Cafe Development & Construction Project Manager (NJ/NY)

Job Description

Job Description

Report to: Director of Construction

With a projected 1,000 cafes in the United States by 2030, Paris Baguette is one of the fastest-growing neighborhood bakery cafés in the world. Our vision is to reestablish the neighborhood bakery café as the heart of the community around the world. Paris Baguette’s mission is to bring expertly crafted baked and brewed goods through a warm and welcoming bakery café experience that delivers joy to everyone.

If you are someone who has heart, wants to spread joy, nourish community and is ready to rise to the occasion, we are looking for you to join our growing team!

WHAT WE ARE HUNGRY FOR

The role manages all facets of Paris Baguette development projects, including initially coordination purchases, construction activities, coordinates internal teams and external partners, and works closely with franchisees to ensure projects stay on track, within budget, and aligned with Paris Baguette standards and the Café Development Roadmap.

This position connects Development, Operations, Marketing, Training and other support center departments to Franchise teams to ensure clear communication, accountability, and timely execution.

The ideal candidate will have strong construction and project management experience, business acumen, franchisee relationship skills, and an understanding of café or retail operations.

KNOWLEDGE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Development & Construction

• Manage all facets of the development process for new, relocated, and remodel café projects, from initial test-fit and design development through permitting, construction, final completion, and opening.
• Consult and guide construction activities to ensure projects are delivered in accordance with Paris Baguette design standards, specifications, approved scope, budget, and timeline.
• Manage Paris Baguette preferred general contractors, millwork vendors, sign vendors, and other project partners, including the development of new vendor relationships as needed.
• Develop and manage project scopes of work, budgets, cost estimates, delivery requirements, project schedules, and risk mitigation plans.
• Review project progress regularly and identify potential delays, cost issues, construction risks, or other obstacles that may impact the opening.
• Develop and implement action plans to address project delays and ensure timely completion.
• Provide recommendations for prototype, design, construction, and development process improvements.
• Provide construction and design guidance to franchisees and internal teams to ensure new cafés and redevelopments meet Paris Baguette standards.
• Ensure all construction-related requirements are coordinated with franchisee markets and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain strong communication with architects, contractors, vendors, franchisees, Operations, Development, and Support Center teams throughout the project lifecycle.

New Café Opening & Franchisee Management

• Establish and maintain credible, collaborative relationships with franchise owners and General Managers throughout the development and opening process.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned franchisees during new café openings and transfers, providing guidance and ensuring expectations are clearly communicated.
• Lead franchisees through the café development and opening process, including applicable onboarding and orientation programs.
• Coordinate the transition from construction completion to operational readiness and grand opening.
• Ensure each café is set up and ready to operate in accordance with Paris Baguette standards, including merchandising, station setup, wall items, signage, and other opening requirements.
• Support franchisees in identifying and resolving questions, concerns, and issues that may impact the development or opening of the café.
• Provide support and direction to Teams assigned to new café openings.
• Establish a post-opening support plan and coordinate follow-up to help ensure continued café success.

Cross-Functional Opening Coordination

• Coordinate with Marketing, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Training & Development, HR, Finance & Accounting, Information Technology, Real Estate, Legal, Field Operations, and other departments to ensure opening requirements are met.
• Hold internal and external stakeholders accountable for assigned deliverables, follow-up, and ownership.
• Maintain visibility into the complete opening timeline and identify interdependencies between construction, operational readiness, staffing, training, technology, supply chain, marketing, and other opening activities.
• Support franchisees with vendor account setup, opening orders, smallwares, food, paper, office supplies, and other opening requirements as appropriate.
• Support franchisees with manpower planning, staffing, scheduling, and operational readiness in partnership with the appropriate internal teams.
• Coordinate with Marketing to support soft-opening and grand-opening plans.
• Train and support franchisees on applicable systems and processes, including FranConnect and the Café Development Roadmap.

Budget, Timeline & Risk Management

• Track project and opening milestones against approved timelines and objectives.
• Provide regular status updates regarding project progress, budget, risks, outstanding decisions, and potential delays.
• Identify opportunities to improve project delivery, reduce unnecessary costs, and increase efficiency.
• Escalate significant project, construction, budget, or opening risks to Development Leadership in a timely manner.
• Ensure projects progress in accordance with approved business policies, programs, specifications, procedures, and development standards.

Brand & Process Excellence

• Ensure all new cafés, transfers, and applicable remodels reflect Paris Baguette design, brand, operational, and construction standards.
• Stay current with relevant bakery, café, retail, franchise, construction, and development practices.
• Provide feedback and recommendations regarding café development, construction, opening, and franchisee processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve the Café Development Roadmap and overall new café opening experience.
• Help identify, cascade, and implement global programs and regional development initiatives.
• Serve as a Brand Ambassador with a strong understanding of and commitment to Paris Baguette’s Mission, Vision, Brand Values, and Culture.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU NEED TO HAVE

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Construction, Business, Hospitality, Operations, or a related field preferred.
• At least 5 years of progressive experience in construction project management, café/restaurant development, retail development, operations, or a related field.
• Experience managing commercial construction and/or architectural projects in QSR, restaurant, retail, hospitality, or similarly fast-paced environments.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously across a geographically dispersed portfolio.
• Experience with franchise development and/or supporting franchisees preferred.
• Experience with high-volume, multi-unit café or restaurant openings strongly preferred.
• Bakery/café construction and/or operational experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of project budgets, construction schedules, permitting, design, vendors, and project risk management.
• Strong business acumen, including an understanding of operations, production, P&L considerations, and the factors that contribute to successful café openings.
• Exceptional organizational and communication skills with the ability to balance competing priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced, ever-changing, entrepreneurial environment.
• Ability to establish credibility and effectively communicate with franchise owners, General Managers, contractors, architects, vendors, and internal leadership.
• Strong project management skills with demonstrated ability to hold stakeholders accountable for deadlines and deliverables.
• Feedback is a gift! Ability to provide constructive feedback and recognition to every member of the organization, to ensure we have an open and transparent culture of high-performance standards.
• High emotional intelligence with the ability to work with, and manage diverse teams by being highly empathetic, intuitive, self-motivated and driven.
• Teams Win! Has to be a team player who fosters a collaborative and engaged teamwork environment.
• Being a Brand Ambassador, with an excellent knowledge of and commitment to Paris Baguette's Mission, Vision, Brand Values and Culture.
• Love of travel! Ability to commute to current Corporate and Franchise locations, as well as proposed openings as needed.

SWEET BENEFITS

• Competitive compensation
• Medical, Dental, Vision benefits
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid time off and paid Holidays
• High-Performance Culture
• Free Cake for your Birthday!