CAVA · 22 hours ago
Senior Design Manager
New York, NY
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
10+ years expCAVA is a rapidly expanding fast-casual restaurant and CPG brand focusing on fresh, Mediterranean-inspired, better-for-you cuisine. They are seeking a Senior Design Manager to join the Development Group, responsible for ensuring high brand standards in design projects and collaborating with various partners to facilitate the national expansion of CAVA restaurants and products.
Food and BeverageFood ProcessingHospitalityRestaurants
No H1B
Responsibilities
Partner with team in the continuous improvement of Cava’s Design Prototype Documents
Ensure Architectural consultant deliverables are in accordance with Industry Standards and Best Practices
Evaluate the Design Process on a bi-annual basis, identify opportunities to streamline the team’s efforts as the organization grows. Work with SVP Design & Construction to implement process improvements
Lead the onboarding and training of new design team members
Responsible for performing, coordinating, and/or managing design activities during pre-lease and design phases for the national expansion of CAVA restaurants and CAVA Products production facilities
Assist Real Estate team in the evaluation of prospective locations and provide feedback on draft Letter of Intent and/or Landlord Work Letter. Provide initial test fits and lease exhibits for sites
Coordinate internal meetings with cross-functional partners for final design approval
Prepare initial project schedules in conjunction with internal stakeholders for review/approval by corporate leadership
Manage Design Consultants’ project contracts, scope of work, and schedules. Review and ensure consultant deliverables are in accordance with design and brand standards
Work with internal development partners and Design Consultants to prepare full project due diligence reports
Coordinate with Utility Consultants during due diligence. Review site reports with Design/Engineering Consultants to provide scope of work assessments to project team
Moderate Project Kick-Off meetings with internal stakeholders and Consultants
Review and coordinate Landlord’s scope of work with Design Consultants’ Construction Documents
Coordinate design activities by various vendors during design phase, including architect, MEP engineer, kitchen equipment vendor, internal/external signage vendor(s), millwork fabricator, etc
Review design documents and specifications and facilitate various reviews by CAVA team members
Assist Construction Managers to validate project budgets are in accordance with scope of work
Facilitate Landlord approvals of CAVA’s design, as required
Work with licensed Consultants to oversee jurisdictional approvals and building permits are obtained for projects. Attend jurisdictional approval meetings to present designs, as required
Travel to restaurant sites in any CAVA/Zoe’s Kitchen markets and attend construction progress meetings as needed, to ensure brand standards and project requirements are met
Partner with Construction team to resolve on-site issues, provide sketches and responses as necessary to Contractor RFI’s
Maintain detailed files for all projects in accordance with CAVA filing standards
Collaborate with internal partners to evaluate and enhance brand recognition and design standards
Assist Department leadership in various brand initiatives that may include concept/schematic design, interior and industrial design
Assist Department leadership with design presentations and R&D
Identify opportunities for the use of new technology and materials
Qualification
Required
Minimum 10 years' post-collegiate experience designing hospitality/retail/restaurant projects
Minimum 4 years' experience working for a company with a roll-out program (retail/restaurants/hospitality)
Minimum 4 years' experience overseeing the design of restaurant or similar foodservice projects, with knowledge of health code requirements and restaurant infrastructure (HVAC and exhaust systems, kitchen equipment, etc)
Minimum 2 years in a management role, overseeing a team of design or architecture professionals
Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, and Adobe Creative Suite proficient
Able to manage several projects and consultants simultaneously, and work with multiple project stakeholders across the organization
Strong communication and time management skills
Knowledge of retail/restaurant/hospitality design industry trends and best practices
Positive attitude with team-driven mentality and detail oriented approach
Ability to travel up to 30% throughout CAVA and Zoe's markets
Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods
Must be able to operate a computer and other office equipment
Must be able to identify, assess and observe detail
Must be able to push and pull up to 35 pounds
Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
Must be able to sit, squat and kneel occasionally
Must be able to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner
May be required to occasionally work in outdoor weather conditions
Preferred
Rendering, 3D modeling, and hand sketching skills a plus
Benefits
Competitive salary, plus bonus and long-term incentives
Early Wage Access!
Unlimited PTO, paid parental leave, plus paid opportunities to give back to the community
Health, Dental, Vision, Telemedicine, Pet Insurance plus more!
401k enrollment with CAVA contribution
Company-paid STD, LTD, Life and AD&D coverage for salaried positions
Free CAVA food
Casual work environment
The opportunity to be on the ground floor of a rapidly growing brand
Company
CAVA
At CAVA, we work every day to bring heart, health, and humanity to food.
5001-10000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$738.34MKey Investors
T. Rowe PriceInvusSWaN & Legend Venture Partners
2023-06-14IPO
2021-04-27Series F· $190M
2019-12-10Series Unknown· $40M
Leadership Team
Brett Schulman
Co-Founder & CEO
J
Jonathan Braatvedt
Interim Chief Operations Officer
Recent News
The Motley Fool
2026-02-02
2026-01-13
2026-01-13
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