Primary Purpose

The Store Development Director - Remodels provides strategic and operational leadership for Food Lion's remodel and special-project Capital program. This position leads the planning, design, budgeting, permitting, bidding, construction, and closeout activities required to deliver projects safely, efficiently, and in alignment with brand, customer, and operational objectives.

The role manages a significant annual capital program, including more than 100 market-driven remodels and other complex projects that require extensive pre-planning and coordinated execution in active grocery retail environments. The Director partners closely with Food Lion leadership and cross-functional teams to minimize disruption to store operations and sales while delivering projects on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with quality and safety standards.

This position leads a team of Construction Managers, Store Planning and Format Specialists, Architecture & Engineering professionals, and Project Coordinators. The Director also establishes operating standards, manages risk and stakeholder relationships, and serves as a senior source of direction for complex project and field-related issues.

Our flexible/ hybrid work schedule includes 3 in-person days at one of our core locations and 2 remote days. Our core office locations include Salisbury, NC.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Duties and Responsibilities

Portfolio and Program Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of Food Lion's annual and multi-year remodel and special-project capital plans, including scope, sequencing, budgets, schedules, risk, and resource requirements.
• Partner with the Food Lion Brand Leadership Team and Division Leadership to establish project priorities, phasing strategies, and execution plans that support business objectives while minimizing disruption to customers, associates, sales, and store operations.
• Provide strategic direction for complex remodels, department rollouts, expansions, acquisitions, non-store facilities, and other special projects, as assigned.
• Communicate material scope, budget, schedule, operational, and risk issues to senior leadership and recommend effective courses of action.

Planning, Design, and Engineering

• Lead and coordinate the work of Store Planning, Format Planning, Architecture, Engineering, Civil/Site Design, Building Design Services, CAD, and related project teams.
• Review and approve prototype and site-specific layouts, fixture plans, design concepts, and project documents to ensure alignment with Food Lion's customer experience, operational, brand, and capital objectives.
• Evaluate alternative layouts, design solutions, materials, and construction approaches to improve customer experience, operational efficiency, maintainability, and project value.
• Ensure that project scope and design decisions appropriately address site conditions, building codes, permitting requirements, constructability, accessibility, sustainability, and store operations.
• Collaborate with Real Estate, Maintenance, Operations, Merchandising, Finance, Procurement, and other partners to ensure that project requirements are fully incorporated into project plans.

Construction and Field Execution

• Direct the pre-construction and construction execution of remodels and special projects, including due diligence, design, estimating, budgeting, permitting, procurement, construction, commissioning, turnover, and closeout.
• Establish project phasing and construction strategies appropriate for active retail environments, including projects involving shutdowns, seasonal constraints, compressed schedules, or unusual site conditions.
• Direct Construction and Project Managers in resolving field issues and provide guidance regarding construction means, methods, sequencing, and cost-effective alternatives.
• Conduct site visits and project reviews to assess conditions, monitor progress, evaluate risks, and ensure alignment with approved scope, schedule, budget, quality, and safety expectations.
• Coordinate with Maintenance and other operational partners to support turnover, opening readiness, warranty resolution, and long-term facility performance.

Capital, Cost, and Contract Management

• Review and approve project appropriations, budgets, estimates, bids, awards, change orders, and cost forecasts in accordance with company governance and approval requirements.
• Partner with Estimating and Finance to develop accurate project budgets, monitor expenditures, forecast final costs, and identify opportunities to improve value and cash flow.
• Manage the bidding strategy for assigned projects, including contracting approach, pre-bid meetings, bid evaluation, scope clarification, negotiations, and contractor selection.
• Ensure that contractors and consultants are appropriately qualified and that contracting decisions balance cost, schedule, quality, risk, and project complexity.
• Negotiate with contractors, consultants, trade partners, and labor representatives, including union officials where applicable, to support successful project delivery.

Operating Standards, Risk, and Compliance

• Develop, maintain, and implement department policies, procedures, standards, reporting practices, and project governance requirements.
• Establish consistent processes for special-project requests, approvals, prioritization, execution, reporting, and closeout.
• Ensure compliance with applicable building codes, permitting requirements, company policies, safety standards, environmental requirements, and contractual obligations.
• Promote sustainable design and construction practices, including the appropriate use of LEED principles and other company sustainability objectives.
• Identify and mitigate project risks related to cost, schedule, safety, quality, permitting, labor, supply chain, contractor performance, and store operations.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a multidisciplinary team of Construction Managers, Store Planning and Format Specialists, Architecture and Engineering professionals, and Project Coordinators.
• Establish clear performance expectations, accountabilities, development plans, and operating rhythms for the team.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing feedback, recognition, and coaching.
• Build a culture of collaboration, accountability, customer focus, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Perform other duties and support additional initiatives as assigned to meet the needs of the business and support company values.
• Additional job duties may be assigned as needed to meet the needs of the business and support our Values.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, Business, Real Estate, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• At least 10 years of progressive experience in retail construction, commercial construction, architecture, engineering, store development, or a related discipline.
• Experience leading remodels, renovations, capital projects, or other construction programs in active operating facilities.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects or a large-scale capital portfolio.
• Demonstrated experience leading, developing, and evaluating professional and/or field-based teams.
• Strong knowledge of construction methods, materials, design processes, project delivery methods, and applicable building codes.
• Demonstrated experience managing project budgets, estimates, bids, contracts, schedules, change orders, and contractor performance.
• Strong strategic planning, negotiation, problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with senior leaders, business partners, contractors, consultants, government officials, labor representatives, and field teams.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work through ambiguity, and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to travel greater than 30% and visit active construction sites as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in grocery, food retail, big-box retail, or another multi-site retail environment.
• Experience managing remodel programs with a high volume of concurrent projects.
• Experience with projects requiring phased construction, temporary operations, shutdowns, or accelerated schedules.
• Professional certification such as Certified Construction Manager, Project Management Professional, Professional Engineer, Registered Architect, or equivalent.
• OSHA 30-hour training or other relevant construction safety certification.
• LEED accreditation or demonstrated experience incorporating sustainable design and construction practices.
• Experience with construction management, estimating, scheduling, budgeting, or facilities/project-management systems.

ME/NC/PA/SC Salary Range: $161,600 - $242,400

Actual compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on their unique qualifications and experience, internal equity, and market conditions. Final compensation decisions will be made in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.

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