Operations Manager (Geotechnical Construction)

About us:

Medor is a leading recruitment partner in Indonesia and Asia-Pacific, bringing over a decade of experience. We specialize in finding top talent that aligns with company culture and expectations, utilizing thorough assessments to ensure the best fit. Our expertise covers all hiring levels across industries such as IT, construction, logistics, and finance.

About the customer:

Our client is an established international construction and engineering group with operations across Southeast Asia, delivering large-scale infrastructure and industrial projects. The company operates in the Philippines through a local partner and maintains close collaboration with shared services teams in finance, HR, and procurement. The office will be based in Makati, Manila, Philippines supporting both local project operations and regional reporting.

Job Summary:

The Operations Manager role provides hands-on oversight of operational activities, ensures effective planning and execution across all projects, and supervises the operations to guarantee adherence to schedules, safety protocols, and organizational procedures. Acting as a key operational leader, the Operation Manager helps coordinate internal teams, supports problem solving on site, and serves as a deputy to the Country Manager in managing critical operational and managerial duties. Experience working within international organizations and collaborating with multicultural teams is highly preferred.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Oversight and Execution

• Oversee day-to-day operations across all ongoing projects.

• Ensure operational planning, scheduling, and mobilization are executed on time.

• Review projects in depth to schedule deliverables and estimate costs.

• Monitor the utilization of equipment, crews, materials, and subcontractors.

• Intervene directly in operational tasks when necessary to ensure quality and adherence to procedures.

• Ensure full compliance with internal SOPs, operational processes, and HSE standards.

• Prepare initial construction logistics plans and oversee periodic updates.

• Validate procurement requests for materials and equipment.

• Propose CAPEX investments where appropriate.

• Provide daily guidance and weekly planning support to the Operations Manager.

• Ensure proper organization, documentation, and follow-through of operational tasks.

• Supervise operational planning, reporting, resource allocation, and compliance activities.

• Coach, support, and improve the performance of operational teams.

• Conduct weekly operational coordination meetings and enforce task accountability.

Sales Support for Planning and Tender

• Collaborate with the Sales team during tender preparation by providing technical input, cost estimates, and resource planning.

• Review tender documents and ensure feasibility of proposed timelines and budgets.

• Assist in developing competitive proposals that align with operational capabilities.

Performance and Compliance

• Monitor daily operational activities to ensure adherence to project plans, internal processes, and contractual performance requirements.

• Review and consolidate operational reports prepared by the Operations teams and site teams to ensure accuracy, completeness, and timely submission.

• Enforce compliance with all operational procedures, documentation standards, and HSE protocols across projects.

• Identify operational non‑conformities and implement corrective and preventive actions in coordination with the project teams.

• Support the Country Manager in ensuring projects meet quality, productivity, and safety benchmarks, escalating issues where necessary.

• Oversee implementation of new processes and ensure consistent application by the Operations Manager and field staff.

Risk and Quality Management

• Monitor operational risks across all ongoing projects and ensure that the site teams apply appropriate mitigation measures.

• Review risk assessments and method statements prepared by operational staff, verifying alignment with company procedures and safety requirements.

• Track operational deviations, delays, and recurring issues to identify systemic risks and recommend improvements to planning, procedures, or resource allocation.

• Analyze safety reports, incident logs, and NCRs to detect trends and ensure that preventive actions are implemented and monitored for effectiveness.

• Coordinate with HSE and QA/QC teams to strengthen compliance standards and improve operational discipline across all projects.

Resource and Cost Management

• Review and validate resource forecasts prepared by the site teams to ensure alignment with project schedules, operational capacities, and budget constraints.

• Oversee the distribution of manpower, equipment, and materials across projects, ensuring optimal utilization and proactively addressing shortages or inefficiencies.

• Monitor procurement requests related to operational activities, ensuring compliance with internal procedures before elevating for approval by the Country Manager or relevant authority.

• Verify operational expenditures, track cost deviations, and ensure corrective actions are taken to maintain budget discipline.

• Analyze usage data (equipment hours, crew allocation, fuel consumption, consumables, etc.) to identify opportunities for cost optimization and improved productivity.

• Coordinate closely with Logistics, Procurement, and Finance to ensure timely availability of resources and adherence to budgetary controls.

Leadership and Coordination

• Provide daily guidance, supervision, and performance oversight to the project/site teams, ensuring operational tasks are properly organized, executed, and documented.

• Conduct regular reporting meetings and resolve conflicts with clients.

• Lead regular operational coordination meetings with the project team, site supervisors, and relevant departments to ensure alignment on schedules, priorities, and resource needs.

• Support the Country Manager by addressing operational issues raised by clients and facilitating conflict resolution, escalating only when required.

• Oversee the handling of technical and logistical issues during project execution, ensuring timely resolution by the project teams and field teams.

• Identify skills gaps within operational teams and coordinate with HR, HSE, and Technical departments to implement appropriate training and competency‑building programs.

• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement across all operational functions.

• Address major technical issues during project execution.

• Identify training needs for site operatives and coordinate with other departments as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related technical field; equivalent operational experience may also be considered.

• Significant experience in operations management within geotechnical works, drilling, construction, or field‑based technical services.

• Demonstrated ability to lead, supervise, and improve performance of operational teams, including middle‑management functions such as Operations Managers.

• Strong competency in operational planning, process enforcement, resource management, and day‑to‑day project coordination.

• Solid understanding of safety regulations, risk management practices, and quality control processes relevant to field operations.

• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.

• Proficiency in project management tools, operational documentation systems, and MS Office applications.

• Ability to work both at office level and in the field, with a hands‑on approach to operational issues and performance monitoring.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to coordinate across departments and interact with clients when required.