Construction Materials Department Manager

ECS Ltd•Waukesha, WI

10d

About The Position

ECS Limited is seeking an experienced leader to manage the construction materials testing (CMT) group in its Waukesha 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 manager leads project managers, engineers, and technical staff in alignment with company standards, safety expectations, strategic objectives, and ECS Core Values. The role oversees people management, technical and project execution, department finances and operations, client relationships, business development, safety, compliance, and coordination with other departments and office leaders. The position also supports technical practices, training, quality assurance, continuous improvement, and alignment of departmental objectives with broader 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.
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.
For the military qualification pathway, ranks E-6, E-7, O-2, or O-3 qualify only if the education requirements are also met.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Directly lead engineers, Project Managers, technicians, and support staff.
Manage performance, coaching, career development, succession planning, recruiting, hiring, and retention.
Build a high-performing, accountable, collaborative team and develop future leaders.
Maintain a department structure aligned with workload, growth objectives, and service offerings.
Communicate branch, subsidiary, and corporate initiatives to staff and support 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 and Principals on final technical reviews where required.
Maintain awareness of industry standards, codes, and best practices; support development and improvement of technical practices, training programs, and initiatives.
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, 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 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.