What are the responsibilities and job description for the Field Operations Manager position at Creature?
Field Operations Manager
Location: Birmingham, AL
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Compensation: Competitive salary performance-based bonus eligibility
Employment Type: Full-time
About Creature
Creature is a vertically integrated builder that self-performs electrical, plumbing, HVAC (mechanical), and carpentry. We invest in developing elite tradespeople, executing with precision, and building systems that eliminate waste and increase reliability. Our work only succeeds when the field succeeds — and the Field Operations Manager sits at the center of that mission.
Purpose of the Role
Own and lead Creature’s trade workforce to ensure exceptional field execution across all projects. The Field Operations Manager exists to build, deploy, and develop high-performing trade teams by exercising sound judgment, clear authority, and disciplined leadership. This role ensures the right people are prepared, placed, and progressing—while holding the standard for safety, performance, and long-term workforce strength.
Key Responsibilities
1) Ownership of the Trade Workforce
Serve as the senior operational leader for all trade workers (Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Carpentry). Own performance, development, morale, and accountability across the workforce. This role sets expectations, resolves issues, and ensures trade workers are supported, challenged, and progressing.
2) Workforce Strategy & Deployment
Ensure the right people are on the right projects at the right time. Use judgment, experience, and understanding of individual skill sets—not just schedules—to make deployment decisions that optimize project flow, productivity, and long-term talent development.
3) Week-One Onboarding & Trade Readiness
Own the full Week-One experience for all new trade hires. Establish trust, clarify expectations, ensure safety and policy understanding, assess starting skills, and create an initial advancement plan that sets each worker up for success from Day 1.
4) Look-Ahead Discipline & Schedule Authority
Hold the standard for high-quality 4-Week Look-Aheads. Challenge gaps, missed constraints, and people-related oversights. Partner with field and executive leadership to approve labor plans and enforce schedule integrity—no changes without alignment and approval.
5) Trade Development & Continuous Improvement
Drive continuous improvement of the trade workforce through post-project assessments, targeted training, and intentional job assignments. Identify patterns, skill gaps, and opportunities to strengthen bench depth, safety, and long-term performance.
Traits That Define Success
Ownership Mentality — Owns the entire field workforce and its performance.
Clarity & Communication — Provides timely, accurate updates that build trust.
Conscientiousness — Tracks details, training, skillsets, and project needs with precision.
Collaboration — Works seamlessly with PMs, field leaders, and People & Culture.
Urgency & Discipline — Moves quickly, decisively, and with strong follow-through.
Qualifications
Must-Have - 5 years experience in field operations, construction scheduling, trade supervision, or similar.
- Deep understanding of electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and/or carpentry workflows.
- Proven ability to lead large groups of skilled tradespeople.
- Strong scheduling, planning, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred - Experience in a self-perform construction environment.
- Familiarity with labor forecasting tools, resource planning, or production systems.
- Experience onboarding or training tradespeople.
Creature is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate craftsmanship, collaboration, and commitment to excellence in every build.