CONTRACTS MANAGER
CHESHIRE
SALARY CIRA £90k - 120K DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE PLUS EXCELLENT BENEFITS PACKAGE
Our client is a UK-based civil engineering contractor. They now require a highly experienced and hands‑on Contracts Manager to take full operational control of live groundworks and civil engineering projects.
This is not a desk‑based or strategy role.
This is a delivery‑driven, site‑based position responsible for:
* Controlling programme.
* Managing labour, plant and materials.
* Driving daily performance.
* Protecting commercial position.
* Ensuring milestones are achieved.
The successful candidate will spend the majority of their time on site ensuring projects are properly resourced, programmed, and delivered safely and profitably.
PRIMARY ROLE - Operational Delivery
This role is primarily site‑based and delivery‑focused.
1. Site Control & Presence
o Be on site – i.e. Monday check everyone is in and set for the week.
o Ensure all labour has reported.
o Identify and resolve resource gaps immediately.
o Maintain visible leadership presence across sites.
o Ensure Site Managers are fully in control of their Foremen.
o Hold Site Managers accountable for daily performance.
2. Programme Management & Planning
o Take full ownership of the project programme.
o Maintain and update a rolling 6‑week look‑ahead programme.
o Ensure the programme is realistic, resourced and achievable.
o Plan and allocate labour, plant and materials in line with programme.
o Monitor contract milestones and ensure they are achieved.
o Identify delays early and implement recovery plans.
o Drive a target‑led mindset across site teams.
3. Resource Control
o Control all site resources including:
o Direct labour
o Subcontract labour
o Plant
o Materials
o Review labour allocation sheets daily.
o Ensure plant utilisation is efficient and justified.
o Forecast material requirements in advance.
o Avoid downtime through proactive planning.
4. Commercial Control (Hands‑On)
o Work closely with the QS daily.
o Review allocation sheets, works completed, variations, dayworks.
o Ensure variations are identified immediately.
o Issue contract notices to the Client (under NEC/JCT), informing PL Infrastructure Commercial Team.
o Follow up on all notices and ensure they are tracked.
o Protect margin through early identification of risk.
5. Reporting & Forecasting
o Maintain accurate cost and value forecasting.
o Support CVR preparation.
o Provide weekly project performance data.
o Draft and issue weekly project reports to Directors.
Report on: programme status, commercial position, risks, resource requirements, HSQE matters.
6. HSQE & Systems Champion
o Ensure safe systems of work are implemented.
o Work closely with HSQE support.
o Ensure RAMS are in place and followed.
o Maintain high quality standards.
o Enforce company systems on site.
o Drive discipline in paperwork and compliance.
SECONDARY ROLE - Leadership & Business Support
1. Meetings
o Chair weekly internal project meetings.
o Attend client progress meetings.
o Report to Directors weekly.
o Support commercial review meetings.
2. Pre‑Construction Support
o Provide buildability input.
o Review programmes at tender stage.
o Support Estimating where required.
3. Recruitment & Development
o Assist with recruiting operational staff.
o Mentor Site Managers.
o Develop stronger control at Foreman level.
Reporting Structure & Support
* Support from Directors, Commercial Lead, Accounts Team, HSQE Support, Logistics manager.
* Supporting: Quantity Surveyors, Accounts (information & allocation data), Health & Safety, Site Managers.
* The Contracts Manager controls the Site Managers.
* Site Managers control the Foremen.
* Clear chain of command must be maintained.
Experience & Qualifications Required
* Minimum 15 years Groundworks & Civil Engineering experience.
* Engineering background.
* Experience working in £10m‑£15m turnover businesses.
* Strong NEC & JCT knowledge.
* Proven ability managing multiple packages cradle to grave.
* Strong programme management skills.
* Highly organised and structured.
* Stable employment history.
* Proficient in MS Project & Microsoft Office.
* SharePoint experience desirable.
Key Behaviours Required
* Detail‑oriented.
* Structured and organised.
* Commercially aware.
* Confident issuing contract notices.
* Proactive problem solver.
* Strong presence on site.
* Not afraid to challenge.
* Delivery‑driven.
Should this excellent Contracts Manager opportunity be of interest to you, please forward your CV to Anna Maguire.
Whilst we will endeavour to contact you following your response, occasionally due to the high volume of applications this cannot always be possible and we are only able to contact shortlisted candidates. We will keep your details on file and may contact you with future opportunities.
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