Real Estate & Store Development Manager

About the Role
We are an innovative robotics company specializing in automated solutions for the Food & Beverage (F&B) industry. As we aggressively expand our footprint across the United States, we are seeking a highly driven and experienced Real Estate & Store Development Manager.
In this role, you will be the driving force behind bringing our commercial robotic concepts to life. You will own the end-to-end lifecycle of new store openings—from identifying high-value commercial real estate opportunities and negotiating leases, to managing permits, overseeing store modifications, and ensuring successful, on-time project delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Site Selection & Acquisition: Proactively scout and identify prime commercial locations across the US that align with our strategic goals and technical requirements for robotic F&B operations.
• Lease Negotiation: Lead communications with landlords, brokers, and property managers. Negotiate Letters of Intent (LOIs), lease agreements, and tenant improvement (TI) allowances to secure favorable business terms.
• Permitting & Compliance: Navigate local municipal codes, zoning laws, and health department regulations. Expedite and secure all necessary building, health, and operational permits required for F&B robotic establishments.
• Construction & Project Management: Coordinate with architects, general contractors, and internal engineering teams. Oversee site modifications, MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) upgrades, and store build-outs to ensure they meet our specific technical specifications.
• Timeline & Budget Management: Develop and maintain rigorous project schedules. Ensure all store locations are delivered on-time, on-budget, and fully operational for the handover to the operations team.
• Vendor Management: Source, vet, and manage local contractors, expediters, and third-party vendors in various target markets.

Qualifications

• Experience: 3-5+ years of experience in Commercial Real Estate, Retail Store Development, Site Acquisition, or Project Management, preferably within the Food & Beverage, Restaurant, or innovative retail sectors.
• Industry Network (Key Requirement): Possess a strong professional network and business resources within leading U.S. food service management and contract catering companies (such as Compass, Sodexo, Aramark, Elior) to rapidly drive business partnerships and expansion.
• Real Estate Acumen: Proven track record of successfully negotiating commercial leases and understanding standard real estate legal terminology.
• Permit & Construction Knowledge: Familiarity with the permitting process (especially related to F&B health codes) and basic understanding of construction and MEP requirements.
• Project Management Skills: Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple site developments simultaneously across different states.
• Communication: Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, capable of building relationships with diverse stakeholders (landlords, contractors, city officials).
• Flexibility: Willingness and ability to travel extensively across the US (up to [e.g., 50-70%]) to visit prospective sites and monitor construction progress.

Pay: $90,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person