Assistant Construction Manager

Spencer Ogden; Kankakee (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Spencer Ogden is seeking a Lead Assistant Construction Manager to support a large-scale GMP pharmaceutical project in Kankakee, IL. You will work with the Construction Manager, subcontractors, and field teams to keep activities moving safely, efficiently and on schedule.

The ideal candidate has 3–5+ years in construction, experience in biopharma or complex industrial builds, and strong skills in documentation and coordination.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of construction experience.
• Experience in biopharma or complex industrial construction preferred.
• Strong understanding of drawings, specifications, and project documentation.
• Experience coordinating subcontractors and field construction activities.
• OSHA 30 preferred, GMP familiarity a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support the Construction Manager with daily field operations and subcontractor coordination.
• Coordinate scheduling, logistics, manpower, materials, and other resources to maintain milestones.
• Manage and track project documentation including RFIs, submittals, meeting minutes, progress reports, and records.
• Monitor construction activities and support QA/QC to ensure drawings and specs are followed.
• Participate in site safety efforts, toolbox talks, safety audits, and enforce safety expectations.
• Coordinate with procurement and field teams to ensure materials and resources availability.
• Facilitate communication between subcontractors, field teams, and project management.
• Identify schedule, quality, or coordination issues and develop solutions with the team.

Skills

Project coordination

Field operations

Documentation management

Safety compliance

Stakeholder communication

Procore/Bluebeam/MS Project

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or Civil Engineering

Tools

Procore

Bluebeam

MS Project

Job description

About the Opportunity

We’re looking for a Lead Assistant Construction Manager to support a large-scale, multi-building GMP pharmaceutical project in Kankakee, IL.

This role will work closely with the Construction Manager, subcontractors, project teams, and field personnel to help coordinate daily construction activities and keep the project moving safely, efficiently, and on schedule.

The ideal candidate will have a strong construction background and experience working in biopharma, life sciences, cleanroom, high-containment, or other complex construction environments.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Support the Construction Manager with daily field operations and subcontractor coordination.
• Coordinate scheduling, logistics, manpower, materials, and other resources to help maintain project milestones.
• Manage and track project documentation including RFIs, submittals, meeting minutes, progress reports, and project records.
• Monitor construction activities and support QA/QC efforts to ensure work follows drawings, specifications, and project requirements.
• Participate in site safety efforts, including toolbox talks, safety audits, and enforcement of project safety expectations.
• Coordinate with procurement and field teams to ensure materials and resources are available when needed.
• Help facilitate communication between subcontractors, field teams, and project management.
• Identify potential schedule, quality, or coordination issues and work with the team to develop solutions.

What We’re Looking For

• 3–5+ years of construction experience
• Experience in biopharma, pharmaceutical, life sciences, cleanroom, high-containment, or complex industrial construction preferred
• Strong understanding of construction drawings, specifications, and project documentation
• Experience coordinating subcontractors and field construction activities
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Experience with Procore, Bluebeam, or MS Project is a plus
• OSHA 30 preferred
• Familiarity with GMP, HVAC, process piping, or electrical distribution is a plus
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field preferred, or equivalent construction experience

If you have a construction background and are interested in working on a large-scale pharmaceutical project, we’d love to hear from you.