Operations Manager-OM0826
Sanders Brothers Construction Company | Charleston, South Carolina
About Sanders Brothers Construction
For over 60 years, Sanders Brothers Construction has been building a foundation of trust for our clients, communities, and employees. Our work spans the Lowcountry - from leading growth in the rapidly expanding Summerville corridor to preserving the character of historic downtown Charleston. With approximately 350 employees across multiple departments including sitework, asphalt, utilities, and soil stabilization, we are a full-service heavy civil contractor delivering on our promises from start to finish.
Integrity. Accountability. Commitment. Teamwork. Safety. Quality.
Every person on our team plays a vital role in building projects that leave a lasting mark on our community.
Position Overview
Sanders Brothers Construction is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead the execution of our Sitework operations. This is a key leadership role responsible for aligning Area Managers, field leadership, equipment, and personnel across multiple active projects to achieve company expectations for safety, quality, schedule, production, and profitability.
The Operations Manager provides division-wide direction and accountability while supporting Area Managers in the successful operation of their respective areas. This position resolves competing priorities, anticipates operational risks, strengthens communication between departments, and ensures Sanders Brothers resources are deployed where they create the greatest value.
Core Purpose
To lead safe, coordinated, and profitable Sitework operations by aligning people, equipment, schedules, and priorities across every project - developing strong Area Managers, removing operational barriers, and ensuring the company's Core 6 and Critical 6 expectations are consistently reflected in the field.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
- Lead Sitework operations across all active projects through direct communication and coordination with Area Managers, Project Managers, field leadership, and the Division Manager
- Provide clear direction, operating priorities, and accountability to Area Managers while allowing them to effectively lead their respective areas
- Lead Sitework operations meetings and ensure decisions, responsibilities, and follow-up actions are clearly communicated
- Identify operational red flags, resource constraints, and project risks early; establish corrective actions before they affect safety, quality, schedule, or profitability
- Develop, standardize, and reinforce operating procedures and best practices across the division
Resource Planning & Utilization
- Maximize the utilization of company personnel and equipment across all Sitework projects
- Review project and area resource needs, resolve conflicts, and make final priority recommendations with the Division Manager when resources are limited
- Coordinate with Area Managers, Project Managers, the Shop, and other departments to align manpower, equipment, materials, and project schedules
- Review and approve rental equipment requests, equipment transfers, and other temporary resource solutions based on operational need and financial impact
- Monitor resource plans and scheduling systems to ensure labor and equipment are assigned efficiently and proactively
Project Performance & Financial Accountability
- Review project production, schedules, budgets, labor usage, equipment utilization, and operational performance with Area Managers and Project Team
- Hold Area Managers accountable for meeting established safety, quality, production, schedule, and budget expectations
- Ensure manpower hours, equipment hours, daily production records, and required operational documentation are accurate and submitted on time
- Partner with Project Team to understand project scope, constraints, subcontractor requirements, and upcoming operational needs
- Drive corrective action and continuous improvement when results do not meet company expectations
Safety & Quality Leadership
- Work closely with the Safety Division Manager and field leadership to ensure all crews operate within Sanders Brothers' Critical 6 safety framework and company safety requirements
- Ensure the Core 6 values - Integrity, Accountability, Commitment, Teamwork, Safety, and Quality - are demonstrated in operational decisions and field execution
- Promote consistent quality standards, jobsite organization, equipment care, and professional conduct across all Sitework operations
- Participate in incident reviews, operational investigations, and corrective-action planning as required
People Leadership & Development
- Directly lead, support, and develop Sitework Area Managers and other assigned operational leaders
- Establish clear performance expectations, conduct annual performance reviews, and provide regular coaching and feedback to direct reports
- Partner with Human Resources to properly address and document performance, conduct, and disciplinary matters
- Support recruiting, selection, onboarding, training, and retention efforts for Sitework leadership and field positions
- Identify high-potential employees, support succession planning, and develop the next generation of operational leaders
- Promote cross-training, quality assurance, and workforce development within each operational area
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Serve as a key operational liaison between Sitework, Project Management, Estimating, Survey, Safety, Human Resources, Recruiting, Workforce Development, and the Shop
- Support effective project handoffs from estimating and preconstruction into field execution
- Build productive relationships with customers, inspectors, subcontractors, vendors, and internal partners
- Communicate operational priorities, constraints, and performance concerns clearly and professionally to company leadership
Leadership Expectations
- Lead with integrity, accountability, consistency, and sound judgment - especially when priorities compete or difficult decisions are required
- Maintain a visible field presence and a thorough understanding of active projects, people, equipment, and operational conditions
- Hold leaders accountable while providing the support, information, and resources necessary for success
- Make timely, fact-based decisions that protect employees, customers, project outcomes, and company profitability
- Build trust through clear communication, reliable follow-through, and professional collaboration
- Challenge ineffective practices and lead continuous improvement without compromising safety or quality
Department: Sitework Operations
Reports To: Division Manager
Qualifications
- Proven experience leading heavy civil, site development, earthwork, grading, utilities, concrete, or related field operations across multiple concurrent projects
- Seven or more years of progressively responsible construction operations experience, including at least three years leading managers, superintendents, or comparable field leaders preferred
- Strong working knowledge of construction scheduling, production planning, equipment utilization, labor management, project budgets, and field documentation
- Demonstrated ability to prioritize company resources across multiple projects and make sound operational decisions under changing conditions
- Ability to read and understand construction plans, specifications, scopes of work, schedules, budgets, and production reports
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to lead meetings, resolve conflict, and build alignment across departments
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to effectively use company scheduling, timekeeping, production-tracking, and equipment-management systems
- Valid driver's license and ability to meet Sanders Brothers' vehicle operation and employment standards
- High school diploma or GED required; bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, business, or a related field preferred
- Flexible availability to support early starts, extended hours, weekends, emergencies, and changing project demands as required
- Ability to work in field and office environments and tolerate varying weather, dust, noise, uneven terrain, and active heavy-construction conditions
Why This Role Matters
Successful projects depend on more than the performance of any one crew or department. They require coordinated leadership across people, equipment, schedules, budgets, and priorities. The Operations Manager provides that alignment - ensuring Area Managers have clear direction, project teams receive the resources they need, and operational issues are addressed before they become costly problems.
As Sanders Brothers continues to grow, this role is essential to building a scalable, accountable Sitework organization. The leadership, judgment, and operational discipline brought to this position directly influence employee safety, customer satisfaction, project profitability, leadership development, and the company's ability to deliver on its commitments across the Lowcountry.
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