Construction Manager

Company: Rethink Electric

Location: Wood Dale, IL / Project Sites

Type: Full-Time

Compensation: Competitive Base Salary + Discretionary Bonus + Comprehensive Benefits

Position Overview: The Construction Manager / Solar Superintendent is responsible for leading and managing the day-to-day field execution of commercial and industrial solar EPC projects. This is a field-focused construction leadership position responsible for ensuring that work is performed safely, efficiently, on schedule, and in accordance with project drawings, specifications, quality requirements, and contractual requirements. The Construction Manager / Solar Superintendent will provide direct leadership to foremen, electricians, solar installation crews, subcontractors, and other field personnel. This position will work closely with the Project Manager, Engineering, Safety, Procurement, and other project team members to ensure that the project is properly planned, resourced, and executed in the field. The successful candidate must be a hands-on construction leader who understands how commercial and industrial solar projects are built and can translate project schedules, drawings, specifications, and plans into effective daily field execution. This is a construction execution position and is not an owner’s representative, developer, or project development role.

Field Construction Leadership: Lead and manage day-to-day field construction activities for commercial and industrial solar EPC projects. Provide direct leadership and direction to project foremen, electricians, solar installation crews, subcontractors, and other field personnel. Establish clear daily and weekly construction priorities and ensure crews understand planned activities, production expectations, and schedule requirements. Coordinate the sequencing of construction activities to maintain productivity and minimize trade interference and downtime. Monitor field productivity, installed quantities, manpower levels, and production rates. Ensure work is performed in accordance with approved drawings, specifications, project requirements, and Rethink construction standards. Maintain a visible field presence and actively engage with crews and foremen to identify and resolve construction issues.

Solar and Electrical Construction Execution: Oversee construction activities associated with commercial and industrial solar installations, including structural systems, racking, modules, electrical equipment, conduit, wire, inverters, combiner equipment, grounding, terminations, and related balance-of-system components. Coordinate electrical and solar construction activities with other trades and project stakeholders. Review construction drawings and specifications to understand installation requirements and identify potential constructability issues before they affect production. Coordinate field execution of electrical and solar scope in accordance with the project schedule. Ensure crews are installing work correctly the first time and that deficiencies are identified and corrected promptly. Identify field conditions that differ from the construction documents and coordinate appropriate resolution with the Project Manager and Engineering.

Schedule and Production Management: Drive daily and weekly production against the project schedule and established milestones. Work with the Project Manager and foremen to develop realistic manpower plans and short-term construction schedules. Identify schedule risks, production constraints, material shortages, access issues, design issues, weather impacts, and other field constraints. Develop and execute recovery plans when construction activities fall behind schedule. Monitor critical path activities and ensure field resources are focused on activities that directly impact project milestones. Ensure planned work is ready to be performed before crews are dispatched, including drawings, materials, equipment, access, and manpower.

Manpower and Crew Management: Plan and coordinate manpower requirements based on project schedule and production needs. Assign crews and resources to maximize productivity and maintain schedule commitments. Evaluate crew performance, productivity, workmanship, and adherence to company expectations. Provide coaching and direction to foremen and field personnel. Identify staffing needs and communicate manpower requirements to project and company leadership. Hold field leadership accountable for daily production, safety, quality, and schedule performance.

Material, Equipment, and Site Logistics: Coordinate with Project Management, Procurement, and field leadership to ensure materials and equipment are available when required. Identify material shortages, damaged materials, incorrect materials, and delivery issues that could impact construction. Coordinate site deliveries, material staging, equipment utilization, and laydown areas. Identify upcoming material and equipment requirements before they become a constraint to field production.

Safety Leadership: Maintain a strong safety culture across all project sites. Ensure field personnel comply with OSHA requirements, Rethink safety policies, site-specific safety requirements, and customer requirements. Conduct and participate in daily safety meetings, toolbox talks, job hazard analyses, and other required safety activities. Identify unsafe conditions and immediately implement corrective actions. Work closely with the Safety team to investigate incidents, address corrective actions, and prevent recurrence. Lead by example and make safety an integral part of daily construction planning and execution.

Quality Control: Maintain responsibility for field quality and workmanship. Ensure construction activities are performed in accordance with approved drawings, specifications, manufacturer requirements, and Rethink standards. Conduct regular field inspections and verify that work is being installed correctly. Identify, document, and correct construction deficiencies. Coordinate punch list activities and ensure deficiencies are closed in a timely manner. Work with Project Management and Engineering to resolve recurring quality or constructability issues. Promote a “do it right the first time” approach to field execution.

Field Documentation and Reporting: Ensure daily field activities and progress are accurately documented. Review daily reports, manpower reports, installed quantities, photographs, safety documentation, and other required field records. Provide timely and accurate construction updates to the Project Manager. Communicate field issues, schedule risks, manpower requirements, material constraints, and other items that may impact project performance. Ensure project documentation reflects actual field conditions and progress.

Commissioning and Project Completion: Coordinate field activities required to prepare the project for testing, energization, commissioning, and turnover. Ensure construction deficiencies are addressed prior to commissioning activities. Coordinate punch list completion with foremen and field crews.

Leadership and Team Development: Develop strong working relationships with foremen and field personnel. Establish clear expectations for safety, quality, productivity, attendance, communication, and professionalism. Mentor and develop field leaders to improve their construction management and leadership capabilities.

Qualifications: 10+ years of commercial, industrial, electrical, solar, or related construction experience. Minimum 5 years of experience in a Superintendent, General Foreman, Construction Manager, or similar field leadership position. Proven experience leading commercial and industrial solar EPC construction projects. Strong understanding of commercial rooftop and/or ground-mounted solar construction. Strong understanding of electrical construction and solar installation practices. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple crews and subcontractors in an active construction environment. Proven ability to manage manpower, production, schedule, quality, safety, and site logistics. Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, electrical drawings, specifications, and project schedules. Strong understanding of construction sequencing and field coordination. Demonstrated ability to identify construction constraints and develop practical solutions. Strong communication, leadership, organization, and problem-solving skills. Ability to work effectively with Project Managers, Engineers, foremen, electricians, subcontractors, customers, and company leadership. OSHA 30 certification required. CPR/First Aid certification preferred. NABCEP certification is a plus but not required. Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field is preferred but may be substituted with significant relevant field experience. Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record. Willingness and ability to travel to project sites throughout Illinois and surrounding markets. Ability to climb ladders, access commercial rooftops, and work in active construction environments. Ability to work outdoors and in varying weather conditions. Ability to lift, carry, and maneuver typical construction materials and equipment as required.