Manager - Projects Design

Job Title: Manager – Projects Design

Summary

Lead the end-to-end design strategy and delivery for new stores and renovations, ensuring best-in-class retail experiences aligned with business objectives. Drive design innovation, consistency, and timely execution while managing a team of designers/architects and collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Design Planning

• Own the design process for all new stores and renovations in line with defined SLAs.
• Partner with Retail Leadership to understand business requirements, sales mix, and customer expectations, translating them into efficient and impactful store layouts.
• Ensure design solutions are scalable, cost-effective, and future-ready.

Store Layout & Space Planning

• Lead the planning of store layouts, ensuring optimal circulation, category zoning, and customer flow.
• Collaborate with Property, Retail, and Projects teams to gather site-specific technical details and resolve constraints proactively.
• Review and approve section allocations, obtaining final alignment with Head – Projects.

Design Development & Delivery

• Supervise the end-to-end store design process including fixture layouts, look & feel, and MEP service integration.
• Validate site measurements, address deviations, and ensure accuracy in design deliverables.
• Approve fixture layouts and store designs created in SketchUp and V-Ray, ensuring brand identity and customer experience standards are met.
• Partner with VM, Buying, and Retail Operations teams to integrate business requirements seamlessly into store design.
• Ensure complete documentation of drawings, assets, and design approvals at project handover stage.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Project Managers to ensure seamless translation of design into execution.
• Liaise with Procurement to ensure timely ordering and delivery of fixtures as per project timelines.
• Act as the design custodian in discussions with leadership, ensuring adherence to brand standards.

People

• Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and accountability within the design team.

Key Competencies

• Strong expertise in retail design, space planning, and store layout optimization.
• Proficiency in SketchUp, V-Ray, AutoCAD, and related design software.
• Ability to balance creativity with functionality, cost-efficiency, and speed-to-market.
• Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.