Architectural Design Technician

Do you want to be part of a community and grow a career? At Southern Co-op we work hard because we want to do well and the more successful we are the more we can give back to our members and communities - that s the beauty of a co-operative.

We have an exciting opportunity for an Architectural Design Technician to join our team.

You ll produce design proposals for the existing estate (commercial and residential property), End of Life, Food and franchise opportunities, new sites, new builds, conversions of existing property.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Produce feasibility designs (Phase 1) to meet the needs of prescribed principles (to include auto tracking and liaising with logistics), as set out in specification documents, and general business requirements
• Space optimisation externally and internally (Phase 2)
• Prepare outline design proposals including site plans, general arrangement drawings, planning applications, utilising up to date knowledge of building regulations and other relevant statutory requirements
• Support the Property team on site survey visits, measured surveys, project meetings with developers or local authorities and sign off meetings with internal stakeholders
• Work closely with the senior stakeholders to produce preliminary "block plan" for approval
• Work with the Franchise Development Manager to support the needs of franchisees (i.e. new stores and re-ranging/merchandising)
• Liaise with our planning consultants to obtain planning consents.
• Prepare legal and lease plans.
• Prepare and update Premises Licence drawings and Post Office drawings
• Prioritise own workloads to meet the requirements of the Development schedule and critical path analysis for each project
• Work in association with external contractors and brand guidelines to prepare and present internal and external branding proposals for approval
• Create visualisations to support and accompany sign off of projects
• Take ownership of the weekly Plans Meeting including sending pre-reads, liaising with internal stakeholders and providing meeting minutes
• Manage the issue of approved plans electronically and in hard copy as required for internal and external users e.g. for licensing purposes, cost consultants.
• Maintain and keep updated the CAD library for all sites including store plans for all trading stores, changes or more widespread space changes
• Retail projects - Produce store-specific block layouts applying the relevant format space models to achieve the required category space allocation (base linear or shelf-linear metres) reflecting the capacity of existing and new equipment types, customer circulation and service elements to meet the project s space allocation brief
• Retail projects - Develop indicative retail area fixture layouts that maximise the use of selling space and incorporate the required customer service facilities for the designated store format
• Retail projects - Interpret and apply format model layouts to achieve the optimal category layouts (i.e. desired sequencing and inter/intra-aisle category adjacencies) to deliver the required customer proposition and customer journey around the store

KEY EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Experience in store design, architecture, property development and/or project management (some experience within a food retail environment is preferential)
• Formal qualification in building construction or architectural studies, with a good working knowledge of Building Regulations and planning application processes
• Proficient in AutoCAD with experience of Sketch-Up or another similar 3-D graphics application
• Spatial awareness to visualise 2D plans into real world environments
• Exceptional attention to detail, committed to achieving the best possible solution on every project
• A confident completer-finisher, self-motivated with good numeracy and project management skills
• Communication - to be able to influence decision makers through the application of knowledge of passive design, building regulations, planning approvals and designing out cost implications and health and safety risks
• Organised and able to manage multiple conflicting priorities
• Support office based, but with flexibility for occasional travel across the south of England

If you re passionate about design, and have a background in a fast-paced environment then we would love to hear from you. In return, we will offer a competitive salary and benefits package, as well as the opportunity to develop your skills and grow your career.