Operations Manager Jobs in Independence, IA (NOW HIRING)

Why you should join our team:
Do you want to be an employee-owner? Woodruff Construction is a 100% employee-owned and family-focused commercial construction general contractor with over 70 years of experience. Woodruff provides a dynamic environment where each individual is challenged to be his or her best, and we are continually searching for goal-driven candidates to join our team. We are committed to employing a diverse workforce and encourage those with a wide range of backgrounds to inquire about our job opportunities.

We serve the regions of Ames, Fort Dodge, Iowa City, Waterloo and Spencer, and are driven by our strong Core Values:

• FAMILY Comes First
• SERVICE to Others
• PURPOSE in everything we do
• DEPENDABILITY to do what's right
• ENJOYMENT of our work

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Engineering, Construction Management, Environmental Engineering or similar
• At least 10 years of relevant experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience involving pre-construction
• DBIA Certification preferred or ability to obtain within first year of employment
• Experience with water and wastewater treatment facilities and ability to interpret related strongly preferred
• Experience with municipal/public infrastructure procurement processes and delivery methods including CMaR and Design-Build preferred
• Knowledge of equipment procurement and coordination for treatment/process systems preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Advanced computer experience with proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel
• Ability to objectively coach employees through complex issues
• Good time management skills
• Must be able to contain confidential information
• Excellent attention to detail
• Work well in an office team environment
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks as well as to accept direction

The Woodruff Difference:
We offer a variety of unique perks for our employee-owners:

•  $500 stay-on bonus after 60 days
•  Career-advancement programs
•  Company-sponsored outings and events

How will you Build Your Future With Us?
Woodruff is seeking a reliable, goal-driven candidate to fill our pre-construction manager position in Waterloo, IA. This position is responsible in developing, improving and leading the pre-construction process for design-build and construction manager at-risk projects, with a primary focus on water and wastewater treatment facilities. This position will serve as the team/company expert as it relates to pre-construction contracting, estimating, constructability and delivery strategies.

Essential duties and responsibilities for the position are as follows:

• Risk Management
• Adhere to, enforce and support company safety program
• Evaluate subcontractors and suppliers to ensure they meet or exceed Woodruff standards for the project
• Document project changes and correspondence through email and mail correspondence through the pre-construction phase
• Anticipate & address issues and understand how work performance & timeliness effects the achievement of Woodruff goals
• Evaluate constructability, operational impacts, sequencing constraints, and shutdown planning associated with active water/wastewater treatment facilities and utility systems
• Identify and mitigate risks related to underground utilities, treatment process systems, environmental regulations, and owner operational continuity

• Financial Management & Results
• Assist Project Manager with the buyout process
• Ensure profit objectives are met by ensuring schedules and budgets are achieved
• Negotiate and estimate favorable and timely change orders that produce results, protect Woodruff's interests and satisfy the owner and architect
• Assist in the development of conceptual and detailed estimates for water/wastewater treatment process systems, underground utilities, concrete structures, pumping systems, and associated infrastructure.
• Understand market conditions, equipment lead times, and procurement strategies specific to municipal water and wastewater construction
• Design Support & Field Involvement
• Facilitate correspondence with the owner and design team
• Assist project manager with scheduling and conducting design meetings (if design-build)
• Assist project manager with scheduling and conducting team meetings to review design status, budget status and overall progression of the project
• Include and involve the field operations manager, safety specialist and/or anticipated superintendent as needed throughout the pre-construction process
• Coordinate with design engineers, equipment vendors, and operations staff regarding treatment processes, phasing plans, shutdowns, and startup requirements
• Participate in constructability reviews for treatment facilities, process piping, electrical/instrumentation systems, and operational sequencing
• Project Leadership
• Manage project through Procore and any other required project management software
• Assist with setting, communicating and tracking project goals
• Support customer relationship building with owners by balancing the needs of Woodruff with the customer expectations around schedule, quality and cost
• Develop a clear and complete understanding of the construction project by reviewing plans, documents and proposed cost information
• Plan ahead to work efficiently by creating a sound completion plan leading the Woodruff project team to establish priorities, schedule activities and timeframes, develop clear and measurable progress benchmarks and assign responsibilities
• Guide the project by keeping the big picture in mind & making sound decisions
• Ensure timely construction project starts consistent with preconstruction plans and owner needs
• Produce clear and complete planning information including timely and detailed owner meeting minutes and look-ahead schedules
• Use Woodruff policies and procedures through use and reference of pre-construction process manuals
• Contribute to swift and smooth project transition from pre-construction to construction phase
• Lead the project team through pre-construction abiding by and following the contract requirements  
• Lead preconstruction efforts for water and wastewater treatment projects including process coordination, phasing, operational continuity, and regulatory considerations
• Develop and maintain a strong understanding of water/wastewater treatment methods, equipment systems, utility coordination, and municipal owner expectations
• Coordinate early procurement strategies for long-lead treatment equipment, process systems, and specialty subcontractors
• Process Development & Improvement
• Ensure Woodruff processes follow current CMaR preconstruction Iowa law
• Development of new and/or improvement of existing pre-construction processes
• Research and learn industry best practices regarding pre-construction processes
• Assist with developing, implementing and utilizing pre-construction services fee estimating process
• Assist BD with development and submission of RFQ's
• Lead the development and submission of RFP's including developing and leading the presentation process
• Develop and improve estimating, scheduling, and preconstruction processes specific to water/wastewater treatment and utility infrastructure projects
• Maintain awareness of industry trends, treatment technologies, delivery methods, and regulatory requirements impacting municipal water/wastewater construction

Benefits:

At Woodruff, we attribute our success to the investment and retention of our quality employees. Woodruff values its employees and offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Competitive pay with weekly direct deposit
• Work/Life balance - paid time off, holidays, volunteer time off, parental leave, and bereavement
• 100% Employee Owned, you can become an employee-owner after only one year of service!
• Competitive benefits - including medical, dental and vision, flexible spending account, and disability
• Company-paid life insurance
• 401K retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement and continuing education
• Personalized career path
• Employee assistance program

Job Type: Full-time