Industrial construction operations manager job description
An industrial construction operations manager builds each day's plan for crews, cranes, lifts and other equipment across several plant and warehouse jobs. This person matches each machine to a qualified operator, moves crafts as jobs change and keeps leadership updated on progress.
By the HireBus team · Updated · Pay data: BLS, May 2025
Median pay, commercial and industrial building contractors · BLS, May 2025
Serve as the key leader in overseeing and coordinating crews, equipment, and daily schedules across industrial construction projects. Ensure that all operations run smoothly while meeting company quality, safety, and productivity standards. Act as a bridge between project management, onsite teams, and clients to achieve company objectives and drive operational excellence.
2. Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Allocate crews and schedule activities to optimize resource utilization and project timelines.
Organize and coordinate equipment allocation and maintenance to support efficient operations.
Monitor daily tasks and oversee site progress to ensure adherence to project plans and quality standards.
Enforce safety and compliance protocols across all work sites.
Collaborate with project managers and other department leads to resolve operational challenges.
3. Key Tasks / Daily Activities
Develop and adjust daily schedules for construction crews based on project needs and unforeseen changes.
Coordinate equipment assignments and verify availability for ongoing tasks.
Conduct regular site inspections and document progress, liaising with team members and clients.
Provide timely updates and reports to the Director of Operations on operational performance and issues.
4. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Revenue per hour: Achieve a target of $150 per operating hour.
Callback rate: Maintain a callback rate of less than 5%.
Customer Satisfaction Rating: Attain an average rating above 4.8 stars.
Capacity efficiency: Ensure a minimum of 85% efficiency in crew and equipment utilization.
5. Required Qualifications and Skills
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field.
Minimum of 5 years’ experience in operations management, preferably within industrial or construction settings.
Demonstrated leadership and team management skills with the ability to prioritize competing tasks effectively.
Proficient in using scheduling, project management, and productivity software.
Excellent communication and problem-solving skills to interact effectively with internal teams and clients.
6. Preferred Experience
Previous experience managing operations in industrial construction or home services environments.
A track record of implementing process improvements and efficiency enhancements on large-scale projects.
Familiarity with both union and non-union labor dynamics in construction settings.
Experience in a fast-paced, growth-oriented company with complex operational demands.
7. Physical Requirements
Ability to lift up to 25-50 lbs. where necessary.
Frequent walking, climbing stairs, and prolonged periods on construction sites.
Exposure to varying outdoor weather and temperatures during site visits.
Regular use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required by safety regulations.
8. Work Environment and Schedule
Typical work hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Occasional evenings and weekends may be required due to project demands.
Onsite visits at multiple construction projects are a regular part of the role.
Minimal travel is expected within the local region to support operational oversight.
9. Compensation and Benefits
Competitive salary range of $75,000 - $95,000 USD per annum.
Eligibility for performance-based bonuses as part of the overall compensation package.
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans available.
401(k) with company match to support long-term financial planning.
Additional benefits include paid time off, professional development opportunities, and more.
10. Company Culture and Overview
We are a dynamic, growth-oriented company committed to delivering innovative industrial construction solutions.
Our collaborative environment encourages professional development and continuous improvement.
We value diversity, creativity, and teamwork, ensuring every team member has the opportunity to succeed.
Our culture is built on integrity, quality, and a shared commitment to exceeding customer expectations.
11. How to Apply
If you meet the above criteria and want to be part of a growth-oriented company focused on customer satisfaction, please send your resume to [INSERT EMAIL HERE] or apply online at [INSERT WEBSITE LINK HERE].
Need help filling this role? HireBus posts the ad, Iris interviews every applicant by phone before you do, and you decide who to hire. Start hiring now
What changes for an operations manager in industrial construction
Crews and machines move between plant and warehouse jobs every week. In industrial work, who may run each machine and which craft may do each task limit those moves.
Rhode Island licenses machine operators
Rhode Island, for example, licenses equipment operators. Anyone running hoisting or excavation equipment of five horsepower or more, or able to lift more than five hundred pounds, needs a state license, and the company may not let an unlicensed person run it. Each license lists the equipment types its holder may run, so keep that list beside the crew board. Source: Rhode Island General Laws 28-26-5: License required for operation of hoisting machinery.
Forklift operators need training and an evaluation
OSHA applies its forklift training rule to construction. Before anyone runs a forklift or other powered industrial truck, the employer must make sure they've finished formal instruction, practical training and an evaluation of how they operate in the workplace. The employer certifies each operator's training and repeats the evaluation every three years or sooner. Track those dates so a crew move never puts an untrained operator on a machine. Source: OSHA: Powered industrial truck operator training (29 CFR 1910.178(l)).
Craft lines decide who does the work
On a union job, each craft's agreement says which work belongs to it, such as ironworkers on structural steel and pipefitters on process pipe. Moving a worker across those lines can start a grievance or a jurisdiction dispute. On open-shop jobs, the limit is each person's skills and certifications. Plan crew moves with both kinds of job in mind.
Rented machines cost money every day
Cranes, lifts and welders rented for an industrial job bill by the day or month whether they run or not. Check the equipment list each week, send back what's idle, and move owned machines to the job that needs them before renting more. Telematics or the rental company's portal will show which units sat.
How much industrial construction operations managers make
The closest BLS group for industrial construction operations managers is general and operations managers. General and operations managers who work for commercial and industrial builders earned a median of $148,700 a year ($71.49 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s above the $105,770 median for general and operations managers in all industries. About 32,560 of the 3,503,020 general and operations managers in that survey work for commercial and industrial building contractors.
This role usually earns a salary and a performance bonus. BLS pools this job with general managers, including those at much larger builders, so the median on this page runs well above the template's range.
Commercial and industrial building contractors
$148,700$148,700 median Middle half $99,830–$207,480 10th–90th $64,930–$300,370
All industries
$105,770$105,770 median Middle half $72,320–$167,280 10th–90th $50,090–$253,390
$0k$50k$100k$150k$200k$250k$300k$350k
10th–90th percentileMiddle halfMedianAnnual pay, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Annual pay by percentile
Group
10th
25th
Median
75th
90th
Commercial and industrial building contractors
$64,930
$99,830
$148,700
$207,480
$300,370
All industries
$50,090
$72,320
$105,770
$167,280
$253,390
BLS reports industrial and commercial building contractors together. Post a real range for your market in the ad.
The pay line in the template above is an example from our Role Blueprint. Set yours from these figures and what local companies pay.
Skills to hire for, and what you can teach
Hire for these
Builds daily crew and equipment plans across several jobs
Knows which licenses and training each machine needs
Has worked with union crafts, open-shop crews or both
Makes quick calls when a crew or machine is short
Gives project managers and owners straight updates
Teach these on the job
Your scheduling and equipment tracking software
Your craft agreements and hall contacts
Each owner's site access rules
State operator license types where you work
Your equipment rates and rental accounts
Expect a crew scheduling tool or spreadsheet, an equipment tracking system with telematics, and the timecard app crews use each day. The template asks for scheduling software skills, so say which program you run.
Industrial construction operations manager interview questions
Two of the 6 questions we'd ask, and what a strong answer sounds like. Ask every candidate the same questions, and rate each answer on your own before you compare notes.
Situational · Matching qualified crafts to work
Tomorrow three plant jobs need welders, two certified welders are out, and one client requires welders qualified to its own procedures. How do you handle it?
A strong answer: Checks each welder's qualifications against the client's requirements, moves qualified people from other jobs, brings in qualified help, tells the client about any schedule change, and never sends an unqualified welder.
Behavioral · Union and non-union crews
Tell me about a time you managed crews under different labor arrangements, such as union and non-union, on related work. What did you watch for?
A strong answer: Learned each agreement's work rules, assigned tasks so craft lines were respected, kept foremen talking, and headed off disputes.
Do forklift operators on a Rhode Island construction job need a hoisting license?
Yes. Rhode Island's hoisting law exempts forklifts in general industry, where employer or third-party certification is enough. Operators of powered industrial forklift trucks in the construction field must hold a state hoisting engineer's license along with an operator's certification. Check each operator's license before you assign a forklift on a Rhode Island job.
How much does an industrial construction operations manager make?
General and operations managers who work for commercial and industrial builders earned a median of $148,700 a year ($71.49 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $99,830 and $207,480 a year. Pay also depends on your local market, experience and bonus terms.
Who orders craft workers from the union hall?
Pick one person, usually the operations manager, so requests don't cross. Call the hall with the craft, the number of workers, the start date, the site and any certifications needed, such as weld tests. Each craft agreement sets its own referral rules, including whether you can ask for workers by name. Keep a list of past workers you'd want back.
How far ahead should crews and equipment be planned?
Keep a weekly plan for the next few weeks and update it every day. Book cranes and specialty equipment for shutdown work as soon as the owner sets the outage dates. Compare the plan with each project's schedule at the weekly meeting, and flag any week where crews or machines fall short.
How do the lifting and stair lines play out on site?
The template's lifting, stair, walking, weather and PPE lines ship as written. On a normal day, this manager carries tools, test gear or materials within the template's weight range, climbs stairs to platforms to check work, walks several job sites, and wears the gear the plant requires, such as FR clothing, a hard hat, glasses and hearing protection. List these tasks in the ad.
