Group Capital Projects & Cost Manager

The Company:

Our client is a British multi-national company which operates in 37 countries worldwide at around 600+ sites and they have an extensive portfolio of more than 500 international, national, local and speciality brands.

They employ c37,000 staff and their principal markets are UK & Ireland, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Middle East and India – c2,800 locations across 37 countries. The business was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2014.

They strongly believe that by creating a culture where their values are front and centre and lived and breathed, they will achieve their vision of being the leading food and beverage operator in travel locations worldwide.

Their values, listed below, are integral to their business and underpin everything they do. They were developed in consultation with their teams across the world and reflect what it means to be part of their team.

• We are one team … working together and sharing our best ideas to fulfil our global potential.
• We are results focused … delivering great food and service for our customers and outstanding results for our clients, shareholders and colleagues
• We all make a difference … respecting each other, acting responsibly and being accountable for the contributions that we make.
• We are bold …seizing opportunities, innovating and quickly adapting every day.
• We celebrate success … recognising and valuing everyone’s achievements.

The Group is expected to spend c£250m pa on capital projects which can be new build and refurbishments which equates to 300+ schemes that require approval by the Group Investment Commit

The Position:

Reporting to the Group Capital Projects Director (Capex Strategy & Store Design), the primary responsibilities of this role are: Capital Projects: The Group Capital Projects & Cost Manager (GCPCM) will be a subject expert working in the Group HQ in London and will be responsible for supporting countries in which our client operates in delivering their Capital Programmes including:

• Cross functional working with the Group Capital Projects Director and the Country Property Directors, reviewing all Capital projects (Scheme design & costs) from 100k to £1m+ across the Group to deliver best value and target savings
• Assisting the Group Capital Projects Director in value creation; developing continuous improvement techniques and tools to reduce the cost psm of schemes and ensure they are aligned with best practice such as; cost templates by store format, databases, tendering, alternative construction methods and ensuring energy, sustainability and equipment standards are maintained
• Maintaining the Group Capital Projects Standards including approach and compliance to procurement, tendering and value engineering to ensure schemes achieve target costs and are fit for purpose
• Reporting on agreed value creation initiatives and project capital approvals during the financial year
• The role is Global and strategic, the actual responsibilities for the delivery of projects will be at a country level
• International travel will be required as needed.

Capital Projects - Cost Management:

• Cross functional working with the Group Capital Projects Director and the Country Property Directors, reviewing all Capital projects (Scheme design & costs) from 100k to £1m+ across the Group to deliver best value and target savings
• Post review of projects or programmes with Country Property Teams, recommend capital approval of allocated projects >£100k and up to £1m+ to our Client’s Group Investment Committee(GIC2- Stage 2)
• Ensure due process has been followed, ensuring designs are fit for purpose, tendering / value creation / engineering techniques deployed, compliance to the Group Equipment catalogue; kitchen layout and ensure cost risks and mitigation plans are managed in a timely manner.
• Working with the Group Head of Store Design & Formats and their outsourced design house in India, develop cost templates for core brand categories such as coffee and bakery, casual dining, bars etc to determine a cost psm and to ensure approved equipment is listed.
• Work with their Partners in India to plan and further expand their current cost management services in EEME & APAC to other regions, to support project budgets, tender reviews, GIC2 documentation and final accounts.
• Assist as necessary on tender analysis on specific initiatives or schemes eg. Regional casework tender
• Working with franchised brands develop plans to leverage their buying either via equipment suppliers or preferred contractors to deliver schemes with reduced cost/m2 whilst ensuring are fit for purpose.
• Develop existing benchmarking tools based both on internal costs psm as well as against market / competitors to ensure our Client is best in class / top quartile.
• Support the development of “future store” concepts in terms of methods of construction eg. modular, use of technology etc to optimise cost/m2, ensuring schemes are fit for purpose.
• Ensure schemes reviewed comply with the Group energy standards eg. Building management systems, LEDs etc.
• Support delivery of our Client’s Sustainability strategy towards Net Zero, including embedding proven initiatives into standard cost models ensuring scheme compliance.

Key Working Relationships: The post holder will be expected to aspire & live by our Client’s Values in all that you do developing strong working relationships with:

• Country Property / Capital Project Teams
• Group Commercial Teams
• External suppliers such as their Partners in India
• All Rail and Air Landlords and their technical and commercial representatives
• Operations
• Support Functions i.e. Finance, Marketing
• All retained consultants and contractors

The Person Specification

Essential:

• Held a Client side Senior Capital Projects / Cost management role within an International multibrand, Customer facing business
• Experience working independently and remotely, delivering through Team’s located in different Countries.
• Highly commercial – must have a proven track record in value creation and deployment and embedding best practice
• Presentation and confidence skills to the executive board and senior management
• Strong attention to detail, work prioritisation and meeting deadlines
• Experience of working across a complex stakeholder base and operating through influence and not just line authority
• 10-15 years of project management experience in a complex Retail / Leisure or F&B environment
• A relevant degree in Quantity Surveying / Construction management, Programme management or similar
• Strong skills in IT eg. Excel / databases / Board level report writing

Desirable:

• Experience in F & B at Air/Train locations
• UK based
• Able to deal with different cultures and approaches as well as manage expectations
• Financially and commercially astute
• An agile multi-tasker who is comfortable with change
• Hungry and keen to develop their career

The Salary & Supporting Benefits:

Attractive base salary. Bonus of up to 30%, Car Allowance, Pension, Private Health, Life Assurance, Share Plan, and 25 days holiday with option to purchase additional holidays through the company ALPS Scheme etc.

The Location:

The above are principal elements in an attractive and comprehensive package reflecting our Client’s determination to appoint a first class candidate.

It is our policy to practice equal opportunities in recruitment and selection for all candidates.

We have a responsibility to avoid unlawful discrimination.