Food Service Design Manager

Title: Food Service Design Manager – Data Centers

The Food Service Design Manager for Data Center environments is responsible for shaping spaces that support operational excellence, employee wellbeing, and high‑performance food programs. These include full‑service kitchens, serveries, micro‑kitchens, pantries, and support areas tailored to the unique demands of critical infrastructure sites.

In this role, you will be part of the client’s design and delivery team, driving the development of food environments in one of the world’s most complex and high‑performance work settings. While the focus is on back‑of‑house design and kitchen equipment specification, you will collaborate across teams, vendors, and consultants to ensure all food service areas are thoughtfully designed, compliant, and future‑ready.

The role will be working with a client in the technology sector, with primary operations in London and Dublin. Location is flexible.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end‑to‑end design of foodservice spaces in global data centers, with a focus on back‑of‑house functionality and kitchen equipment specification.
• Provide subject‑matter expertise across all project phases—from strategic planning and concept design to construction oversight and post‑occupancy review.
• Liaise with stakeholders on all aspects of kitchen and foodservice design, including BOH layout/flow, equipment technology, MEP requirements, goods‑in processes, and waste strategies.
• Ensure alignment between client objectives and the Food Service Consultant’s design strategy and drawing package.
• Review equipment selections and layouts to ensure compliance with design intent, operational capacity, sustainability goals, and the Plan of Record (PoR).
• Build relationships with third‑party food operators to validate early design input and align equipment requirements.
• Attend site inspections to verify installation quality, testing, commissioning, and operational readiness.
• Collaborate with Food Program, Real Estate, and Project Management teams to ensure seamless delivery.
• Onboard and align consultants and contractors with foodservice standards and expectations.
• Track and report project progress using dashboards and standardized tools, ensuring visibility across regions.
• Identify risks and deviations from the PoR, escalate as needed, and propose corrective actions.
• Apply lessons learned and industry best practices to improve processes and future environments.
• Support capital and resource planning through scope development, cost estimation, and forecasting.
• Meet pre‑established Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across all projects.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in Design (Architecture or Interior).
• In lieu of a degree: 3–5 years of relevant work experience.
• At least 12 years of professional design or design‑management experience focused on kitchen spaces and foodservice equipment.
• Experience in foodservice or retail operations and flow (direct or design‑based).
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Data Center projects (not required).
• Strong visual, written, and verbal communication skills with creative, innovative problem‑solving ability.
• Ability to work in a collaborative, fast‑paced environment with high motivation and initiative.
• Demonstrated leadership and strategic skills to prioritize evolving initiatives and turn ideas into effective outcomes.
• Detail‑oriented; able to manage multiple projects in different phases with minimal supervision.
• Understanding of permitting, construction terminology, building systems, and overall project sequencing.
  
  

Disclaimer

Please be advised that effective January 1, 2025, CBRE Project Management and Turner &Townsend were consolidated into a single global business entity. As a candidate applying for a position, you should be aware that while your initial employment may be with CBRE GWS, you will subsequently transfer directly to Turner & Townsend at a date to be determined.

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