Senior Design Manager, Restaurant Architecture (US & Canada)

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ), based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation and Dairy Queen Canada, Inc. Through its subsidiaries, IDQ develops, licenses, and services a system of more than 7,800 DQ restaurants in more than 20 countries. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. For more information, visit DairyQueen.com.

Here at IDQ, we create extraordinary Fan experiences every day and we do this through our commitment to hiring and retaining only the best in class talent. We firmly believe that our employees are the catalyst to the success of the company where their initiative, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit are recognized and rewarded. We're looking for motivated, passionate and dedicated individuals with an inherent need and ambition to go after bigger challenges. 

We have an exciting opportunity available for a Senior Design Manager supporting US & Canada headquartered out of our corporate office in Bloomington, MN.  This role provides design, food service equipment, and building systems direction to expedite plan completion and project commencement within the established time frames for each project. Responsible for managing accurate documentation and timely implementation of prototypical design and operational standards for both new store development and reinvestment projects. Review project submissions to align with prototypical design criteria.  Manage and oversee new store and reinvestment project tracking progress and performance against established timeline and unit opening goals.

Key Accountabilities Include:

• Provide design, building systems, and food service equipment guidance to franchisees, architects, engineers, and general contractors utilizing AutoCad/Revit software and in accordance with current prototype documentation. Requires strong restaurant background, in-depth knowledge of various building construction types, current food and treat equipment specifications, and understanding of electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems in preferably the restaurant industry. Generate innovative, cost-effective solutions to current building design issues and implement those in future projects.
• Manage reinvestment and new store development documentation standards reflecting current prototype design and operational criteria. The design support documentation, and ensuing feasibility drawings, are to be created in accordance with prevailing building codes and ADA accessibility standards and are expected to be precise in their representation of a proposed location to provide a franchisee with a reasonable assessment of project viability and cost.
• Review project submissions from outside architects and designers promptly and accurately for alignment with either completed project feasibility drawings or current established design criteria guidelines and operational layout standards. Reviews are to be completed utilizing Bluebeam software with subsequent entry to the Synuma tracking software. Approved drawings are to be promptly distributed to necessary parties.
• Manage new store and reinvestment project tracking performance daily to achieve assigned timeline and opening unit goals utilizing the Synuma tracking software. Manage and/or monitor critical milestone tasks during the design phase and report status to franchisees, corporate staff and others to facilitate the restaurant development process. Based on prototype issues/discrepancies encountered by architects, builders, vendors, and internal departments, provide technical and design feedback to the Director of Design/Architecture to advance the accuracy of our prototype drawings.
• Perform liaison tasks with corporate staff in Operations, (USCI) Supply Chain, Marketing, and R&D as well as with outside vendors (signage, equipment, and graphics) to assure consistent facility design standards are implemented at each new store location.

The US national base salary range for this position is $115,037 - $143,796. This position is also eligible for a bonus. The base salary range displayed reflects the targeted hiring range for positions across all US locations. Individual pay is determined by job-related skills, work location and relevant education or experience.

Education & Qualifications

• M.A. or M.S. Degree in Architecture, Engineering Technology or related field. 
• Architect or designer with a minimum of 7-10 years project management and design experience and a multiple restaurant project background (QSR preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex cross-functional design projects independently and successfully.
• Directly related food service design and documentation experience including custom design and plan preparation, knowledge in the International Building Code (IBC) and compliance, and collaboration experience with architects, engineering disciplines, general contractors, and franchisees on construction plan interpretation.

Skills

• Strong ability to multi-task and prioritize multiple projects and requests simultaneously, within an intense, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong presentation skills, with the ability to articulate effectively and convincingly to a variety of audiences, including franchisee leadership and senior management.
• Leadership and Influencing Skills: Demonstrated strength at persuading, influencing and exercising leadership cross-functionally, to drive decisions and project plans. Demonstrated ability to both independently and effectively generate design resolutions, with little support needed from more senior management.
• Coaching and Mentoring Skills: Demonstrated ability to coach and mentor both internal team members along with external parties (including franchisees) in the accurate execution of approved brand design.
• Working knowledge of the following software applications:
  • Current in-office supported AutoCad software (min version 2019) and Revit software (min version 2016) to produce high quality and timely design intent feasibility drawings.
  • Bluebeam Revu 2021 and Photoshop (PS) software for design document rendering and project review notation.
  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word and Excel) application software for administrative purposes.

• In-depth knowledge of restaurant or QSR industry equipment specifications, use, and application in a prototype or non-prototype environment.
• Experience in a leadership role with construction documentation, and specifically detailing, of various building construction types (metal, wood, masonry, and steel).
• Practical understanding of various construction industry best practices and techniques.
• Knowledge and ability to put together a full set of construction documents.
• Relationship building skills with the ability to create mutually beneficial relationships with internal personnel as well as external service providers, architects, builders and franchisees.
• Informed written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate information in a department and/or team environment,
• Well organized and focused on detail and accuracy, as well as ability to provide daily project status updates for department tracking software.
• Provide excellent customer service to both internal and external customers.

Benefits

Our benefit package supports the well-being of our employees and their families.  Our comprehensive benefit package includes, medical, dental, 401K match, paid time off (including volunteer time as well as parental leave) and so much more!  To learn more about our great benefit offerings, Click Here.

Work Environment

Most positions located out of our global headquarters in Bloomington, MN will work a hybrid work schedule where you will work 3 collaboration days a week.  Additional in office time may be required to support team/project needs.  

Inclusion & Belonging

We are committed to creating a culture of inclusion and belonging for all who touch DQ. We believe in and commit to fostering a community where employees bring their authentic selves to work, and where we recruit, engage, and retain employees, franchise owners, and suppliers based on qualifications and merit. We strive to maintain an environment where everyone feels welcome.

IDQ is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new team members. You must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.