Surfacing Contracts Manager

Contracts Manager - Commercial and Aviation Surfacing Salary: £60,000 – £85,000, depending on experience Package: Company car, fuel card and additional benefits Location: Reading, with projects mainly across the South of England Position: Full-time, Permanent Accommodation and an additional allowance are provided when working away from home. Up Front Recruitment is working with an established commercial and aviation surfacing contractor to recruit an experienced Contracts Manager. This is a senior position with responsibility for managing surfacing contracts from pre-start planning through to completion. Most projects are based across the South of England, although some nationwide travel will be required. About the company The company provides asphalt, tarmac, resin and concrete surfacing for clients throughout the UK. Its work covers commercial developments, airports, military sites, ports, rail, residential developments, education and local authority projects. Aviation work includes runway, taxiway and apron surfacing, concrete repairs, joint treatments, airfield ground lighting and line marking. The business has an experienced team of qualified site staff and trained surfacing operatives. It combines specialist technical knowledge with the plant, labour and supplier relationships needed to deliver projects safely and on programme. About the role As Contracts Manager, you will oversee several commercial and aviation surfacing projects at different stages. You will plan each contract, organise the required resources and maintain control of programme, cost, quality and health and safety. You will also act as the main link between clients, site teams, subcontractors, suppliers and the company’s management team. The role requires someone who understands how surfacing projects work in practice. You will need to anticipate problems, make decisions quickly and keep projects moving without losing control of quality or cost. Responsibilities Manage surfacing contracts from pre-start through to completion Oversee commercial and aviation projects across the South of England Plan programmes, labour, plant, materials and subcontract resources Coordinate Site Managers, Supervisors, operatives and subcontractors Review drawings, specifications and scopes of work Make sure the correct asphalt, tarmac, resin or concrete surfacing system is used Identify programme risks and resolve delivery issues Maintain health and safety standards across all projects Attend progress meetings and provide clear project updates Manage variations, additional works and changes in scope Maintain accurate project records and documentation Support procurement and the scheduling of materials and plant Complete project handovers and close-out documentation Travel to sites as required, including occasional projects elsewhere in the UK About you You will need: Previous contracts or project management experience within surfacing Good knowledge of asphalt, tarmac, resin or associated surfacing works Experience managing site teams, subcontractors and suppliers The ability to plan labour, materials, plant and project programmes A practical understanding of health and safety on live construction sites Good commercial awareness and control of project costs Confidence dealing directly with clients and main contractors Strong organisational and problem-solving skills The flexibility to travel and stay away when projects require it Experience within commercial or aviation surfacing would be particularly relevant. Applications will also be considered from experienced surfacing professionals who have managed highways, infrastructure, local authority or other specialist surfacing contracts. Why consider this position? The role offers genuine control of a varied project portfolio rather than responsibilit