Real Estate Manager

Merchants Distributors - Hickory, NC

Full-time

Hickory, NC

Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods

About the position

The Real Estate Manager at Alex Lee, Inc. plays a crucial role in supporting the company's growth through the strategic development and execution of long-range real estate plans. This position focuses on identifying and analyzing potential sites for new retail grocery stores while managing the existing real estate portfolio within designated geographies. Alex Lee, Inc. is a prominent player in the grocery retail and wholesale distribution sector in the southeastern United States, operating under various banners including Lowes Foods and Kj's Market, and overseeing wholesale distributors such as Merchants Distributors (MDI) and Souto Foods. In this role, the Real Estate Manager will conduct comprehensive store site analyses to assess the viability of future grocery locations. This includes managing the entire development process, which encompasses land use, site selection, negotiation, and securing internal approvals necessary for establishing new locations. The manager will also be responsible for negotiating Letters of Intent (LOIs), leases, and purchase contracts with landlords and developers, leveraging both internal and external legal resources to ensure favorable terms. The position requires active participation in Monthly Real Estate Committee meetings, where the manager will present new location proposals and provide senior leadership with insights and recommendations regarding the management of the existing asset portfolio. Collaboration with the Senior Director and Lease Administrator is essential for reviewing lease expiration reports and formulating strategies for lease renewals and renegotiations. Additionally, the Real Estate Manager will oversee third-party property management, brokerage, and legal support in leasing or selling owned real estate, while also monitoring real estate income and expenditures. The role may also involve supporting the assessment and disposal or redeployment of vacant and excess properties, ensuring that the company's real estate assets are managed effectively and strategically aligned with organizational goals.

Responsibilities

• Perform store site analysis to determine potential success for future grocery locations.
• Manage the full cycle development process including land use, site selection, analysis, negotiation, and internal approvals necessary to develop new location(s) in assigned geographies.
• Negotiate LOIs, Leases and Purchase Contracts with Landlords/Developers with the support of internal and external legal resources.
• Manage brokers, developers, and other consultants as necessary in assigned geographies.
• Participate in Monthly Real Estate Committee (REC) meetings including presenting new locations and communicating to senior leadership analysis and recommendations related to the management of an existing asset portfolio.
• Partner with Sr. Director and Lease Administrator to review lease expiration report and develop/implement renewal and renegotiation strategies.
• Support the Sr. Director on special projects related to supporting internal wholesale (MDI, Souto Foods, Import Mex) or other strategic organizational needs.
• Manage 3rd Party Property management, brokerage, and legal support in the Leasing and/or sale of owned real estate.
• Support the assessment and ultimate disposal/redeployment of vacant, owned and excess property.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with emphasis in real estate, finance, legal, business administration, or relevant study.
• A minimum of five years' experience in retail real estate; big box and/or grocery related experience strongly preferred.
• Extensive experience in negotiating real estate legal agreements (LOIs, Leases, Declarations) and managing/evaluating property transactions including purchases and sales of real property.
• Strong ability to analyze financial and demographic data.
• Proven ability to manage relationships with national, regional, and local developers and landlords.
• Experience in managing payments, negotiating contracts, and determining rental rates.
• Proficiency in real estate management software.
• General knowledge of real estate law, taxes, and financial statements.
• Ability to understand financial underwriting principles.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Strong problem solving, interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills required to interface effectively with internal and external customers.