Groundworks Site Manager – Major Residential Projects (Kent)

Site Manager – Residential Groundworks & Infrastructure

Location: Kent
Company: Coinford Ltd
Sector: Residential Groundworks / Housing Developments

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Coinford is an established specialist groundworks and civil engineering contractor, delivering major residential developments across London and the South East.

As part of our continued growth, we are looking for an experienced Residential Groundworks Site Manager to join our operational team, taking responsibility for the delivery of groundworks packages on housing developments across South East London.

We are particularly interested in individuals with a proven background working for specialist groundworks contractors, who understand the demands of residential construction and can confidently manage projects from initial site preparation through to completed infrastructure and plot handovers.

This is an opportunity to join a business with a strong pipeline of projects, high operational standards and a reputation built on the quality of its people and the work they deliver.

The Role

As Site Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management, coordination and delivery of residential groundworks packages, ensuring works are completed safely, efficiently, commercially and in accordance with programme requirements.

You will oversee multiple work fronts, coordinate directly employed labour, subcontractors, plant and materials, and work closely with the Project Manager, commercial team and principal contractor to maintain progress across the development.

Your technical experience should include managing and coordinating works such as:

• Site preparation and enabling works: Site clearance, reduced-level excavations, bulk earthworks, cut and fill operations and formation preparation.
• Foundations and substructures: Strip and trench-fill foundations, pad foundations, ground beams, reinforced foundations and associated concrete works.
• Plot drainage: Internal and external plot drainage, foul and surface water connections, inspection chambers and associated underground services.
• Deep drainage and infrastructure: Main drainage runs, deep excavations, trench support, manholes, attenuation systems and associated infrastructure.
• Roads and external works: Road formations, sub-base construction, kerbing, footpaths, edgings, paving and preparation for surfacing.
• Plot progression: Coordinating foundations, drainage, oversites, floor slabs and associated works to achieve agreed plot release and handover dates.
• External works and finishes: Driveways, parking areas, hard landscaping, retaining structures and final external groundworks.

Key Responsibilities

Site Management & Programme Delivery

• Take ownership of day-to-day site operations, ensuring multiple gangs and work fronts are coordinated effectively.
• Plan and sequence groundworks activities to achieve agreed build programmes, plot completions and infrastructure milestones.
• Manage the interface between groundworks operations, housebuilding teams, other trades and subcontractors to prevent delays and disruption.
• Identify potential programme constraints early, including access, design information, materials, plant availability and labour requirements.
• Attend site coordination and progress meetings, providing accurate updates on progress, risks and forthcoming requirements.

Labour, Plant & Commercial Awareness

• Effectively manage directly employed groundworks gangs, foremen, engineers, plant operators and subcontractors.
• Monitor labour and plant productivity, ensuring resources are aligned with programme requirements and planned outputs.
• Understand the commercial implications of site decisions, delays, variations and inefficient resource utilisation.
• Work closely with the Project Manager and commercial team to identify additional works, variations and potential cost implications.
• Ensure materials are ordered, coordinated and utilised efficiently to minimise waste and unnecessary expenditure.

Technical Delivery & Quality

• Interpret and work from construction drawings, specifications, setting-out information and engineering details.
• Ensure foundations, drainage, road construction and associated groundworks are delivered to the required technical standards.
• Coordinate inspections, testing and approvals, including drainage testing, compaction testing and foundation inspections where applicable.
• Maintain quality assurance records, inspection documentation and accurate as-built information.
• Ensure completed works are handed over to the principal contractor in accordance with agreed requirements.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Maintain high standards of health, safety and environmental management across all groundworks operations.
• Ensure RAMS, permits, briefings and toolbox talks are implemented and adhered to.
• Oversee safe excavation practices, temporary works requirements, service avoidance and plant movements.
• Ensure works comply with site-specific procedures, company policies and relevant legislation.

About You

We are looking for an experienced, hands-on Site Manager who understands residential groundworks and has the confidence to manage complex construction activities, multiple gangs and demanding build programmes.

Essential:

• Proven experience as a Site Manager working for a specialist residential groundworks contractor.
• Strong technical knowledge of foundations, drainage, roads, infrastructure and plot groundworks.
• Experience delivering groundworks packages on large-scale housing developments.
• Ability to plan, sequence and manage multiple work fronts simultaneously.
• A sound understanding of labour and plant productivity, resource planning and commercial performance.
• Confident reading and interpreting construction drawings, specifications and programmes.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage directly employed labour and subcontractors.
• CITB SMSTS (5-Day).
• Valid First Aid at Work certification.
• Right to work in the UK.

Desirable:

• CSCS Black Manager Card.
• Experience working with major national or regional housebuilders.
• Experience managing phased developments with demanding plot completion and handover programmes.
• Familiarity with temporary works, deep drainage and complex infrastructure packages.

Why Join Coinford?

At Coinford, we recognise that successful projects depend on experienced people who understand their trade, take ownership of their responsibilities and are committed to delivering work to the highest standards.

We offer:

• Competitive rates of pay with weekly payment arrangements.
• A strong pipeline of residential groundworks and infrastructure projects across London and the South East.
• The opportunity to manage substantial, technically varied residential developments.
• A supportive and experienced operational management structure.
• Opportunities for continued professional development and career progression.
• The opportunity to build a long-term career with an established specialist contractor.

Apply Directly to Coinford

If you are an experienced Residential Groundworks Site Manager looking for your next opportunity, we would welcome a confidential conversation.

This is a direct recruitment opportunity with Coinford, not through an agency.

Email: recruitment@coinford.co.uk
Office: 01342 840 084
Direct: 07584 362224 – Ben Firth, Construction Labour Manager