Job Title: Global Category Manager - Real Estate (Remote - Anywhere in Europe)
Company Overview: [Insert Company Name] is a leading Food and Beverage company dedicated to. We operate globally, with a commitment to excellence and sustainability in all aspects of our business. Currently, we are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Global Category Manager to oversee our Real Estate category on a remote basis, with the flexibility to work from anywhere in Europe.
Job Description:
As the Global Category Manager for Real Estate, you will play a pivotal role in managing our company's global real estate portfolio and facilities. You will be responsible for developing and executing strategies to optimize our real estate assets, minimize costs, and support our business objectives. This role requires a strategic mindset, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and external partners across diverse geographical locations.
Key Responsibilities:
Category Strategy Development: Develop and implement a comprehensive category strategy for real estate, aligned with the company's overall goals and objectives. Identify opportunities to optimize the use of real estate assets and enhance operational efficiency.
Portfolio Management: Oversee the management of our global real estate portfolio, including offices, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and other property types. Evaluate lease agreements, property acquisitions, and dispositions to ensure alignment with strategic objectives and financial targets.
Lease Negotiation and Renewal: Lead lease negotiation and renewal processes, working closely with landlords, brokers, and legal advisors to secure favorable terms and conditions. Optimize lease structures, rental rates, and leasehold improvements to minimize costs and maximize value.
Space Planning and Utilization: Collaborate with internal stakeholders to assess space requirements and optimize space utilization across our real estate portfolio. Implement workplace strategies to support employee productivity, collaboration, and well-being.
Vendor Management: Manage relationships with third-party vendors and service providers, including property management firms, facility maintenance contractors, and real estate consultants. Ensure compliance with contractual obligations and service level agreements.
Financial Analysis: Conduct financial analysis of real estate transactions, including lease vs. buy analysis, net present value (NPV) calculations, and return on investment (ROI) analysis. Monitor real estate expenses and budgets, identifying opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements.
Risk Management: Identify and mitigate risks associated with real estate transactions and property ownership, including market risks, legal risks, and environmental risks. Develop contingency plans to address potential disruptions and ensure business continuity.
Regulatory Compliance: Stay informed about relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards related to real estate, zoning, land use, and environmental health and safety. Ensure compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
Sustainability Initiatives: Lead sustainability initiatives related to real estate and facilities management, including energy efficiency, waste reduction, and carbon footprint reduction. Implement best practices to promote environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
Stakeholder Communication: Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders, senior management, and cross-functional teams to provide updates on real estate initiatives, solicit feedback, and ensure alignment with business objectives.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field. Master's degree or professional certification (e.g., RICS, CCIM) preferred.
- Proven experience (6 years) in real estate management, corporate real estate, or commercial property management, with a focus on portfolio optimization and strategic planning.
- Strong negotiation skills and the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with landlords, brokers, and other real estate stakeholders.
- Analytical mindset with proficiency in financial analysis and modeling. Experience with real estate valuation methods, lease analysis, and financial reporting.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
- Fluency in English, both written and spoken. Additional language skills (e.g., German, French, Spanish) are a plus.
- Flexibility to travel occasionally for business meetings, site visits, and industry events.
