Construction Manager

Sterling Engineering; Summit (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling Engineering is seeking an experienced Construction Manager to support capital and infrastructure projects within a live manufacturing environment. This long-term contract role emphasizes a strong onsite and field-based presence, coordinating contractors, monitoring progress, safety, and schedule, and partnering with plant operations, engineering, maintenance and EHS.

The ideal candidate will manage multiple small to mid-sized projects, ranging from approximately $250K to $1M, while

Qualifications

• Minimum experience in industrial construction or manufacturing settings.
• Proven ability to manage multiple small- to mid-sized capital projects.
• Strong knowledge of safety programs and field execution.
• Effective communication with Operations, Engineering and EHS teams.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate contractors and subcontractors within an active manufacturing facility.
• Monitor field progress, safety, quality, and schedule performance.
• Support project scoping through completion on $250K–$1M projects.
• Maintain daily field presence and coordinate with plant stakeholders.
• Ensure adherence to site safety requirements and permits.
• Assist with project reporting and documentation.
• Work onsite daily with Operations, Maintenance and Engineering teams.

Skills

Construction management

Contractor coordination

Field safety

Industrial environment

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Construction Manager to support a variety of small to mid-sized capital and infrastructure projects within an active manufacturing environment.

This is a long-term contract opportunity with a strong onsite and field-based presence. The Construction Manager will be responsible for coordinating contractors, monitoring field execution, supporting project development, maintaining strong safety standards, and working closely with plant operations, engineering, maintenance, and EHS teams.

The ideal candidate will be a well-rounded industrial construction professional who is comfortable managing multiple projects simultaneously and working across a variety of disciplines.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate contractors and subcontractors performing construction work within an active manufacturing facility
• Maintain a strong daily field presence and monitor construction progress, quality, safety, and schedule performance
• Support multiple small to mid-sized capital and infrastructure projects, generally ranging from approximately $250K to $1M
• Assist with development and execution of smaller capital projects from initial scoping through completion
• Conduct field walkdowns, identify site conditions and constraints, and help develop clear scopes of work
• Coordinate project activity with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, EHS, and other plant stakeholders
• Support projects involving structural steel, roofing, tanks, piping, utilities, HVAC, electrical upgrades, pumps, heat exchangers, equipment replacement, and other plant infrastructure
• Oversee high-risk field activities including crane lifts, heavy equipment moves, and other construction-related work
• Ensure contractors comply with site safety expectations and applicable procedures
• Support contractor safety requirements including permits, JSA/JHA processes, LOTO, hot work, confined space, and other applicable safety programs
• Monitor contractor performance and address schedule, safety, quality, or execution concerns as they arise
• Provide regular field updates and project-status reporting to Project Managers and plant leadership
• Support project schedules, contractor quotes, purchase orders, change orders, budgets, and other project documentation
• Coordinate construction activities around ongoing plant operations to minimize production disruption
• Support project closeout, punch-list completion, and turnover activities
• Work with engineering teams to ensure constructability and field readiness while engineering retains responsibility for detailed design

Qualifications

• Experience in construction management, project management, or project engineering within an industrial or manufacturing environment
• Strong experience managing contractors and subcontractors onsite
• Experience working in active manufacturing, chemical, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, refinery, heavy industrial, or another process-manufacturing environment preferred
• Experience managing multiple small to mid-sized capital projects simultaneously
• Familiarity with plant infrastructure projects involving mechanical, electrical, piping, structural, civil, utilities, HVAC, tanks, and equipment installations or replacements
• Strong understanding of industrial construction safety and contractor safety expectations
• Experience with project scoping, field walkdowns, scheduling, budgeting, procurement, contractor quotes, and change management
• Ability to work effectively with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, EHS, contractors, and plant leadership
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Comfortable working onsite daily with a significant amount of time spent in the field
• Experience in food manufacturing or another highly regulated process-manufacturing environment is a plus

This position is based onsite at an active manufacturing facility and requires a strong field presence throughout the workday.

The Construction Manager will regularly work in production and construction areas and may be exposed to operating equipment, industrial noise, varying temperatures, elevated work areas, construction activity, and other typical manufacturing-site conditions.

This is a long-term contract opportunity.