Field Construction Lead - Pharma/Biotech Projects

MMR Consulting; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 138,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

MMR Consulting is an engineering and consulting firm specializing in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and highly regulated industries. This role leads field construction for equipment installation on an industrial capital project, based at the client’s facilities in Kankakee, IL.

The successful candidate will oversee contractors from mobilization through mechanical completion, tie-ins, and turnover to commissioning, with a hands-on leadership style and a strong safety mindset.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of industrial construction management experience.
• Experience on utility, water treatment, pharmaceutical, food, or manufacturing capital projects.
• Strong knowledge of contractor management, construction safety, scheduling, and field execution practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all field construction activities for equipment installation, ensuring work is executed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with project requirements.
• Coordinate the daily activities of contractors, subcontractors, and vendors to ensure construction activities are properly planned, sequenced, and executed.
• Monitor project schedule performance and proactively identify, communicate, and mitigate risks that could impact critical milestones, turnaround activities, or project completion.
• Ensure strict compliance with site safety requirements, permit systems, lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, and all applicable environmental, health, and safety (EHS) standards.
• Manage construction quality activities, including inspections, verification of installed work, punch list management, and adherence to approved drawings, specifications, and standards.
• Coordinate tie‑in, outage, and shutdown activities with associated teams to minimize process disruption and maintain operational readiness.
• Review and resolve field issues, design clarifications, and constructability concerns in collaboration with engineering, vendors, and project stakeholders.
• Track construction progress and provide regular SDS updates, including schedule performance, safety metrics, manpower utilization, risks, and corrective actions.
• Support commissioning, qualification, and startup activities by ensuring systems are mechanically complete, documentation is compiled, and turnover packages are delivered on schedule.
• Serve as the primary field representative for the project, driving accountability, fostering strong contractor performance, and ensuring safety, on‑time and within‑budget execution of all construction activities.

Job description

MMR Consulting is an engineering and consulting firm specializing in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and highly regulated industries. This role leads field construction for equipment installation on an industrial capital project, based at the client’s facilities in Kankakee, IL.

The successful candidate will oversee contractors from mobilization through mechanical completion, tie-ins, and turnover to commissioning, with a hands-on leadership style and a strong safety mindset.