Design Manager

Just Salad; New York (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual salary + bonus program

Vacation time

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401K

Job summary

Just Salad is seeking a Design Manager in New York City to lead restaurant design from concept through construction, coordinating with internal teams and external consultants to meet brand standards.

The role requires 3–5 years in design, 3–5 years managing outside architectural/MEP consultants, and a professional degree in Architecture or Interior Design; travel is approximately 25%.

Qualifications

• 3D visualization skills (hand sketching, Revit, CAD).
• Knowledge of architectural detailing and specifications.
• Familiarity with building codes and health codes.

Responsibilities

• Manage design portion from concept to construction.
• Conduct site feasibility studies and test fits.
• Create functional equipment and floor plan layouts; ensure alignment with operations.
• Develop schematic design, finishes, lighting, signage, and interior artwork.
• Oversee external consultants' work quality and coordinated drawings.
• Review and approve shop drawings for coordination with construction docs.
• Maintain brand standards and prototype library; publish updates.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external vendors across the store development process.
• Travel approximately 25% of the time.

Skills

3D visualization

Architectural detailing

Coordination with consultants

Strong communication

Time management

Education

Professional degree in Architecture/Interior Design

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

SketchUp

Job description

The Design Manager will be responsible for applying the prototypical design at the site-specific project level. The Design Manager will report directly to the Development Project Director and work closely with the Construction & Real Estate teams to meet aggressive schedules. In addition, the Design Manager will coordinate with external vendors, consultants, and contractors to ensure projects are executed to the highest brand standards.In line with Just Salad’s mission to make everyday health and sustainability possible, you will also support initiatives to reduce Just Salad’s environmental footprint.

This position is based in New York City and is on site our NYC office

Reports to: Director of Project Development

We value partnership, incubate good ideas, inspire passion, and celebrate innovation. As the Design Manager, you are responsible for exemplifying the company culture in addition to the following:

• Manage design portion of projects from conceptual design through construction, adhering to timelines and budgets.
• Conduct site feasibility studies, including "test fits" for potential new restaurant locations.
• Directly responsible for creating the functional equipment and floor plan layout of new construction and renovation projects; ensuring layouts meet all business and operational needs; test fits for new site prospects including code checks
• Develop schematic design for new construction and renovation projects including finish and lighting layouts, exterior signage and trade dress design, and interior artwork package
• Monitor and manage the work quality of the external architectural and engineering consultants with drawing reviews and redlines to ensure they deliver high quality construction documents that comply with architectural and first-class building standards, applicable codes and health & safety regulations
• Order, review and approve shop drawings for each new construction and renovation project including signage, artwork, millwork, and furniture to ensure prototype integrity and proper coordination with construction drawings and field conditions
• Maintain brand standards / prototype library ensuring all designs align with company brand standards, Décor criteria, and operational needs. Oversee the selection of finishes, materials, and furniture, maintaining a material library for consistent branding. Manage and publish prototype updates.
• Communicate and coordinate cross-functionally with all internal departments as well as external vendors, consultants, and contractors throughout the entire store development process for every new construction and renovation project
• 25% of travel required

Our Team challenges each other as well as ourselves to be the best. Desired skills for this position include:

• 3-5 years of design experience; restaurant experience is ideal
• 3-5 years management of outside architectural, MEP and/or other design consultants
• Professional degree in Architecture, Interior Design and/or a related field of study

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Current working knowledge and experience with:
• 3D visualization (hand sketching, Revit, CAD programs, etc.)
• Working knowledge of design and color principles, architectural detailing, and specifications.
• Current knowledge of relevant professional building codes, health codes and compliance issues.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, highly organized and detail oriented.
• Self-starter with ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Strong work ethic and professional attitude with ability to thrive in a fluid, fast-moving, high pressure and constantly changing business environment.
• Ability to manage multiple project timelines and schedules simultaneously and work with little supervision to produce high quality work on strict timelines.
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency required. Prefer experience with ACAD/Revit and Google Sketch-up.

Benefits

• Annual Salary of $85,000 - $95,000 + eligible to participate in our corporate bonus program
• Paid Vacation, Sick Days, and Holidays
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Voluntary Long-Term Disability, Hospital Indemnity, Accident, Life + AD &D Insurance
• Eligibility to participate in our 401K
• Summer Fridays
• Fitness Discounts
• Pre-tax Benefits (Commuter Benefits, FSA, + HSA)
• Free Just Salad while working

  About Us

  Just Salad is a fast-casual restaurant chain with a mission to make everyday health and sustainability possible. The brand serves craveable, accessible, plant-centric meals made with homemade dressings, prepped-daily produce, from-scratch recipes and fresh, flavorful ingredients. Guests can choose from over 15 chef-designed salads, wraps, warm bowls, market plates, soups and smoothies, including classic offerings and rotating seasonal favorites. Empowering customers to “Eat with Purpose,” Just Salad is a Certified B Corporation™ and home to the world’s largest restaurant reusable program, as well as the first U.S. restaurant chain to carbon label its menu and offer a Climatarian menu category. The company was founded in 2006 and has over 100 locations across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Washington D.C.