At Blue Bottle Coffee, we are passionate about becoming the undisputed leader in specialty coffee—from seed to cup to culture. As we continue to grow in Korea, we are looking for a strategic, hands-on leader to drive our store development efforts. Reporting to the General Manager of Korea, with a dotted line to our Global Head of Cafe Design, you will collaborate closely with both local and global leadership. You will oversee real estate, store design and development, and facilities, playing a critical role in shaping our future cafes and bringing our brand vision to life.
You will:
- Develop and execute strategies to ensure efficient and effective store development, balancing creative vision with business objectives.
- Select, negotiate with, and manage general contractors, designers, and vendors to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
- Provide clear project updates and priorities to key stakeholders, ensuring alignment and focus across teams.
- Identify, assess, and secure new cafe locations, conducting due diligence and negotiating lease terms.
- Partner with our design team to uphold design intent while adhering to budget and regulatory requirements.
- Partner with Global Cafe Design to deliver Brand accretive cafe design and guest experiences in local market.
- Oversee permitting processes, building strong relationships with regulatory departments to meet health and building codes without compromising design integrity.
You are:
- A proactive problem-solver with a positive, can-do attitude.
- Passionate about design and detail-oriented.
- Strategic, with the ability to see both the big picture and the finer details.
- A strong communicator, skilled at distilling complex information and keeping multiple stakeholders aligned.
- Confident and skilled in negotiations, securing best-in-market terms with vendors and landlords.
- Energized by a fast-paced, dynamic environment where challenges and changes are part of the journey.
- Able to travel 20–30% of the time (mainly regional/domestic) for site sourcing and construction oversight.
You have:
- 10+ years of experience in construction, architectural design, and project management, including vendor and contractor management.
- 3+ years of experience leading the development of retail spaces (experience in cafes or F&B is a plus).
- 3+ years of experience managing design and development teams.
- 3+ years of experience managing facilities.
- Deep knowledge of interior finishes, including sourcing materials, furniture, and fixtures.
- Strong proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite.
- Strong understanding of millwork design and fabrication methodologies.
- Strong understanding of Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Structural systems.
- Strong verbal and written English and Korean communication skills.
- And most importantly, a deep love for great coffee, food, and exceptional guest experiences.
Top Skills
What We Do
“Blue Bottle is coffee and people. Not necessarily in that order.”
—James Freeman, Founder
In our eyes, coffee’s main purpose is to be delicious. We go to great lengths to source, roast, taste, and prepare coffee so our guests can enjoy it at peak deliciousness.
We know that good coffee depends on strong community. We work directly with farmers around the world to source our coffees as sustainably and ethically as we can. We hire team members who are dedicated to creating beautiful experiences with coffee.
From the farm to the cafe, our coffee is handled by people who care.
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