Associate Manager, Store Design & Site Development

Associate Manager, Store Design & Site Development

3 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

This range is provided by Wakefern Food Corp. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

$/yr - $/yr

• Annual Bonus
• Direct messaging to the job poster from Wakefern Food Corp.

Wakefern Food Corp. is the largest retailer‑owned cooperative in the United States and supports its co‑operative members' retail operations, trading under the Shop Rite®, Price Rite®, The Fresh Grocer®, Dearborn Markets®, Fairway Market®, Gourmet Garage®, Di Bruno Bros.®, and Morton Williams® banners.

Employing an innovative approach to wholesale business services, Wakefern focuses on helping the independent retailer compete in a big business world. Providing the tools entrepreneurs need to stay a step ahead of the competition, Wakefern’s co‑operative members benefit from the company’s extensive portfolio of services, including innovative technology, private label development, and best‑in‑class procurement practices.

The Associate Manager of Store Design & Site Development leads the end‑to‑end planning, design, and execution of new store development projects. This role ensures that all site and store designs meet operational, aesthetic, and brand standards while coordinating with internal stakeholders and external partners to deliver high quality, cost‑effective, and timely store openings. This role also oversees a team of three project engineers responsible for designing store layouts and ensuring alignment with Wakefern’s merchandising and operational standards.

• Supervise and mentor a team of three project engineers focused on store layout design.
• Assign projects, manage workloads, and ensure timely delivery of design milestones.
• Provide guidance on design standards, technical challenges, and cross‑functional coordination.
• Evaluate potential sites for new supermarket locations, including store sizing and truck routing.
• Oversee site plan creation for member and Wakefern‑identified locations.
• Collaborate with Real Estate on lease‑related construction issues, including tenant/landlord work schedules.
• Develop lease exhibits such as pylon signage and exterior elevations.
• Ensure site lighting complies with Wakefern standards.
• Lead store planning and design processes to align with Wakefern merchandising and operational standards.
• Design lighting plans and select appropriate fixtures.
• Issue RFPs and coordinate with architects, engineers, and consultants.
• Review and approve design documents to ensure alignment with customer experience and operational goals.

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in commercial site development, preferably in retail or supermarket environments.
• Strong knowledge of supermarket operations and store planning.
• Familiarity with zoning, permitting, and construction processes.
• Proficiency in design and project management tools (e.g., AutoCAD, Adobe, Sketch Up).
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.
• Willingness to travel to project sites as needed.

• Ability to monitor computer screens, access interactive meetings with camera and sound.
• Ability to work a hybrid schedule as established by the company.
• Ability to sit, stand, bend and walk retail sites for long periods of time.
• Ability to travel to project sites as needed, including long distances.
• Think Strategically
  :
  Create a compelling vision, develop a strategy and empower others to achieve it.
• Influence Others
  :
  The ability to effectively collaborate, inspire, persuade and align others.
• Drive Change
  :
  Create the vision and drive the momentum for change.
• Talent Planning
  :
  Build organizational and associate capability to achieve business goals.
• Take Accountability
  :
  Drive a culture of ownership throughout the organization.

• Communicate Effectively
  :
  Communicates thoughts and ideas in a well‑organized manner, encouraging two‑way communication.
• Build Relationships
  :
  Creates cross‑functional partnerships through the…