Job Description

Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Store Design & Construction Manager

Location: Toronto

Reporting to: Head of Store Design & Construction

About UNIQLO

UNIQLO is a brand of Fast Retailing Co. (FR), a global Japanese retail holding company that designs, manufactures and sells clothing under multiple brands including: GU, Theory, Helmut Lang, PLST (Plus T), COMPTOIR DES COTONNIERS, PRINCESSE TAM TAM, and UNIQLO. FR is currently among the world\'s top three largest apparel retail companies and UNIQLO, its pillar, is considered Japan\'s leading specialty retailer. With an operation spanning over 2300 stores worldwide in more than 25 countries and regions, UNIQLO is driven by its LifeWear concept for ultimate everyday clothes, offering unique products made from high-quality, highly functional materials, at affordable prices. UNIQLO proactively seeks to minimize the environmental impact of our businesses through the development of recycle-oriented products while continuing to offer people all over the world the joy, happiness, and satisfaction of wearing truly great clothes that embody our corporate philosophy: Changing clothes. Changing conventional wisdom. Change the world.

At UNIQLO, we are committed to providing our employees with enriching and challenging opportunities where achievements and personal growth are acknowledged and rewarded. We are dedicated to offering our employees training, performance-based increases, and unlimited growth opportunities. If you are an ambitious, hard-working individual who welcomes new challenges, have a drive for success, and embrace the responsibility of leadership-then you belong at UNIQLO!

Position Overview

The Store Design & Construction Manager will be tasked with managing the design work and project execution through all phases of UNIQLO\'s new store development. This individual is responsible for end to end project management from giving timely input on feasibility of projects until handover to the store management team (including but not limited to store layout, budget, schedules, coordination/communication with landlord, real estate teams, etc.

:

• Manage Design work and project execution through all phases.
• Understand Uniqlo store layout criteria, scope, and requirements.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, and ensure landlord handover conditions meet Uniqlo\'s standards in collaboration with external project management firms and the real estate team.
• Select GC and architect for each project, with an external project management firm after evaluating proposals that include project plans, costs, and qualifications.
• Ensure and review general contractor\'s detailed project plans and deliverables, including clear permitting processes and timelines (leverage external project management firm throughout the process).
• Ensure design and construction documents from architects and meet all Uniqlo operation needs, after finalizing store layouts with management.
• Ensure timely delivery of all owner furnishing items for project completion, collaborating closely with relevant team leads.
• Promptly escalate timing and quality issues to prevent time and cost overruns.
• Lead site walkthroughs through the entire project lifecycle, from initial costing through final handover to the store team. Identify risks related to time and budget, resolve all on-site issues, and ensure seamless delivery.
• Ensure budget, timeline, quality, and safety are all delivered for each project.
• Work together with store design team and local architect to solve issues on site.
• Understand all local code requirements and make sure all vendors deliver accordingly.
• Execute final inspection working together with construction manager before handover to store operation team to ensure code requirement, UQ quality requirement and maintenance requirement is provided.
• Lead post-project analyses and discussions. Identify opportunities and strive for continual process improvement.
• Explain all variances to budget and timeline, as needed. Make sure to focus on root causes and resolving actions. Own the responsibility.
• Ensure timely approval and payment of all invoices, working with the Store Development Management Control team.
• Other reasonable duties as assigned.

Desired Skills and Experiences:

• Project management experience, ideally in both construction and design
• Minimum of 5 to 6 years in a similar position within Canada retail industry
• Prior training as a PM in the construction industry is required (Certification of architect or PM preferred)
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects at varying stages of complexity simultaneously
• Proven ability to manage external project management firms
• Multicultural work experience and work background
• Understand Uniqlo Customers and Positioning in the marketplace
• Sensitivity to aesthetic, quality architecture
• Solid understanding of flagship and standard stores requirements
• Knowledge of the American marketplace an asset
• Results-oriented with an outcome-ownership mindset
• Strong sense of business and financial acumen
• Positive attitude, high energy
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

UNIQLO Canada is an equal opportunity employer. UNIQLO Canada encourages applications from all qualified candidates and accommodates person with disabilities. Candidates that are selected for interviews should advise us if they require accommodation.

Uniqlo