Construction Materials Department Manager

ECS Ltd•Detroit, MI

10d

About The Position

ECS Limited is seeking an experienced leader to manage its construction materials testing (CMT) group in the Detroit office. The CMT Department Manager leads the department’s overall 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, and strategic objectives, while demonstrating ECS Core Values. The manager oversees department leadership and staffing, technical and project execution, financial and operational performance, client relationships and business development, and safety and compliance. The position works with other department and office leaders to align resources, technical practices, and departmental objectives with broader office, subsidiary, and company strategies. ECS is an employee-owned engineering consulting company founded in 1988. It provides geotechnical, construction materials, environmental, and building science and infrastructure consulting services, with more than 3,200 employees in 125 offices and testing facilities across the country.

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 education requirements are also met.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Directly lead engineers, project managers, technicians, and support staff.
Own performance management, coaching, career development, and succession planning.
Build a high-performing, accountable, collaborative team culture; lead recruiting, hiring, and retention; and develop future leaders.
Build 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 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; align with Associate Principals or Principals on final technical reviews when required.
Maintain awareness of industry standards, codes, and best practices, and support technical practices, training programs, and initiatives.
Coordinate with leadership to align technical practices and resource utilization.
Own department P&L performance, including revenue, margin, utilization, and backlog; develop and manage departmental 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 the department’s 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.