Projects and Planning Engineer – Commercial Services

As we expand our retail footprint at pace, and we seek a seasoned, technically strong Projects and Planning Engineer to lead that growth from first site survey to fully trading store. You will own the end-to-end delivery of our retail store, turnkey and facility projects across Zambia: measured site surveys, design, quantity surveying (BoQs, BOMs, cost estimates and valuations), procurement, construction quality control, commissioning and handover. Every project will be delivered on time, within budget and to specification. Beyond the project season, you will lead our maintenance planning office, driving planned maintenance, PM scheduling and work planning for our regional maintenance teams, so that every outlet meets the highest standards of safety, compliance and operational uptime.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Delivery

·       Own all store, turnkey and facility projects end to end: site survey, design, quantities, approvals, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover.

·       Conduct measured and condition site surveys, covering structure, levels, drainage, power, water, access and logistics.

·       Prepare store layouts and drawings (AutoCAD) to Yalelo standards, including cold rooms, freezer positions, gutting and scaling areas, electrical layout and branding.

·       Build and maintain an integrated project schedule (Gantt and critical path) and a single vendor calendar, with long-lead items ordered on time.

·       Manage contractors and run weekly progress meetings and reports; manage each project through its approval gates.

Quantity Surveying and Cost Control

·       Take off quantities and prepare Bills of Quantities (BoQ) and Bills of Materials (BOM) for every project and planned job.

·       Prepare cost estimates and BOSCARD inputs that include logistics, permits and power backup.

·       Benchmark contractor quotes against Yalelo BoQs; value work on site before payments are certified; control variations and final accounts.

·       Support Procurement with technical scoping, tender packs, bid evaluations and framework rates.

Construction Quality, Commissioning & Handover

·       Implement and enforce the Yalelo construction quality standard: materials and mixes, curing, damp proofing and drainage falls.

·       Carry out hold-point inspections and testing before key stages (concrete pours, closing in services, floor finishes, cold room installation).

·       Commission freezers, cold rooms, power backup and electrical installations before stock is delivered.

·       Lead snagging and handover with Retail and Maintenance; complete as-builts, warranties, O&M manuals and the asset register.

Maintenance Planning and Scheduling

·       Own the annual planned maintenance (PM) calendar for all outlets and assets on Fiix.

·       Issue weekly work plans and job cards with BOMs to the regional Maintenance Foremen; route work to reduce repeat trips.

·       Track PM compliance and make sure all PMs and planned jobs are closed with evidence on Fiix.

·       Analyse breakdown history to shift work from reactive to planned, and feed asset replacements into the capex plan.

·       Plan service-vendor visits (refrigeration, gensets, fire equipment) against contracts and service levels.

Pipeline and Continuous Improvement

·       Survey, design and prepare BoQs for stores and refurbishments in the off-season.

·       Run outlet condition audits and prepare refurbishment and capex plans.

·       Develop standard store designs, specifications, templates and checklists.

·       Make sure all projects comply with SHE, food safety, permit-to-work and statutory requirements.

Must have skills

·       Site survey, setting out and levelling.

·       Quantity take-off, BoQ / BOM preparation and cost estimating.

·       AutoCAD, MS Project or Primavera, and advanced MS Excel; CMMS experience (Fiix preferred).

·       Sound knowledge of construction materials, concrete practice and site quality control.

·       Strong planning, scheduling and contractor management skills.

·       KPI-driven, analytical and detail-oriented, with strong reporting, communication and problem-solving skills.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

·       Degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, or Construction / Building Science.

·       Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in construction projects, including retail or commercial fit-outs and turnkey projects.

·       Proven experience in quantity surveying (BoQ / BOM preparation, valuations, variations).

·       Substantial experience in project planning and maintenance scheduling.

·       Experience with cold rooms, refrigeration, power backup or food retail facilities is an added advantage.

·       Paid-up member of the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) or the Zambia Institute of Architects (ZIA).

·       Valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel extensively to outlets and project sites.

·       All qualifications must be verified by ZAQA.

If this is YOU, Yalelo wants to hear from you today!!!