Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Software
Timeline
Hi, I’m

James Stryker

Architect
Martinsville,NJ
James Stryker

Summary

Energetic and detailed-oriented professional with expansive experience in retail, commercial, restaurant, light industrial, and residential project development, design, and construction. Accomplished at collaborating and building strong relationships with internal Real Estate, Construction, Development, Operations, Information Technology, Loss Prevention, Marketing, and Store personnel as well as external Developers, Design Professionals, Planning/Zoning/Building Departments, Vendors, and General Contractors.

Proven ability to handle multiple projects and teams simultaneously under pressure, to quickly analyze/ assess issues, confidently create and communicate solutions, and provide support to senior executives and lead team members.

Overview

37
years of professional experience
4
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Bed Bath & Beyond
Union, NJ

Architectural Manager
06.2012 - 10.2022

Job overview


  • Managed the five BED BATH & BEYOND family of brands including new construction, renovations, and relocations of projects ranging from $200K to $25m.
  • Supervised the negotiations, design, and construction of over 200 locations (US and Canada) including Project Entitlements/Due Diligence (hiring Land Use Attorneys, Civil Engineers, Surveyors, Geotechnical and Environmental Consultants), Design (in-house and hiring Architects, Structural and MEP Engineers, FP/FA Engineers), Developed and Reviewed/Approved Construction Documents, Secured Utility Rebates (Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing for high efficiency equipment) while applying effective time management techniques to meet tight deadlines.
  • Managed space planning, design, development, and construction of a unique 155k s.f. "mall" project on two floors in Brooklyn historical building (Liberty View Center) incorporating BBB, Baby, Harmon, World Market, a restaurant/bar, expo/teaching kitchen, three individual food/beverage kiosks, beauty salon, customer service hub, open common atrium, and custom vertical transportation. Designed custom storefronts, signs, and fixtures for each brand and restaurants to harmoniously fit within industrial building while maintaining brand images. Designed each stores lighting and supervised common area and restaurant lighting, HVAC. plumbing and electrical design. Working with restaurant management, developed custom logos and graphics for each food entity including menus and flyers. Designed and supervised construction of two-story outdoor open-structure building entry and site pylon and monument signs.
  • Supervised a team to develop a prototype Baby Boutique (located in NYC). Working within a tight budget, designed the storefront (adhering to Historic Building guidelines), lighting, color and materials, custom passenger elevator, new logo and graphics, and innovative flexible fixtures that allowed for departments to be expanded and reduced easily by store personnel (this concept was then introduced to standard Baby stores) maximizing potential sales. Working with outside HVAC engineer, designed a custom HVAC package to maximize low ceiling heights and small store footprint.
  • Designed new Baby exterior building prototype to better project interior image and appeal to primary customer while also reducing cost by 20%. Supervised implementation of roll-out to new and renovated stores.
  • Supervised a team to develop and implement the first Food Departments within 50+ BBB stores, many of which included beer and wine, and refrigeration. Designed the fixtures, lighting, color and materials, signs and custom tasting/demo hub (including flexible plumbing and electric system for easy beverage equipment moving/replacement). Established refrigeration vendor as a National Account reducing costs by 25% and allowing roll-out and installation of refrigeration to stores across the country.
  • Due to my skills at working independently and collaboratively supervise a team and ability to develop/create innovative solutions, selected by senior executives to design and manage most of the company's "High-profile" new and renovation projects in urban areas and unique, difficult footprints.
  • Partnered with Purchasing teams to negotiate contracts with vendors and suppliers keeping material costs within set budgets and ensuring timeline and design compliance requirements are met.
  • Represent the brands in all public hearings and meetings (Planning and Zoning Board, Board of Adjustments, Historical Committees, Beverage/Alcohol Divisions, Building Officials, Fire Marshalls, Town Attorneys, Mayors) and negotiations (Developers, Landlords, Sellers).
  • Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications.

Bed Bath & Beyond
Union, NJ

Architectural Project Manager
08.1999 - 06.2012

Mikasa
Secaucus, NJ

Director of Store Planning
03.1993 - 07.1999

Job overview

  • Managed Store Planning/Construction/Facilities Departments. Established departmental performance goals, regular team-building activities, and training programs resulting in reduced time in preparation of store plans and 8+ years of employee retention.
  • Designed and implemented a comprehensive new store prototype package for efficient CD preparation which reduced preparation time by approximately 20%.
  • To address issues in existing stores as company concentrated on rolling-out new stores, created a Facilities Department that grew from a single person to three resulting in existing stores maintaining a high-level appearance and operation.
  • As company transitioned from outlet stores to more regional mall stores, working with Visual and Merchandise Departments, developed a new store prototype design including storefront, fixture, lighting, and material and colors, and modified logo.
  • Developed a national account vendor program for store fixtures and lighting reducing costs and lead-time for each, and improving availability of the products.
  • Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
  • Developed project budgets for new and remodel stores and managed production costs.

Mikasa
Secaucus, NJ

Assistant Director of Store Planning
03.1992 - 02.1993

Omni Design & Construction Group
Plainsboro, NJ

Project Manager/Designer
03.1988 - 03.1992

Job overview

  • Developed and designed residential, light commercial, and retail projects.
  • Created presentation drawings/packages and models and presented to executive management and outside clients.
  • Developed and prepared construction documents coordinating with engineers and consultants.
  • Devised and reworked the structural design of a commercial office building project on a sloping site resulting in greatly reduced costs and construction.
  • Planned and scheduled construction phases for projects.
  • Negotiated and managed third-party (structural, electrical, HVAC engineer, and sub-contractor contracts.

U.N.I. Engineering
Hightstown, NJ

Draftsman/Group Manager
06.1987 - 03.1988

Job overview

  • Developed accurate petroleum and chemical piping and electrical and plumbing diagrams and drawings from information provided by engineers and field surveys.
  • Reviewed, redlined, and approved other project managers drawings.

Baltzer Architects And Developers
Princeton, NJ

Residential Carpenter
06.1985 - 06.1987

Job overview


  • Constructed high-end residential projects from foundation up, including rough framing, interiors, finish trim and siding.
  • Coordinated construction and details with the owner/architect.

Education

University of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Architecture
09.1983 - 06.1987

University Overview

  • Dean's List
  • Selected to represent student committee to work with Gwathmey/Siegal Partners for the design development of the new School of Architecture
  • Selected as one of four students to present my work in a presentation to the reaccreditation committee
  • Awarded first place in school-wide engineering competition
  • Beaux Arts Ball committee member

Skills

Project and Team Leadership and Management

undefined

Software

BLUEBEAM (Revu) 2018

Microsoft Project and Office

Timeline

Architectural Manager

Bed Bath & Beyond
06.2012 - 10.2022

Architectural Project Manager

Bed Bath & Beyond
08.1999 - 06.2012

Director of Store Planning

Mikasa
03.1993 - 07.1999

Assistant Director of Store Planning

Mikasa
03.1992 - 02.1993

Project Manager/Designer

Omni Design & Construction Group
03.1988 - 03.1992

Draftsman/Group Manager

U.N.I. Engineering
06.1987 - 03.1988

Residential Carpenter

Baltzer Architects And Developers
06.1985 - 06.1987

University of North Carolina At Charlotte

Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Architecture
09.1983 - 06.1987

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
James StrykerArchitect