Construction Team Leader

The Construction Team Leader is responsible for the end-to-end execution of all RRR (Renovations, Remodels & Repairs) construction projects nationwide, ensuring delivery on time, within approved budgets, and in full compliance with Highlands Coffee’s construction, technical, safety, and quality standards.
The role focuses on hands-on construction execution, coordinating closely with Design, MEP, Operations, Supply Chain, and external contractors to minimize operational disruption while upgrading store assets and guest experience, in line with approved plans and standards.

1. Key Accountabilities

RRR Project Planning & Site Readiness

• Review approved RRR scope, drawings, BOQ, and schedules to ensure constructability, cost control, and execution feasibility.
• Conduct site assessments to validate site readiness, access constraints, operational risks, and phasing requirements.
• Support the Nationwide Construction Senior Manager in translating approved annual RRR plans into executable rollout and phasing plans, by providing inputs on site conditions, execution capacity, sequencing feasibility, and operational constraints.
• Support the Nationwide Construction Senior Manager by providing execution-based inputs for RRR project sequencing and prioritization.
• Develop detailed construction execution plans, including phasing, safety controls, and mitigation plans for live-store environments.

End-to-End RRR Construction Execution & Cost Control

• Lead daily execution of RRR projects from site mobilization through completion and handover.
• Manage contractors’ on-site performance, ensuring compliance with approved drawings, technical specifications, timelines, and safety standards
• Track progress against schedule and approved budgets; proactively identify delays, variations, or risks and implement corrective actions.
• Review and validate variation orders, ensuring scope justification, cost reasonableness, and required approvals before execution.
• Coordinate night works, phased construction, or temporary closures to minimize disruption to store operations.
• Ensure timely punch-list closure, defect rectification, and operational readiness for handover with minimal disruption to store operations.

Quality Assurance & Safety

• Ensure all RRR construction works comply with approved design intent, construction standards, technical specifications, and material requirements.
• Enforce site safety standards, contractor safety plans, and compliance with local regulations, landlord requirements, and internal HSE policies.
• Coordinate inspections, testing, and commissioning activities with MEP, Design, and Operations teams.
• Conduct regular site inspections and audits to identify quality issues early, reduce rework, and mitigate construction risks.

Monitor workmanship quality and site conditions to ensure safe, compliant, and durable store environments.

Stakeholders Collaboration & Reporting

• Work closely with Design, MEP, FF&E, Repair & Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Operations to ensure accurate execution and smooth project handover.
• Align construction schedules with Operations to support store reopening plans and operational readiness, minimizing business disruption.
• Coordinate contractor, supplier, and consultant activities to maintain schedule integrity and execution quality.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, site records, and as-built information.
• Provide regular progress, cost, and risk updates to the Nationwide Construction Senior Manager, promptly escalating execution, cost, or schedule risks with clear analysis and mitigation plans.

Education/ Training Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or a related field.

• Relevant professional certifications (e.g. Construction Management, Project Management, HSE) are an advantage.

Experience

• 05+ years of experience in construction execution, preferably within retail, F&B, hospitality, or multi-site rollout environments.

• Proven hands-on experience managing renovation, remodel, or live-store construction projects with minimal operational disruption.

• Experience in contractor management, site supervision, and coordination of multiple concurrent projects.

Knowledge of:

• Strong working knowledge of construction methods, materials, and sequencing for retail/ F&B environments.

• Practical understanding of BOQ, cost baselines, variation orders, and construction contracts.

• Good knowledge of MEP systems, fit-out standards, and equipment installation relevant to store environments.

• Sound understanding of construction safety standards, local building codes, fire-safety regulations, and landlord requirements.

• Familiarity with live-store construction constraints, phased execution, and night works.

• Working knowledge of construction documentation, drawings, specifications, and as-built requirements.