Real Estate Manager

Great Place to Work Certified™
Best Workplaces™ in British Columbia 2025
Best Workplaces™ in Retail & Hospitality 2025

Real Estate Manager

Reports to: Senior Real Estate Manager

Location: Toronto, ON

At COBS Bread, we are growing our bakery network and looking for a commercially minded Real Estate Manager to join our Growth team. You will identify, assess and secure high-potential retail locations across Canada, helping our franchise partners find the right sites for long-term success.

Reporting to the Senior Real Estate Manager, you will combine market research, strong industry relationships and lease negotiation expertise to move opportunities from site identification through to signed leases. You will work closely with franchisees, regional leaders and internal teams to prepare site recommendations and support new bakery openings.

What you will be responsible for:

Site Selection and Market Research

- Identify, qualify and pursue high-potential real estate opportunities across Canada.
- Conduct market research, including demographic analysis, traffic patterns and market evidence, to assess locations and support site recommendations.
- Prepare and present detailed site packages for Senior Leadership approval in collaboration with internal teams.
- Build and maintain relationships with brokers, landlords and developers to identify opportunities and secure optimal locations.

Lease Negotiations and Documentation

- Work with brokers to negotiate lease offers and terms within COBS Bread parameters.
- Prepare lease analysis reports and obtain franchisee and Regional Director agreement to proposed terms.
- Work with COBS Bread’s legal counsel to finalize lease documentation.
- Keep franchisees and COBS Bread management informed of negotiation progress and outcomes.

Construction and Pipeline Coordination

- Coordinate with the Construction and Design team and landlords on signed leases and sites moving forward, providing accurate landlord information and supporting required approvals.
- Arrange site surveys with the Construction and Design team and support new bakery construction and refurbishments.
- Initiate and conduct regular meetings with Regional Directors and the Franchising team to review pipeline activity and site availability.
- Work with other departments to manage end-of-lease closures and bakery surrenders.

Industry Knowledge and Workplace Safety

- Maintain current knowledge of the retail property market and retail lease legislation through site visits, industry publications, professional networking, ICSC activities and conferences.
- Build effective relationships with franchisees, regional management, leasing agents, landlords and legal counsel.
- Contribute to a safe and healthy work environment and meet applicable workplace health and safety responsibilities.

Requirements

What you bring to the table:

- A university degree or equivalent in Property, Business or a related discipline.
- Strong commercial acumen and in-depth knowledge of the retail and real estate industries.
- Strong knowledge of lease legislation and retail leases, supported by excellent negotiation skills.
- An established network of relationships with landlords, developers and brokers.
- Experience in quick-service restaurants, fast-casual dining or franchising is preferred.
- Experience using analytical tools and real estate market software to compile and analyze research data and prepare reports.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Teams and OneNote.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to manage complex situations, work with multiple stakeholders and communicate at all levels of management.
- The ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment and work both independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to travel within assigned markets for site visits, landlord meetings, franchisee meetings and town halls.

Benefits

What’s in it for you:

- Flexible work arrangements with a combination of working in the Support Office and remotely
- Competitive salary, bonus, and vacation plan
- A great Extended Health & Dental Benefit, Group RRSP Matching, and Health and Lifestyle spending account
- Paid sick and personal leave days
- Paid day for community service and volunteer time
- An open, ‘continuous-learning’ environment where professional development and career progression is encouraged
- Work within a dynamic, driven, high-achieving, close-knit and fun-loving team
- High level of autonomy and responsibility

We thank all applicants for their interest in COBS Bread but would like to advise that only applicants shortlisted for interview will be contacted.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.

About COBS Bread

With over 190 locations, COBS Bread serves fresh and delightful baked goods to communities across Canada. Any unsold items are donated daily to various local charities and food banks. The company's success can be attributed to the quality of our product, the development of our people and our warm and friendly customer service.

COBS Bread is part of Bakers Delight – Established in 1980 operating as Bakers Delight in Australia and New Zealand, and since 2003 as COBS Bread in Canada and the USA. Together we have grown to more than 700 bakeries across Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. The entire network employs over 15,000 people, serving more than 2.1 million customers each week.

Our Values:

- Bring Passion and Purpose – Being deeply connected to why we do what we do. Contribute to something meaningful to our team, customers, and community.
- Be Open and Honest – Being clear, respectful, and transparent even when its uncomfortable. Creating a safe space for others to speak up, ask questions, and share ideas constructively.
- Make it Better – Not settling for “good enough”: Always looking for ways to improve the way we work, the experience we offer, or how we grow as individuals and teams. Demonstrating a continuous learning mindset.
- Take Ownership – taking responsibility for outcomes, not just assigned tasks. Being clear on what we are accountable for, owning up to results (good or bad), and following through on commitments.

Accessibility

Accommodation is available upon request for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you are contacted for a job opportunity, please advise us of any accommodations needed to ensure you have access to a fair and equitable process. Any information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

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