JULY 2024CONSTRUCTIONBUSINESSREVIEW.COM8IN MYOPINIONMy specialty is a project manager owner's representative. I manage all construction and remodels at Tilly's retail store. We have 240 stores throughout the US. My role is similar to that of a general contractor project manager; we both manage architects, engineers, contracts, schedules, budgets, bidding, reading blueprints, correspondence, and warranty issues. While they are busy managing their superintendent and sub-contractors, I am busy looking at construction leasing exhibits from landlord developers, collecting tenant allowance, meeting with store operations my end user, handling one-off special projects like recladding storefronts, tracking deliveries, ordering products from vendors and managing delivery of owner furnished supplies to the job site.My general contractors tell me my current role is changing. My current status in other major retailers is relying more on architects and outsourced project managers to do their jobs. This has led to inconsistencies in the blueprint drawings, change orders and jobs missing schedules.The blueprint drawings are the most important part of a retailer's job. If the drawings have errors that are not corrected once determined, they will continue to be an unreliable source of buildability. General contractors following the drawings are incorrectly building details, and once brought to the owner's rep, they need to be revised, which costs time and money. Then, By Michele Fleming, Construction Manager, TillysTHE FACETS OF THE RETAIL CONSTRUCTION SECTOR `OWNER PERSPECTIVE'Michele Fleming
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