Group Head Of Capital Cost Management

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 c42,000 staff and their principal markets are UK & Ireland, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Middle East and India – c2,700 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 operator in 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£200m pa on capital projects which can be new build and refurbishments which equates to 300+ schemes that require approval by the Group Investment Committee.

The Position:

Reporting to the Group Capital Projects Director, you will support the Countries that our client operates in with delivering their capital programmes.

The primary responsibilities are:-

• Collaborating with the Group Capital Projects Director, Country Property Directors and Country Cost Managers, reviewing a Capital Projects Programme of c£200m spend, 300 projects ranging in value from £150k to £1m+ capital spend, deploying best practice to reduce cost/m2m delivering target savings.
• Managing and maintaining Group Capital Project Standards, Cost blueprint templates, benchmark databases and assist in developing and reporting on value creating initiatives.
• This Global and Strategic role involves working with multiple brands on various projects from new restaurant openings to refurbishments. The respective Country teams will manage onsite project delivery and administration of Contracts.

Other key duties and responsibilities will include:

• Reviewing all schemes £150k+ across the Group and recommend for approval to the Group Investment committee (GIC)
• Ensure due process has been followed with tendering, value engineering techniques deployed, compliance with Group category blueprints, equipment catalogue etc.
• Working with franchised brands to develop plans to leverage our clients buying either via equipment suppliers or preferred contractors to deliver schemes with reduced cost/m2 whilst ensuring are fit for purpose.
• Best practice - support the development of “future store” concepts in terms of methods of construction e.g. modular, off site, use of technology etc to optimise cost/m2, ensuring schemes are fit for purpose in a design to cost approach
• Develop existing benchmarking tools based both on internal costs/m2 as well as against market / competitors to ensure our client is best in class /top quartile.
• Assist as necessary on tender analysis on specific initiatives or schemes e.g. regional casework tender.
• Working with the Group Head of Store Design & Formats and our clients outsourced design house MDS in India, maintaining blueprint cost templates for core brand categories such as coffee and bakery, casual dining, bars etc to determine a cost/m2 and to validate any incremental scope.
• In conjunction with existing Country cost manager community, wor with MDS to plan and further expand their current cost management services in EEME & APAC to other regions, to support project budgets, tender reviews, investment committee documentation and final accounts
• Ensure schemes reviewed comply with the Group energy standards e.g. Building management systems, LEDs etc
• Support delivery of our clients Sustainability strategy towards Net Zero, including embedding proven initiatives into standard cost models ensuring scheme compliance.

The Person Specification:

To be successful in this role you will need:

• To have 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

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

• Country Property/Capital Projects Team
• Group Commercial Teams
• External suppliers such as MDS 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 Salary & Supporting Benefits:

Attractive base salary. Bonus of up to 30%, Car Allowance, Pension, Private Health, Life Assurance, Share Plan, Discounts, 25 day + Bank and Public Holidays and option to purchase additional holidays etc.

The Location:

2-3 days at the Head Office in London.

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.