Job Description

Operations Manager – Underground Water Well & Pipe Construction

Location: California (Travel may be required)

Reports to: General Manager / Executive Leadership

Industry: Water Infrastructure | Underground Utilities | Construction

About the Role:

A growing and mission-driven infrastructure contractor is seeking an Operations Manager with a strong background in underground water well and pipe systems . This individual will play a pivotal role in overseeing project operations, driving business growth, and executing strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate will bring a blend of field construction knowledge, financial acumen, and leadership skills to help position the company as California’s most trusted contractor in the water infrastructure space.

Key Responsibilities:

Project & Operational Oversight

• Lead day-to-day project execution, including safety, scheduling, logistics, permitting, and resource planning
• Supervise field and administrative teams, ensuring quality and compliance across all job sites
• Implement EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) processes including L10 meetings, scorecards, and issue tracking
• Drive continuous improvement through workflow optimization and process standardization

Financial Management

• Manage project P&L, budget forecasting, and profitability goals
• Collaborate with finance on accurate job costing, billing, and margin analysis
• Support pricing strategies, cost control measures, and EBITDA achievement

Sales & Business Development

• Partner with leadership to drive regional sales efforts and account growth
• Leverage CRM tools to track pipeline, strengthen client relationships, and increase market share
• Develop compelling proposals and presentations for municipal, industrial, and agricultural customers

Strategic Growth & Initiatives

• Contribute to acquisition screening, integration planning, and new branch launches
• Identify new market opportunities and partnerships with vendors and subcontractors
• Support regional expansion strategies and cross-branch collaboration

Leadership & Team Development

• Directly manage project teams, field crews, and office staff
• Recruit, train, mentor, and evaluate personnel with an emphasis on development and retention
• Foster a high-performance, safety-focused culture of accountability and teamwork

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as liaison between branch operations and corporate departments (HR, IT, Safety, Fleet, Finance)
• Represent the company at community and industry events as needed

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in construction project management , specifically within water well drilling, underground piping, or water infrastructure industries
• Strong track record of managing technical field teams in a safety-critical environment
• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, business, or equivalent experience
• Proven ability to manage project financials, forecasting, and key performance indicators
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and operational software systems (CRM, ERP, scheduling tools)
• Excellent communicator and problem-solver with strong decision-making capabilities
• Servant-leader mindset with a passion for mentoring and team development

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience with EOS tools and methodologies
• Experience scaling operations or overseeing multi-location construction projects
• Familiarity with California’s municipal, agricultural, and industrial client base
• Prior involvement in M&A integration , regional expansion, or start-up branch operations

Compensation: Competitive salary with performance-based bonuses, company vehicle, benefits package, and long-term career advancement potential within a high-growth organization.

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