What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manager Construction Operations position at UCC Environmental?
UCC Environmental (UCC) is a privately held company founded in 1920. UCC’s traditional business focuses on the design, supply, and service of material handling systems for coal combustion residuals (fly ash, bottom ash, mill rejects, etc.)—by-products of electricity and steam power generation—as well as wastewater treatment systems associated with various plant site water streams. Custom-engineered designs are based on customer specifications, laboratory test data, and UCC design standards proven through decades of experience, making UCC a North American industry leader with a global reputation.
UCC is a progressive, well-run company with strong customer relationships in the Power Generation and Heavy Industrial markets where UCC technology solutions provide measurable value. In many cases, UCC delivers full turnkey solutions, assuming responsibility for engineering, supply, and field execution to ensure customer satisfaction.
The UCC corporate office is located in Waukegan, IL, approximately twenty-five miles north of Chicago. The company also operates a manufacturing and warehousing facility in Pleasant Prairie, WI, warehousing locations in Germany and China, and global engineering offices in Waukegan, Moers (Germany), and Pune (India). UCC executes construction projects primarily across North America.
PRINCIPAL FOCUS OF THE POSITION
The Manager – Construction Operations is responsible for the safe, efficient, and predictable execution of UCC construction projects across North America. This is a hands-on construction leadership role with accountability for field performance, schedule adherence, cost control, subcontractor management, and overall execution quality.
The role bridges pre-award planning and post-award execution by partnering with Sales, Project Management, Engineering, and Field Service to ensure construction scopes are properly defined, risks are understood, and projects are executed in accordance with contract requirements.
Success in this role will be measured by safety performance, on-time milestone delivery, budget compliance, quality outcomes, and customer satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities:
Construction Execution & Safety Leadership
- Deliver construction projects safely, on time, within budget, and in compliance with contractual requirements.
- Lead and promote a strong safety culture across all UCC construction activities and subcontractors.
- Ensure compliance with UCC, customer, and regulatory safety requirements.
- Proactively identify and resolve construction risks affecting safety, schedule, cost, or quality.
Planning, Estimating & Pre-Award Support
- Partner with Sales and Project Management to support proposal development and improve scope and estimating accuracy.
- Validate construction scope, schedule, and cost for major bids prior to award.
- Review subcontractor proposals for scope and schedule alignment.
- Participate in pre-award clarifications related to construction execution and risk allocation.
Project Cost, Schedule & Quality Management
- Maintain construction costs within approved budgets.
- Manage construction schedules to achieve key milestones.
- Minimize cost of quality impacts such as rework and back charges.
- Eliminate exposure to liquidated damages through effective execution.
Constructability & Value Engineering
- Lead constructability reviews on applicable projects.
- Identify value-engineering opportunities to reduce cost or schedule without compromising performance.
Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Alignment
- Provide leadership, coaching, and development to site construction personnel.
- Establish clear expectations related to safety, quality, and performance.
- Foster collaboration with Sales, Engineering, and Project Management teams.
- Serve as a key customer contact for construction-related matters.
Process Improvement
- Identify and implement process improvements to enhance construction execution.
- Support development of standardized construction procedures and playbooks.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil), Construction Management, or Construction Technology required.
- Minimum of 10 years of construction experience in power generation, heavy industrial, or related industries.
- Strong knowledge of construction safety, scheduling, cost control, and subcontractor management.
- Ability to interpret technical drawings and contract documents.
- Experience supporting pre-award planning and estimating preferred.
- Broad experience covering contract execution disciplines with a proven track record of successes
- General business acumen
Characteristics:
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
- Hands-on, practical leadership style.
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative matrix environment.
- Results-driven with a strong commitment to safety and customer satisfaction.
- High energy and commitment
- Must be willing to travel, up to 75% of the time or more as opportunities dictate.
Essential Physical Abilities:
- Ability to climb up and down stairs and ladders.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to walk around power plant for an extended time.
Core Values and Beliefs:
Must be aligned with Core Values and Beliefs that drive UCC’s existing corporate culture;
- People – we trust and invest in our people, unlocking their full potential and they always come first
- Teamwork – we respect others and create a collaborative working environment of inclusion and inspiration
- Integrity – we are truthful and respectful to customers, employees, community and suppliers
- Customer Satisfaction – we keep existing customers by delivering exceptional customer service
- Innovative –we encourage resourceful problem solving in the face of adversity
Compensation and Benefits
Base Pay Range: $160,000 – $180,000 annual pay based on skills and experience
Benefits:
- Insurance: Medical, Dental, Life, Disability, Employee Assistance Programs and Voluntary Options such as Vision, HSA, FSA (Medical, Dental, Vision and Dependent Care), Accident, Identity Theft, Legal coverage
- Retirement: 401(k) with up to 4% company match, Pre-Tax and Roth Options, and discretionary Annual Profit-Sharing contribution
- Time Off: 10 days of Vacation, Vacation Purchase Plan up to 10 days purchased per year, 5 days of Sick and 10 Holidays, Parental Leave, FMLA
- Miscellaneous: Student Debt Assistance, Tuition Reimbursement, Certification and License Reimbursement, Personalized Professional Development Plans and Career Path Options.
How to Apply:
If interested in this position, please apply online via our website at https://uccenvironmental.com/careers/ and select Explore Current Openings to apply for this position online.
UCC Environmental is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran. If you have difficulty applying for this job online, by e-mail, or need accommodations, please call us at 847-473-5900 and ask for Human Resources.
Salary : $160,000 - $180,000