Construction Materials Department Manager

ECS Ltd • Columbus, OH

9d • Onsite

About The Position

ECS Limited is seeking an experienced leader to manage its construction materials testing group in the Columbus office. The Construction Materials Department Manager oversees Construction Materials Testing (CMT) operations, field and laboratory technicians, project deliverables, quality control, and contributes to business growth. The role combines team leadership, technical and project oversight, financial and operational management, client development, safety and compliance, and coordination with office and company leadership.

ECS Group of Companies is an employee-owned engineering consulting firm founded in 1988. It provides geotechnical, construction materials, environmental, and building science and infrastructure consulting services, with more than 3,200 employees across 125 offices and testing facilities.

Requirements

• At least 6 years of related experience.
• Bachelor's and/or Master's of Science in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering and Management, Materials Science Engineering, or Geology.
• A valid driver's license is required if driving for or on behalf of any ECS subsidiary.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced understanding of engineering consulting operations and project execution.
• Strong financial acumen, including P&L, budgeting, forecasting, and KPIs.
• Ability to manage multiple teams, priorities, and deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability.
• Client-focused mindset with demonstrated business development success.
• Proficiency in construction materials testing principles and regional conditions.
• Ability to build, lead, and scale high-performing teams.
• Military ranks E-6, E-7, O-2, or O-3 qualify if the candidate also meets the stated education requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Professional Geologist (P.G.) license.

Responsibilities

• Direct engineers, Project Managers, technicians, and support staff; manage performance, coaching, career development, succession planning, recruiting, hiring, and retention.
• Build a high-performing, accountable, and collaborative team; develop future leaders and maintain a department structure aligned with workload, growth objectives, and service offerings.
• Communicate branch, subsidiary, and corporate initiatives to staff and support their local implementation.
• Ensure quality, consistency, and technical excellence across department projects; oversee execution through delegation to Project Managers and technical leaders.
• Provide escalation support for complex or high-risk projects and ensure projects meet safety, quality, schedule, and budget standards.
• Coordinate final technical review with Associate Principals or Principals where required; maintain awareness of industry standards, codes, and best practices.
• Support development and improvement of technical practices, training programs, and initiatives; coordinate with leadership on technical practices and resource utilization.
• Own department P&L performance, including revenue, margin, utilization, and backlog; develop and manage budgets and forecasts, monitor KPIs, and drive performance improvement.
• Oversee invoicing, collections, and contract execution; manage staffing levels and workload planning for efficiency and growth; ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and risk controls.
• Lead client relationship management and department growth strategy; develop new business opportunities and expand key client accounts.
• Oversee proposal development, pricing strategy, and scope definition; represent the firm in external meetings, networking, and industry engagement; drive sustained revenue growth and market presence.
• Promote and enforce a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with regulatory standards and company procedures.
• Drive quality assurance and continuous improvement focused on safety, quality, innovation, and operational excellence.
• Collaborate with other departments and office leaders to share resources, expertise, and best practices; align departmental objectives with office, subsidiary, and company strategies.
• Participate in leadership meetings, company initiatives, and committees as requested.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager