Construction Materials Department Manager

ECS Ltd•Fort Wayne, IN

13d•Onsite

About The Position

ECS Limited is seeking an experienced leader to manage its construction materials testing (CMT) group in the Fort Wayne office. The CMT Department Manager leads the department’s operations, technical execution, and financial performance, with accountability for project delivery, staff development, client satisfaction, and business growth. The role leads project managers, engineers, and technical staff in alignment with company standards, safety expectations, strategic objectives, and ECS Core Values. The manager leads and develops the department’s staff and structure; oversees technical quality, project execution, and risk; manages financial performance and operations; and advances client relationships and business development. The role promotes safety, regulatory and company compliance, quality assurance, continuous improvement, collaboration, and alignment 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.
For the stated military-rank qualification, candidates must also meet the education requirements: US Military ranks E-6, E-7, O-2, or O-3.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Directly lead engineers, Project Managers, technicians, and support staff.
Manage performance, coaching, career development, succession planning, recruiting, hiring, and retention.
Build an accountable, collaborative, high-performing team; develop future leaders and maintain a department structure suited to workload, growth, 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 project execution through Project Managers and technical leaders, and provide escalation support for complex or high-risk projects.
Ensure projects meet safety, quality, schedule, and budget standards; align with Associate Principals/Principals on final technical reviews where required.
Maintain awareness of industry standards, codes, and best practices; support technical practices, training programs, and initiatives.
Coordinate technical practices and resource utilization with leadership.
Manage department P&L performance, including revenue, margin, utilization, and backlog; develop and manage budgets and forecasts; monitor KPIs and drive improvement.
Oversee invoicing, collections, and contract execution; manage staffing 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 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 regulatory and company-procedure compliance.
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.