Head of Design & Construction

at  Mad Mex

ABOUT US

Mad Mex is focused on one thing, making and sharing the world’s best burrito by being the Most Loved and Respected Mexican Food Brand. With over 70 Restaurants across Australia (and an epic growth pipeline), we’re driven by our passion to share the food and culture of Mexico with our customers every day.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCES:

• 5+ years in Management in multi-site retail or QSR organisations, with scope across Construction, Design, and Procurement
• Demonstratable experience in excellent stakeholder management with proven effectiveness in working with complex stakeholders, including founders, franchisees, and operations field teams
• Demonstrable experience in continuous improvement and cost reduction, including offshore procurement and using overseas manufacturing to reduce costs
• Demonstrable experience in process improvement, resulting in reduced total turnaround times
• Intermediate level AutoCAD capabilities
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Ability to work independently with minimal direction and collaboratively in a team environment
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Head of Design & Construction is a pivotal leadership role requiring a strategic thinker who is excellent at stakeholder management, building robust relationships, and securing buy-in from all parties. The Head of Design and Construction is an effective leader who embodies the ’Own It’ value, driving continuous improvement, cost efficiency, and process optimization across the function.
Key responsibilities include building effective stakeholder relationships, continually sourcing and managing offshore procurement of materials and equipment, overseeing development and construction processes, and leading a dedicated team.
A priority for this role is to review current processes to improve efficiency, escalate projects, and reduce the total cost of restaurant builds and fit-outs. Additionally, this role involves advocating for the Mad Mex brand, contributing to the management team, and producing relevant reporting for the executive team and board.

TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE, OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL:

Cost Reduction:

• Assess and enhance project costs for a 30%+ reduction
• Review past projects for savings opportunities
• Continuously optimize cost efficiency
• Negotiate and cap occupancy costs
• Procure materials offshore for cost savings
• Identify equipment savings while ensuring project standards

Project Management:

• Manage project budgets, timelines, and scope, providing regular updates
• Oversee the entire project lifecycle with team accountability
• Proactively communicate progress and updates
• Identify and address issues and risks to minimise the impact on delivery

Restaurant Design & Construction:

• Manage restaurant design and construction, ensuring approvals and compliance
• Oversee landlord requirements and alignment with design briefs
• Direct and improve the design process with external firms
• Maintain updated standard details for quality compliance
• Ensure a minimum of three tenders and negotiate costs
• Oversee defect identification and rectification
• Ensure all licenses and compliance requirements are met