Preconstruction Manager (Cold Storage Division)

Job Title:                               Preconstruction Manager (Cold Storage Division)

Office Location: Chicago (Can be based within one of 22 Alston Construction Offices) 

Job Summary:  Responsible for assisting management in the general business operations of the company by the daily management, supervision, coordination, and successful completion of the preconstruction phase of projects.  In addition, the Preconstruction Manager will assist with business development.  The overall goal of the Preconstruction Manager is to provide a thorough, accurate, and competitive proposal that will result in the award of a profitable project.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Preconstruction Manager will be primarily involved with performing the following duties and responsibilities.    

·       Use discretion and independent judgment and professional skills to perform daily duties and to resolve issues in order to minimize risk to the company.

Estimating:

·       Provide thorough, accurate and competitive cost estimates through all phases of design, from concept to construction and permit documents.

·       Identify value-engineered alternatives relating to construction methods, materials, schedule, and design.

·       Determine proposal specifications and the scope of work by reviewing drawings, attending and/or managing bid and preconstruction meetings, etc.

·       Analyze and document cost analysis from historical projects, purchase orders, contracts, and cost reports for future use in incorporating into estimates.

·       Provide design assistance and cost data regarding project feasibility to the client, design professionals, and project team.

·       Prepare bid packages and provide leadership and coordination on bid solicitation and RFP’s.

·       Develop scopes of work for sub-trades prior to and during bid solicitation.

·       Perform takeoffs of multiple trades to minimize Alston Construction’s cost risks.

·       Analyze proposals from subcontractors for cost, scope and completeness to determine award of work.

·       Identify and qualify new subcontractors to ensure an adequate number of qualified and financially sound subcontractors are available and to expand bid solicitation coverage

·       Negotiate price with clients and with qualified subcontractors.

·       Prepare preliminary project schedules during the preconstruction phase and assist the Superintendent with the contracted schedule prior to construction.

·       Organize and lead the transition of the project cost estimate to the Project Manager.

·       Assist the Project Manager with pricing and negotiating owner and subcontractor change orders.

·       Maintain detailed records of working documents as a back-up for estimates figures, including assumptions made for conceptual designs.

·       Update and maintain subcontractor and design consultant database.

Sales:

·       Develop and maintain strong working relationships with prospective and current clients, architects, engineers, and subcontractors.

·       Develop a comprehensive understanding of the Company’s services to assist in identifying applicable potential new clients and projects.

·       Identify new work opportunities and advise VP/GM and/or SVP/RM of potential projects with existing and new clients and lead or participate in the pursuit of project leads.

·       Conduct or participate in presentations to clients.

·       Maintain a detailed pipeline of clients and projects in Prophet, including status of opportunities and analysis/reasons for wins/losses.

Other:

·       Provide assistance and evaluations to Risk Management and the VP/GM and/or SVP/RM regarding potential contract, cost, construction feasibility, and insurance risks.

·       Review subcontracts, prior to issuance to the subcontractor, for compliance with the documents and estimate.

·       Manage design team through the development of permit documents.

·       Make recommendations for ways to improve business operations (including processes, procedures and best operating practices), looking for ways to increase client satisfaction, improve efficiency and improve profitability.

This position will also require performance of the following duties:

·       Participate in applicable corporate meetings and forums.

·       Other duties as assigned.

Safety:

·       Comply with all safety policies, report suspected safety concerns, make recommendations for enhancements to the safety program, and visibly support and uphold the company’s strong safety culture. 

·       Remain current in all company required safety training and certifications.

·       Acknowledge and celebrate safe behaviors and actions of others. 

Personal:

·       Understand and work within the accepted ethical standards of the company.

·       Proactively support and encourage diversity on projects and team.  Visibly support and promote fair and equal treatment and opportunity for all.

·       Remain current in all company required training and certifications.

·       Stay abreast of changes in the industry, best practices, and other industry information (including changes/trends in methods of construction and materials, construction costs, skilled construction labor and material availability and/or shortages, wage rates, fringes, working rules, and construction software and technology).

·       Continuously find ways to take on challenges, increase skills and capacity, and improve knowledge and performance.

Education, Experience, and Licensing/Certifications:

·       Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field.  

·       Minimum of 8 years of experience successfully estimating (conceptual and hard bid) construction projects for a general contractor within a Cold Storage background

·       An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

·       Design-build experience on relevant project types on Cold Storage

·       Experience in value-engineering.

·       Valid State-issued driver’s license and vehicle insurance which meets Alston Construction liability coverage requirements and satisfactory driving record.

·       OSHA 10-hour Certification.

·       First Aid/CPR Certification.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

·       Ability to estimate costs associated with technical tasks and thorough knowledge of estimating techniques, cost control systems and accounts.

·       Thorough understanding of multiple project delivery types, including Design-Build, CM at Risk, CM not at Risk, General Contractor (hard bid and negotiated), etc.

·       Thorough understanding of multiple contract delivery methods, including lump sum, guaranteed maximum price (GMP), cost-plus, etc.

·       Strong industry contact relationships and the ability to identify and secure profitable new business.

·       Strong mathematical and analytical skills.

·       Ability to maximize profitability and successfully balance the needs and expectations of the client while maintaining the Firm’s standards and reputation and mitigating risks.

·       Ability to exercise initiative and to work well with discretion and sound independent judgment with minimal supervision, as well as in a team environment.

·       Thorough understanding of job task sequencing/critical timeline scheduling

·       Ability to read and understand drawings, specifications, maps, surveys, mechanical and electrical sheets, project schedules, cost reports, and other construction documents; understanding of contract provisions which address scope of work and design criteria.

·       Understanding of all local, state, federal and company safety and environmental regulations, codes, and requirements related to the construction industry; ability to impart knowledge to others.

·       Good knowledge of all sub trades and their relationship and impact on each other.

·       Ability to exercise initiative and sound independent judgment, define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and make timely decisions.

·       Creative problem-solver; willing to try several approaches when initial solution fails.

·       Excellent skills in organization, time management, planning, and prioritization.

·       Proactive and readily adaptable to changing conditions or demands and ability to work well under pressure and with tight deadlines.

·       Effective communication skills (written and verbal) and presentation skills.

·       Professional demeanor and effective interpersonal skills; ability to successfully interface with and to maintain good working relationships with clients, co-workers, managers, subcontractors, vendors, and others.

·       Ability to effectively handle stress and stressful situations.

·       Good negotiation skills.

·       Proficiency in computers, Phoenix, Word, Excel and Outlook, CMiC, Estimating Takeoff Software (eg. On Screen Takeoff, Bluebeam, etc.), and Cost Estimating Software (e.g. DESTINI Estimator). 

Physical Requirements:

·       Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, and reach.

·       Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, climb or crawl.

·       Occasionally lift 10 lbs.

·       Extensive computer use and reading from documents and computer.  Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

·       Repetitive use of keyboard and mouse, extensive reading from documents and computer.

·       Willingness and ability to work extended hours and flexible schedules, including evenings and weekends.

·       Willingness and ability to travel.

Work Environment

·       The majority of the Preconstruction Manager’s duties and responsibilities take place in the office; however, office and non-manual work in the field is also required.

·       Will be exposed to outside weather elements while in the field.

·       May be exposed to loud noises, fumes, and/or airborne particles while in the field.

·       Dress, including proper PPE, in the field is conducive to a building construction environment.