Drug Product Construction Manager

KBR•Richmond, VA

About The Position

KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS) provides solutions across the asset life cycle, including licensed process technologies, advisory services, technical expertise, energy transition solutions, design capabilities, and smart solutions for planned and operating assets. The Drug Product Construction Manager oversees construction activities associated with formulation, fill-finish, lyophilization, packaging interfaces, and supporting aseptic manufacturing facilities. Reporting to the Construction Lead, this role ensures construction execution aligns with GMP, contamination control, cleanroom, and aseptic processing requirements so facilities are prepared for commissioning, qualification, validation, and commercial manufacturing startup. The manager serves as the owner's representative on site and leads construction from mobilization through startup and handover. The role coordinates construction, engineering, procurement, commissioning, qualification and validation (CQV), and operations teams; manages EPCM contractors and subcontractors; and oversees safety, schedule, cost, quality, risk, and contractual performance. The manager also supports the transition to commissioning and startup, operational readiness, training, and handover to operations and asset management teams.

Requirements

Education in Construction Management or a related technical discipline.
Minimum 20 years of progressively responsible construction management experience.
Minimum 10 years in leadership roles on large industrial, petrochemical, energy, pharmaceutical, mining, manufacturing, or infrastructure projects.
Demonstrated experience managing projects valued at $500 million or greater.
Experience serving as an owner's representative on major EPC or EPCM projects.
Proven record of delivering complex projects safely and successfully.
Advanced knowledge of construction execution methods and contractor management.
Strong understanding of engineering, procurement, commissioning, and startup processes.
Expertise in project controls, scheduling, cost management, and risk management.
Knowledge of contract administration and claims management.
Familiarity with Primavera P6, project controls systems, and construction management software.

Responsibilities

Serve as the owner's representative on site and deliver the project safely, on schedule, within budget, and to quality standards.
Lead site construction activities from mobilization through startup and handover.
Manage EPCM contractors, subcontractors, and construction management teams.
Coordinate construction, engineering, procurement, CQV, and operations teams.
Monitor progress, identify risks, implement recovery plans, and report project status and recommendations.
Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, regulatory standards, owner expectations, and HSE standards.
Monitor contractor performance against safety, schedule, cost, and quality metrics; conduct progress reviews and executive status meetings.
Resolve contractor performance issues and facilitate recovery plans.
Champion a Zero Incident safety culture; participate in safety audits, field inspections, incident investigations, corrective action programs, and continuous improvement.
Validate construction schedules and execution plans; monitor milestones and critical path activities; manage schedule risks and coordinate work sequencing and site logistics.
Oversee construction budgets and field change management; review contractor progress reports and earned value performance; manage change orders and claims.
Ensure construction complies with design specifications, project standards, and contractual requirements; participate in quality surveillance and inspections.
Monitor non-conformance reporting and corrective actions, and verify turnover and completion packages meet commissioning requirements.
Identify and manage construction risks and opportunities, develop mitigation plans, and lead issue resolution.
Coordinate the transition from construction to commissioning and startup, ensure system completions follow turnover plans, support operational readiness and training, and facilitate handover to operations and asset management.