Construction Manager

The Only Option; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

The Only Option is seeking an experienced Site Construction Manager in Gauteng to plan, coordinate and control on-site activities in line with the approved project plan and budget.

You will ensure compliance with HSE requirements, client site rules and permits-to-work, and coordinate interfaces across engineering, procurement, logistics, quality and subcontractors to achieve constructability and timely delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level or equivalent qualification in a relevant technical field.
• Minimum 5 years' site management experience in EPC/EPCM, industrial or mining projects.
• Experience with HSE management, risk assessments and permits.
• Knowledge of South African safety acts and construction regulations.
• Experience with inspection/test plans and handover documentation.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and control site construction activities per plan, schedule and budget.
• Ensure compliance with HSE requirements, client site rules, and permits-to-work.
• Coordinate interfaces between engineering, procurement, logistics, quality and subcontractors.
• Manage subcontractor performance, productivity, resource planning, equipment use and site readiness.
• Control site inventory, storage, issuing and traceability per project priorities.
• Maintain site records, daily reports, look-ahead plans and progress input.
• Administer site instructions, changes, and variation inputs with Project Manager.
• Contribute to risk reviews and readiness assessments for effective site execution.

Skills

Site leadership

HSE awareness

Planning & scheduling

Subcontractor management

Quality control

Documentation

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Tertiary qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline

5+ years site management experience (EPC/EPCM/mining/industrial)

OHSA/Construction Regulations knowledge (SA)

ISO quality systems knowledge

Tools

MS Office

Job description

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Plan, coordinate and control site construction activities in accordance with the approved project execution plan, construction methodology, baseline schedule, budget and contractual requirements.
• Ensure compliance with project execution and site procedures, HSE requirements, client site rules, permit-to-work systems, risk assessments, method statements and applicable South African statutory requirements.
• Coordinate site interfaces between engineering, procurement, logistics, quality, subcontractors, client representatives and commissioning teams.
• Manage subcontractor performance, daily productivity, resource planning, equipment utilisation, site access, toolbox talks and work-front readiness.
• Control site inventory, free-issued materials, preservation requirements, receiving, storage, issuing, traceability and reconciliation in line with construction priorities.
• Manage site quality in accordance with project quality plans, inspection and test plans, ISO-aligned quality management requirements, non-conformance control, punch-list management and handover documentation.
• Review and implement approved drawings, specifications, procedures, method statements and installation instructions, and elevate constructability, design or scope-related matters in a timely manner.
• Maintain accurate site records, daily reports, look-ahead plans, site diaries, progress quantities, photographic records, delay notices and construction status inputs for the Project Manager.
• Administer site instructions, field changes, technical queries, variation inputs, claims support and change-control requirements in coordination with the Project Manager, engineering and procurement functions.
• Contribute to subcontractor adjudication, site mobilisation planning, constructability reviews, risk reviews and readiness assessments to support effective site execution.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years' construction site management experience within an EPC, EPCM, industrial, mining, metallurgical, furnace, mechanical installation or heavy engineering project environment.
• Practical knowledge of construction methodologies, installation sequencing, work-front planning, site coordination, subcontractor management and field execution controls.
• Sound understanding of site HSE management, legal compliance, risk assessments, method statements, lifting activities, permits, incident reporting and contractor safety management.
• Certified or demonstrable working knowledge of the South African Occupational Health and Safety Act, Construction Regulations and relevant site safety requirements.
• Experience with ISO-aligned quality systems, inspection and test plans, non-conformance management, punch-list control and mechanical completion handover requirements.
• Computer literacy, including MS Office, with the ability to prepare accurate site reports, registers, schedules, progress updates and construction documentation.

COMPETENCIES

• Strong construction leadership and site coordination capability.
• High level of HSE awareness, compliance discipline and risk-based decision-making.
• Planning, organising and prioritisation skills with a strong schedule and work-front focus.
• Effective subcontractor, client and stakeholder management capability.
• Sound technical judgement and practical problem-solving ability within mechanical and industrial construction environments.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including formal site reporting and timely escalation.
• Commercial awareness relating to claims, variations, change control and cost impact.
• Quality-focused mindset with attention to detail, documentation control and handover readiness.
• Client-focused approach, professional conduct and ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary project teams.
• Resilience, urgency, accountability and the ability to perform effectively under pressure in an active construction site environment.