Construction Manager at Ardmac in Portugal

Job Objective:

The key responsibility of this role is to take full ownership and accountability for all stages of the project, from tendering to successful delivery. This includes managing the end-to-end tendering process, overseeing project planning and execution in alignment with the project programme, and ensuring the achievement of commercial objectives.

The role also entails ensuring the delivery of Safety, Health, Environmental & Quality (SHEQ) targets throughout the project lifecycle. A central aspect of this role is to lead and manage all aspects of people management, including internal teams, subcontractors, general contractors (if applicable), and clients. Additionally, this position involves identifying and developing future opportunities to enhance the company's reputation for both the quality of our work and the way we conduct business.

Key Responsibilities:

• End-to-End Tendering Process: Manage and oversee the entire tendering process for HoReCa projects, including project specification review, bid preparation, and submission. Ensure competitive and comprehensive proposals that align with client needs and company objectives.
• Project Planning & Execution: Lead the development of project plans, ensuring that all construction timelines, resources, and costs are effectively managed. Monitor and track progress, adjusting strategies as needed to stay on course with project objectives and deadlines. Ensure all project phases, from planning through to handover, are executed with efficiency and precision.
• Commercial Management & Budgeting: Achieve project commercial objectives by managing budgets, forecasts, variations, procurement, cost control, cash flow, and profitability. Identify and mitigate commercial risks while capturing opportunities, working closely with clients, suppliers, subcontractors, and internal teams.
• Safety, Health, Environmental & Quality (SHEQ): Cooperate to ensure the strict adherence to all SHEQ regulations and best practices throughout the project lifecycle. Ensure that all health, safety, environmental, and quality standards are met, with regular monitoring and reporting to ensure compliance.
• Leadership and People Management: Lead and inspire internal project teams, subcontractors, and external stakeholders, ensuring that all parties are aligned with project goals. Manage workforce resource allocation, ensuring the correct mix of skills, experience, and personnel for each project. Ensure team members receive the appropriate training and support to meet project requirements.
• Client & Stakeholder Management: Act as the primary point of contact for clients, fostering long-term relationships and ensuring customer satisfaction. Ensure that all client requirements and expectations are met throughout the project lifecycle, from initial consultation through to project handover.
• Business Development & Reputation Management: Actively contribute to business development by identifying new opportunities and strengthening the company’s reputation in the market. Leverage project success to build a portfolio of future opportunities, ensuring the company’s leadership in construction solutions.
• Technical Oversight and Panel Installation: Oversee the correct installation and application of components, ensuring compliance with technical specifications, client requirements, and regulatory standards. Provide technical leadership and resolve complex construction challenges related to panel installation integrity.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in construction project management or operations leadership, preferably in agroindustrial facilities, cold storage, food-processing plants, logistics centres, or other temperature-controlled
• Demonstrable experience managing the installation of insulated sandwich panels, cold-room systems, doors, ceilings, partitions, and associated accessories.
• Proven track record of managing projects from tendering to completion while meeting safety, quality, cost, programme, and client-satisfaction objectives.
• Sound knowledge of insulated construction systems and the technical requirements associated with thermal performance, airtightness, hygiene, fire safety, vapour control, and building-envelope continuity.
• Strong capability in budgeting, forecasting, cost control, procurement, variation management, and commercial negotiations.
• Ability to assess and manage technical, commercial, programme, and supply-chain risks and opportunities to optimise project
• Strong leadership qualities with the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams, subcontractors, and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills and a proven ability to collaborate with clients, designers, consultants, general contractors, refrigeration specialists, internal teams, and third-party contractors.
• A proactive, practical approach to problem-solving and conflict resolution, ensuring safe and smooth project execution.
• A relevant degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or an equivalent technical qualification. Knowledge of food-industry, cold-chain, and applicable construction standards is valued.

Profile:

• Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
• Excellent attention to detail, installation quality, thermal continuity, hygiene, and finishes, ensuring every project meets the required
• Results-driven, commercially aware, and focused on achieving operational, programme, quality, and profitability
• Innovative and improvement-oriented, with a focus on efficient construction methods, sustainable insulated solutions, and process optimisation.