Field Operations Manager

Bird Nason Contracting Group's teamwork approach combines the efforts of our professional engineers, technical staff and skilled trades people to deliver challenging projects through safe operations and specialized services. Bird Nason Contracting Group rewards innovation and creativity and promotes a healthy balance between professional and personal life. 

We provide a wide variety of training including job specific safety and leadership training for apprentices and journeypersons. We value trade experience and support opportunities to advance into other positions in the firm including estimating, project management, site management or safety. We offer competitive wages, proper tools and a comprehensive benefits plan provided through The Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC). 

We are always searching for dynamic and dedicated individuals to join our ever-growing Bird Nason Contracting Group team. Please take a look at our current opportunities.

The Manager, Field Operations is accountable for the quality and execution of construction projects. The position is directly accountable to the Director of Operations and is based out of the office but will require travel to various project sites around western Canada to support these projects.

Leadership

• Support a corporate culture that encompasses the highest ethical standards and is aligned with the corporation’s core values. Promote teamwork and a positive work environment – motivate team members.
• Lead in the recruitment of new talent and liaise with other entities that may be sources of new talent (educational institutions, apprenticeship programs, etc.)
• Facilitate and conduct onboarding activities for new field employees.  Review onboarding procedures minimum annually in conjunction with People and Culture and modify as necessary.
• Support the development of employees through on-going coaching and mentoring.
• Help drive employee engagement and associated engagement plans, as well as any diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Interface with the regional Vice President to ensure adequate and timely workforce planning.
• Help drive a high-performance culture. Effectively manage performance of all direct and indirect reports in accordance with all established company processes.
• Identify and support employee training and development needs.
• Actively engage in talent review and succession planning processes.
• Promote a ‘One Bird’ mindset in our staff as outlined corporately.

Operations Management

• Provide input and guidance to both proposal and project teams in the pursuit and delivery of all projects to achieve the goals of the regional business plan.
• Work in accordance with Bird processes and Operations Manual to continuously improve project delivery services to ensure that the group leads the industry and exceeds client, consultant, trade expectations and all associated contract terms.
• Oversee the management of construction projects and project teams from a field perspective in accordance with all contract terms and to meet approved project targets related to safety, profitability, schedule, quality, sustainability and turn over by:
• Providing leadership to field teams to assist with project activities throughout the life cycle of the project, including quality, scheduling, HSE, documentation, and reporting.
• Providing leadership to field construction as required including the oversight of deliveries, logistics and execution plans and critical-path work schedules.
• Participating in project-specific stakeholder meetings/partnering sessions to understand feedback, input, and expectations.
• Understanding jurisdictions, rights and obligations to unions and applicable Employment Standards.
• Ensuring all project personnel and groups are being supported adequately and allocating accordingly.

Execution

Leadership and Employee Relations

• Organize and chair formal superintendents’ meetings with minutes/action items.
• Participate in and execute applicable corporate and regional initiatives as required, including active participation in Buildings West initiatives impacting field operations.
• Spearhead continuous improvement programs that capture value created.
• Support, communicate, and reinforce district team-building and social activities with site teams.
• Develop and maintain a craft labour skill matrix.
• Positively interface with the Director of Operations and provide regular monthly reporting on site labour listings, labour and equipment forecasting.

Business Development

• Participate in business development and preconstruction activities such as project opportunity interviews, proposal writing, risk assessment and value engineering.
• Work with the Proposal Lead and proposed superintendent to develop preliminary schedules, methodologies, and site logistics for pursuits.
• Assist in the development of a project Risk Matrix at the estimating/pursuit stage.

Procurement, Equipment, and Material Management

• Review management of equipment and materials across multiple projects and allocate resources as required.
• Take leadership in establishing and maintaining our shop/yard and work with equipment provider in the procurement, optimization of delivery, and rental of construction equipment.
• Maximize use of Bird-owned equipment across all construction sites.
• Oversee and manage the Bird vehicle fleet.
• Be involved in capital purchase planning.

Document Control and Quality

• Collaborate with the district Quality Manager and assist in the implementation of site-specific quality plans/ITP’s for each project
• Support the district quality manager and help ensure deficiency and NCR reporting is being performed throughout a project lifecycle.
• At project close-out, evaluate progress of redlines /as-built drawings/digital files, deficiencies, and punch list closeout.
• Assist site teams in managing any contract exceptions or barriers that hinder closeout/handover to the client.

Project Execution

• Conduct constructability reviews to bring value to the construction execution stage.
• Participate in the selection of trade subcontractors.
• Conduct pre-mobilization meetings and ensure project teams’ readiness to mobilize to site.
• Ensure collaboration between project teams that impact each other.
• Support set-up of multiple sites for construction
• Plan and allocate superintendents and craft labour resources to ensure timely and efficient project delivery, coordinating with Nason labour management group or other internal stakeholders.
• Participate in project monthly status review meetings with the project teams.
• Perform regular site visits to all construction projects with occasional attendance at:
  • Toolbox and Safety Meetings
  • Project team meetings
  • Client and stakeholder meetings
  • Trade partner progress and scheduling meetings
• Hold all site personnel responsible and ensure project site teams are effectively utilizing company project delivery tools standardized across all sites:
  • Review of project schedules (P6 Primavera, Excel templates for look-aheads, reviewing accuracy and detail of look-ahead schedules and progress against established master schedule, and training and expertise in pull planning sessions).
  • Productivity tracking – measuring planned progress against actual.
  • LEED activities and requirements.
  • Mechanical and electrical subject matter experts (Bird Engineering Design Services team).
  • Digital Construction program.
  • Winter construction plans.
  • Labour and equipment forecasting.
  • LEAN construction activities.
  • Risk management plans.
  • Commissioning and close-out.
• Develop, implement, and support self-perform concrete initiatives including detailed productivity tracking through company delivery tools.
• Provide cost-effective solutions to construction issues and coordinate with Project Manager and Superintendent.
• Work with project teams to review the schedule monthly and assist teams if required to develop schedule recovery plans.
• Support the development of commissioning and turnover plans.
• Review timeline of warranty work and assign necessary resources to ensure timely completion.
• Support demobilization of project sites and review close out of all site accounts.
• Ensure sites are set up, maintained, and organized to a consistent standard including maximizing company branding.

Health, Safety, and Environmental

• Assist project teams in the development of site-specific safety plans.
• Lead the site teams in the Bird Safety Program while coordinating with the District HSE Manager, holding accountability to compliance including, but not limited to, inspections and leadership conversation KPI’s for site teams, regular toolbox meetings, participation in Good Catch program and Safety Belt nominations, FLHA’s, communication and signage, site safety plans, and emergency drills.
• Understand the corporate critical incident response plan and lead if required.

Financial Accountabilities

• Implement cost control processes to monitor costs and improve efficiencies across multiple projects. This may involve optimizing workflows, reducing waste, implementing lean construction principles, and identifying opportunities for value engineering.
• Profitability Analysis: Participate in quarterly Bird Profit & Loss process.

Client Focus

• Manage, grow, and foster key relationships including, but not limited to, Indigenous, Trade Partners, Clients, and Community

Edmonton, AB