Contracts Manager in Birmingham

To manage the construction projects within the business and meet the core requirement: to deliver a range of medium to large and often complex construction projects meeting all KPIs for Time, Cost and Quality. To manage, monitor and control the contractual requirements and managing the Contracts team, including a number of Site Managers utilising resources from other departments or externally resourced functions as required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES / ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Working with the team, whilst taking complete ownership and responsibility for all deliverable aspects of the project; including Health and Safety, Programme, Costs and Design information.
• Closely monitor site progress whilst maintaining awareness of forthcoming challenges ahead of upcoming tasks, ensuring a continuous flow of works on site.
• Develop systems and procedures to ensure the efficient and effective management of the Contracts Department and Site Management comply with best practice and QA procedures.
• Recommend any changes necessary to improve the Contracts and Site Management functions service quality speed/productivity; accuracy, consistency, responsiveness and flexibility.
• Keep up to date with any developments in contract management/project management systems, software and equipment, identifying opportunities and making proposals to improve the service subject to budgetary requirements.
• Direct and control Site Management Team to ensure that they are appropriately motivated, trained and carry out their responsibilities to the required standards.
• Promote and build good working relationships with all parts of the company, providing advice and assistance to all staff on any aspect of the Contract and Site Management function, processes and procedures.
• Proactively provide support to the business undertaking any other duties as identified by the Directors / Senior Managers.

PRE-CONTRACT STAGE

• Assist with preparation of tender stage programmes to ensure project can be realistically completed within stipulated time scales.
• Where time scale not given prepare programme to enable estimator to accurately price site preliminaries.
• Provide feedback on previously employed subcontractors and suggest suitable candidates for tender enquiries.
• Review design proposals and make suggestions and recommendations for improved buildability.
• Assist with preparation of Contractors Proposal Documentation.

CONTRACT

• Plan, coordinate and implement the LEAN Construction processes on site and ensure it is effectively managed by the site team to achieve regular and accurate programme status.
• Ensure that site activity performance data is collated and fed back to senior management regularly, to assist with continuous improvement within our supply chain.
• Develop and implement site specific progress trackers on core deliverables for the project, ensuring it is updated regularly to assist the surveying team with accurate payments for completed sub-contractor works.
• Rigorously embed sufficient quality management procedures on site to ensure we deliver the works to required standard whilst never compromising on the end product.
• Support site management team with managing the quality on site with the sub-contractors, escalating to contract enforcement where required.
• Ensure the design and commercial team are actively involved in ensuring the right quality is being achieved on site.
• Assist and agree, in the allocation of the appropriate site management teams to the specific needs of the future projects which will be agreed with Directors and Senior Management.
• Consult with and coordinate the team; inclusive of external parties such as the engineer, architect and other professionals, to deliver the appropriate procurement and design information in time for the site manager to construct the project as per programme.
• Interrogate the design solution and assess value engineering possibilities as the design evolves.
• Develop the construction programme and target programmes for the project ensuring the information release schedule and procurement schedule align with the activities of the site, applying specific emphasis on particular lead in times.
• Remaining agile; you must be aware of the critical path at all times, adapting the appropriate recovery strategies towards variations and unforeseen changes due to weather, material availability, poor sub-contractor performance, etc.
• Attend pre-order subcontract interviews to ensure that all elements of design, and site restrictions have been considered within their tender.
• Agree proposed method of construction and assist with final negotiations prior to placing subcontract order.
• Discuss and agree major items of material procurement with the Buyer e.g. window packages, brickwork, blockwork.
• Ensure that material samples are collated by the team for client approval in good time.
• Manage the administrative support who records and registers information received and subsequently distributes it to/from members of the design team and subcontractors via appropriate software.
• Assist in obtaining required permits e.g. road closures, demolition notices, building control etc and coordinate with the appropriate jurisdictions.
• Support the site managers to ensure that labour, materials, plant and subcontractors attend site at the right time and sequence to expedite the works.
• Ensure works are carried out in accordance with the Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan with due regard for personal health and safety and environmental legislation to prevent injuries or penalties.
• Attend monthly site meetings and provide client with detailed project progress report.
• Attend monthly internal management meetings and give a brief account of progress on site, subcontract procurement, financial performance, areas of risk and health and safety performance.

POST-CONTRACT

• Following an accepted handover procedure to the aftercare team; assist After-Care Manager to respond to any reported issues raised during the defects liability period and arrange for timely remedial works as required.
• Make arrangements for final inspection at the end of the defects liability period.
• Review subcontract performance and provide feedback to estimating department.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure all activities meet with and integrate with organisational requirements for quality management, health and safety, legal stipulations, environmental policies and general duty of care.
• Maintain and develop organisational culture, values and reputation in its markets and with all staff, customers, suppliers, partners and regulatory/official bodies.
• Attend seminars and training courses to update construction knowledge, contract practices and modern methods of construction.
• Work with senior management team to resource, recruit and select site based management staff as required following the ISO 9001 & 14001 process and procedures.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

THE CANDIDATE

The job holder will have a high level of energy, drive combined with strong customer service skills to ensure a quality Contract and Site Management service is delivered to a number of concurrent and maybe complex construction projects.

SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• HNC Building Studies / Possible Trades/Site Management Experience, BSc Construction Technology and Management / CIOB Accreditation
• 10+ Years Experience working in a commercial contracting environment
• Utilising computerised project management packages, and experience of managing the work of junior staff ensuring that their work is accurate and meets deadlines.