The incumbent serves as the primary driver of all development and capital projects — from feasibility and design through construction, commissioning, and handover — while simultaneously maintaining a command of facilities operations across the organization's retail network.

JOB SUMMARY

The Facilities & Development Project Engineer is a senior operational and technical leadership role within the Facilities and Development Department. The incumbent serves as the primary driver of all development and capital projects — from feasibility and design through construction, commissioning, and handover — while simultaneously maintaining a command of facilities operations across the organisation's retail network.

The Project Engineer must bridge the gap between technical execution and business strategy, translating complex construction and engineering realities into clear decisions for executive stakeholders.

The ideal candidate brings proven retail project management experience, an engineering or construction management foundation, and the emotional intelligence to navigate the cross-functional demands of a dynamic, multi-department organisation. They must be self-aware, energetic, ethically grounded, genuinely open to feedback, and capable of seeing — and advocating for — perspectives beyond their own.

JOB DUTIES

The Project Engineer owns the full project lifecycle for all development initiatives, including new store builds, flagship projects, renovations, relocations, and infrastructure upgrades.

 Initiation & Feasibility

• Lead site assessments and feasibility studies for new retail locations and development opportunities
• Develop Project Charters including scope, objectives, stakeholder map, and preliminary budget estimates
• Conduct return on investment (ROI) analyses and present findings to management for approval
• Engage early-stage stakeholders across Finance, Operations, Category Management, Merchandizing, Marketing, I.T.and HR to align project intent with business requirements

 Design & Technical Coordination

• Collect, consolidate, and manage detailed technical requirements from all relevant departments
• Commission and manage architects, interior designers, MEP consultants, and specialist contractors
• Create, review and critique technical drawings, shop drawings, specifications, and design packages
• Produce or oversee schematic layouts, space planning visuals, and design presentations for stakeholder approval
• Ensure all designs comply with local building codes, fire safety regulations, accessibility standards, and brand guidelines

 Planning & Scheduling

• Develop comprehensive, fully integrated project plans covering all workstreams: construction, equipment, merchandizing, IT, marketing, HR, and operations.
• Create and maintain detailed Gantt charts using MS Project, Primavera, or equivalent tools, with milestones, dependencies, and critical path clearly defined
• Identify schedule risks, develop mitigation plans, and actively manage float and contingency within the programme
• Produce and issue formal project management documents including Project Execution Plans, Scope of Work packages, Request for Quotation (RFQ) documents, and Change Orders
• Lead tendering processes: prepare tender packages, evaluate bids, and make contractor recommendations

 Execution & Site Management

• Conduct regular site meetings and inspections, issue formal Site Meeting Minutes and Action Logs
• Manage contractor and consultant performance against contract terms, schedule, and quality standards
• Monitor and control project budgets; issue monthly cost reports and variance analyses
• Identify and manage scope changes through a formal change control process
• Maintain project risk registers and issue management logs throughout execution
• Ensure all health, safety, and environmental (HSE) requirements are always met on-site

 Closeout & Handover

• Lead snagging and defect rectification processes; issue and close snag lists methodically
• Coordinate regulatory inspections, obtain occupancy certificates, and ensure all statutory sign-offs are in place
• Oversee operational readiness verification across all workstreams prior to store handover
• Compile and issue complete project dossiers including as-built drawings, warranties, manuals, and lessons learned reports
• Conduct post-project evaluations and present findings to the Facilities & Development Manager

 Support to Other Department Functions

• Support projects for installation and maintenance of CCTV, access control, and alarm systems.
• Support external Guard Patrol activities through reporting, supervision and problem solving where needed.
• Ensure compliance with occupational health and safety standards.
• Provide minor maintenance and transportation support to company vehicles (where applicable).
• Support all Facilities Maintenance activities where needed. 

The following technical proficiencies are required or strongly preferred. The Project Engineer must be comfortable working across both engineering/construction contexts and business/management environments. 

• Ability to produce or contribute to architectural and engineering drawings using AutoCAD or equivalent
• Proficiency in reviewing structural, MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), and fit-out drawings for constructability and compliance
• Capability to produce schematic space plans, layout options, and design presentations for non-technical stakeholders
• Understanding of building codes, local planning regulations, and fire safety design principles applicable to retail environments 

• Advanced proficiency in Gantt chart development and critical path method (CPM) scheduling
• Hands-on experience with MS Project, Primavera P6, or equivalent project scheduling software
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel for cost tracking and reporting, Word for documentation, PowerPoint for stakeholder presentations)
• Familiarity with project collaboration platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Asana, Procore, or similar) 

• Solid understanding of construction methods, sequencing, and site management protocols
• Ability to review and interrogate Scopes of Work, Bills of Quantities, and contractor proposals
• Familiarity with MEP systems in a retail environment: HVAC, refrigeration, electrical distribution, plumbing, and data/comms infrastructure
• Understanding of commissioning, testing, and handover processes for built environments 

• Competence in project budget development, cost tracking, and variance reporting
• Ability to prepare and evaluate ROI analyses, cost-benefit assessments, and capital expenditure proposals
• Experience in contract administration, change order management, and claims awareness

 Experience Requirements

 Working Conditions & Profile

This role is not constrained to normal office hours or conditions. The Project Engineer must be flexible, mobile, and physically capable of performing their duties across a range of environments.

• Frequent travel to active construction sites, retail stores, and supplier/contractor premises is required
• Outdoor and on-site working conditions will be encountered regularly, including exposure to construction environments, noise, and variable weather
• After-hours and weekend availability will be required at critical project milestones, launch periods, and during construction phases where sequencing demands it
• Physical ability to conduct site walks, access rooftops or service areas, and move through active construction zones in appropriate PPE
• The role requires the management of competing priorities across a live project portfolio and an organisational structure with multiple senior stakeholders