycle.
• Manage the obtaining and maintaining licenses for the Grocery Business for new / reno stores with regulatory authorities for the respective licenses

Stakeholder & People Management:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of store design and project management professionals.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including retail operations, branch managers, landlords, and vendors.
• Exhibit strong executive presence and communication skills to influence and align stakeholders at all levels.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Proven track record as a Senior Manager or Assistant Director in retail store design, project management, and construction execution across multi-format retail or grocery portfolios.
• Strong technical expertise in M&E systems and deep experience with asset and FF&E standardization, both in defining standards and implementing them across large-scale project portfolios.
• Demonstrated experience in cost management, budget monitoring, and value engineering for retail CAPEX projects.
• Strong capability in process design for project and design management, with proven success in formulating enterprise-wide standards and consistently governing their execution.
• Exceptional leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop a team.
• Strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills, with experience working with landlords and vendors.