Senior Specialist, Store Development

Philz Coffee•Los Angeles, CA

4d•Remote

About The Position

The Senior Specialist, Store Development coordinates and oversees aspects of new-store construction from project kickoff through completion. The role manages contractors and vendors, project documentation, payments, and project reporting to help ensure stores open on schedule and within budget. The position is currently remote and requires residence in the Greater Los Angeles area. Beginning April 2027, the team will transition to an in-office environment in North Long Beach, California, Monday through Thursday.

Requirements

At least 3 years of experience in a fast-paced, high-growth environment overseeing construction administration, project coordination, or a related role.
At least 2 years overseeing construction-related financial processes, including vendor invoicing, accounts payable, progress billings, retention, and change orders.
Working knowledge of construction contracts, preliminary notices, lien releases, and related documentation requirements, particularly in California.
Strong organizational and project management skills with high attention to detail.
Proficiency in Excel, Google Workspace, and document management tools.
Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
Ability to meet the listed essential physical requirements: visual acuity; conveying spoken ideas and instructions; repetitive wrist, hand, and/or finger motions; extending hands and arms; occasional bending, reaching, pulling, pushing, and arm/hand extension; sitting for extended periods; and exerting up to 10–20 pounds occasionally, up to 10 pounds frequently, or negligible force constantly.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting multi-unit retail, restaurant, or commercial construction projects.
Experience with construction and financial systems such as Kahua, Smartsheet, DocuSign, Tipalti, and Capturis.

Responsibilities

Manage assigned aspects of new-store construction projects from kickoff through completion, evaluating priorities and addressing challenges to keep projects on schedule and within budget.
Review contractor agreements, Notices to Proceed, change orders, and construction documentation for accuracy, completeness, and alignment with project requirements; identify discrepancies and recommend resolutions.
Oversee project closeout, reviewing documentation, outstanding obligations, and potential risks.
Assess permitting, utility, scheduling, and Certificate of Occupancy requirements; identify potential delays, resolve issues, and escalate matters requiring leadership intervention.
Partner with Real Estate to review landlord requirements and Tenant Improvement Allowance documentation, identify gaps, and recommend solutions to support reimbursements.
Manage vendor-related financial activities across assigned projects, evaluating proposals, estimates, invoices, and payment requests against budgets, contracts, and project priorities.
Analyze construction progress billings, retention payments, deposits, and change orders; identify discrepancies and financial exposure and recommend corrective actions.
Monitor project financial commitments and payment obligations, identify budget variances and outstanding liabilities, and seek opportunities to mitigate financial risk.
Evaluate vendor onboarding documents and requirements, resolve exceptions, and ensure vendors meet contractual and payment requirements.
Assess equipment, fixtures, furnishings, and other project purchases; identify delivery or payment risks and take appropriate action to minimize disruption.
Oversee preliminary notices and lien release requirements, identify potential compliance or financial risks, and coordinate resolutions.
Establish and maintain project documentation and reporting practices to support project execution.
Assess project status, competing priorities, and outstanding deliverables; identify risks and recommend adjustments.
Develop project updates, recommendations, and actionable insights for Development leadership.
Serve as a key point of contact for contractors, vendors, municipalities, and internal stakeholders; resolve routine project challenges and determine when escalation is needed.
Identify and implement improvements to development processes, financial controls, and cross-functional workflows to increase efficiency and reduce operational risk.