LEAD CARPENTER

McLennan Contracting, Inc.; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 39,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle

Health benefit

IRA match

Paid time off

Dog-friendly office

Tools provided

Job summary

McLennan Contracting, Inc. is seeking a Lead Carpenter to own the jobsite, lead carpentry crews, and manage client relations on residential remodeling projects. This role emphasizes proactive planning, clear communication, and maintaining schedule and budget while delivering high-quality craftsmanship.

Work is primarily local with 40–45 hours per week, standard 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. shifts, and opportunities for growth within a company that values its people and a strong culture.

Qualifications

• 5+ years hands-on construction/remodeling experience.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to read blueprints and specifications.
• Excellent communication with homeowners and trades.
• Physically capable of demanding work (lifting 100 lbs).

Responsibilities

• Own the Jobsite: execute carpentry to McLennan's quality standards and maintain a 2-week lookahead.
• Lead the Crew: coordinate carpenters and ensure scope meets standards.
• Serve the Client: act as primary homeowner contact and represent company values.
• Communicate Up: flag scope changes and document needs and risks promptly.

Skills

Carpentry leadership

Advanced remodel skills

Blueprint reading

Team leadership

Safety compliance

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Valid driver’s license

Tools

Jobtread

Buildertrend

CoConstruct

Job description

Job Description

Are You the One Who Owns the Site?

Not every carpenter wants to run the jobsite. But some do, and they're frustrated working somewhere that doesn't give them the authority, the systems, or the team to actually do it.

If you're the person who shows up already thinking two weeks ahead, who can't leave a jobsite without knowing exactly what happens tomorrow, and who holds yourself to a standard most people around you don't — this role was built for you.

At McLennan, the Lead Carpenter doesn't just build. They lead. They plan. They communicate. They protect the schedule, the budget, and the client relationship every single day. It's a real leadership role in the field — with the pay, the benefits, and the company culture to back it up.

Work Hours & Location

This is a full‑time position averaging approximately 40-45 hours/week. Work hours are primarily between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Work is to be performed both at our office/warehouse, located at 780 Eden Rd., Lancaster, PA, and on location at job sites (typically within 30 minutes of our Lancaster office).

Why McLennan?

Founded in 2003, McLennan Contracting is an award‑winning Design‑Build remodeling company serving Lancaster County homeowners. We do high‑quality residential remodeling — kitchens, bathrooms, whole‑home renovations — and we do it with a team that genuinely cares about the work and about each other.

We're a small company, which means your contribution matters and you're not invisible. We're also a growing company with real systems, a strong culture, and leadership that invests in its people.

We don't hire bodies. We hire people we want to build something with.

What Makes This Role Different

Most carpentry jobs offer a wage and a truck if you're lucky. This one is different:

You'll have real ownership.

You're not executing a task list someone hands you — you're running the site. That means authority, accountability, and the satisfaction of delivering a finished project you're proud of.

You'll have steady, local work.

All projects are within approximately 30 minutes of our Lancaster office. No long hauls, no weeks away from home.

You'll be part of a team that takes culture seriously.

We use DISC assessments, quarterly reviews, weekly 1-on-1s with your Project Manager, and a genuine commitment to your growth — not just your output.

You'll be compensated like the professional you are.

See Compensation & Benefits below.

What You'll Do

Own the Jobsite

• Execute expert-level carpentry and hold the work to McLennan's quality standard
• Maintain a 2-week lookahead for your project — always knowing what's coming and ensuring the site is ready for it
• Hit scheduled milestones; flag any risk to your Project Manager before it's missed — not after
• Maintain a daily log in Jobtread for every day on site

Lead the Crew

• Direct and coordinate carpenters working on your site
• Meet trades at phase starts; ensure they understand the scope and that their work meets standards
• Maintain jobsite cleanliness, safety, and professionalism at all times

Serve the Client

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the homeowner during active construction
• Represent McLennan's values in every interaction — professional, warm, and trustworthy

Communicate Up

• Flag scope changes to your Project Manager immediately — never absorb scope without authorization
• Surface material needs, blockers, and schedule risks before they cause delaysInspect incoming deliveries and flag discrepancies on the spot

Who You Are

You Might Be a Great Fit If You

• Take ownership of problems before anyone asks you to
• Are uncomfortable leaving a day without a plan for the next one
• Would rather flag a problem early than wait and hope it resolves itself
• Hold yourself to a higher standard than the people around you — and it shows in your work
• Can manage the details of a complex project without losing sight of the schedule and budget
• Communicate clearly and professionally with homeowners, trades, and your team
• Want to grow inside a company that will invest in your development

This role requires initiative, proactive planning, and genuine ownership — every day.

Requirements

• Technical Skills
  • Advanced experience in custom residential remodeling
  • Proficiency in framing, trim, hardware installation, finish carpentry, hand and power tools
  • Ability to read and execute from blueprints and specifications
  • Understanding of related trades: plumbing, electrical, HVAC
  • Familiarity with building codes, safety regulations, and quality standards
  • Ability to perform physically demanding work consistently, including lifting 100 lbs.
• Education & Experience
  • Minimum 5 years of hands‑on construction experience (remodeling strongly preferred)
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Valid driver’s license
  • Comfortable using a smartphone for communication and apps
• Personal Characteristics
  • Humble: Coachable, honest, a team player who can admit fault and move forward
  • Hungry: Self‑motivated, work ethic that strives for excellence, personally invested in team success
  • People‑Smart: Emotionally intelligent, adapts communication style, genuinely considers how actions affect others
  • Self‑Aware: Knows their strengths and growth areas, manages energy and balance intentionally
• Not Required (But Nice to Have)
  • Experience with Jobtread, Buildertrend, or CoConstruct
  • Experience with change order estimating
  • Comfort with Apple products (iPhone, iPad, MacBook)

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive hourly wage commensurate with experience — plus consistent overtime opportunity
• Performance bonus paid annually, based on team results and company profitability
• Company vehicle — insured, maintained, gas covered for business use; personal use permitted per policy
• Health benefit — monthly contribution toward your health coverage
• Simple IRA with company match
• 30+ days of paid time off — vacation, personal, holidays, and paid Christmas week
• Tools provided — power tools and phone supplied for professional use
• All local work — no overnight travel; all projects within ~30 minutes of our Lancaster office

Full compensation details are provided during the interview process.

We're Dog-Friendly!

Our office is dog-friendly and frequently enjoys visits from our canine “mascots.”