Construction Materials Department Manager

ECS Ltd•Millcreek Township, PA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

ECS Limited is seeking an experienced leader to manage its construction materials testing group in the Erie office. The Construction Materials Department Manager oversees Construction Materials Testing (CMT) operations, field and laboratory technicians, project deliverables, quality control, and department growth. The role leads engineers, Project Managers, technicians, and support staff; oversees technical and project execution; manages department financial and operational performance; develops client relationships and business; and promotes safety, compliance, and continuous improvement. The manager also aligns departmental objectives and resources with office, subsidiary, and company strategies.

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.
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.
A valid driver's license is required if driving for or on behalf of any ECS subsidiary.
The stated qualifying U.S. military ranks are E-6, E-7, O-2, and O-3, provided the education requirements are also met.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Lead engineers, Project Managers, technicians, and support staff, including performance management, coaching, career development, succession planning, recruiting, hiring, and retention.
Build an accountable, collaborative team culture and develop future leaders.
Maintain a department structure aligned with workload, growth objectives, and service offerings; communicate company initiatives and support their local implementation.
Ensure quality, consistency, and technical excellence across department projects.
Oversee project execution through delegation to Project Managers and technical leaders, and provide escalation support for complex or high-risk projects.
Ensure projects meet safety, quality, schedule, and budget standards; coordinate final technical reviews with Associate Principals or Principals when required.
Maintain awareness of industry standards, codes, and best practices, and support improvements to technical practices and training programs.
Coordinate technical practices and resource utilization with leadership.
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, contract execution, staffing levels, and workload planning.
Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and risk controls.
Lead client relationship management and department growth strategy; develop new business 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.