Water Tech. is a growing Calgary-based mechanical contractor specializing in plumbing, HVAC, gas and hydronic systems for multifamily, high-rise, commercial and mixed-use construction projects.
As our project portfolio continues to grow, we are looking for an experienced Operations Manager – Mechanical Construction to take ownership of our field operations and help build a high-performing, accountable and quality-driven construction team.
This is a senior leadership position for someone who understands that successful construction operations are about more than managing people — they are about planning ahead, controlling labour, maintaining quality, developing foremen and consistently delivering projects on schedule.
The Role
The Operations Manager will be responsible for the overall performance of Water Tech's field construction operations across multiple active projects.
You will work closely with Project Managers, Superintendents, Foremen and senior management to ensure projects have the right manpower, materials, information and leadership required to meet production targets.
The successful candidate must be highly field-oriented and comfortable visiting projects regularly, identifying problems early and holding field leadership accountable for results.
Key ResponsibilitiesField Operations & Project Execution
- Oversee field operations across multiple mechanical construction projects.
- Ensure projects are progressing according to schedule, budget and company quality standards.
- Conduct regular site visits and field operational reviews.
- Establish measurable weekly production targets with Superintendents and Foremen.
- Monitor actual progress against weekly commitments and project schedules.
- Identify projects falling behind and develop immediate recovery plans.
- Coordinate sequencing of plumbing, HVAC, hydronic and mechanical work with project teams.
- Ensure crews are working efficiently and productively.
Manpower & Productivity
- Manage company-wide field manpower allocation across active projects.
- Forecast manpower requirements several weeks in advance.
- Coordinate transfers of employees between projects based on actual production requirements.
- Monitor labour hours against project budgets and percentage of work completed.
- Identify labour overruns and productivity problems early.
- Work with Foremen to improve crew productivity and installation methods.
- Ensure appropriate crew composition between Journeypersons, Apprentices and Helpers.
- Assist with field recruitment and workforce planning as required.
Field Leadership & Accountability
- Lead, coach and hold Superintendents and Foremen accountable for field performance.
- Establish clear expectations for daily and weekly production.
- Develop stronger Foremen and future field leaders within the company.
- Address poor performance, lack of accountability and recurring operational problems.
- Ensure Foremen understand drawings, schedules, scopes and upcoming requirements.
- Promote a professional, respectful and results-driven field culture.
Quality Control
- Establish and enforce company field quality standards.
- Implement internal quality-control inspections before consultant, GC or authority inspections.
- Ensure installations comply with drawings, specifications, codes and manufacturer requirements.
- Reduce deficiencies, rework and warranty issues.
- Ensure pressure tests, inspections, commissioning documentation and quality records are completed properly.
- Review recurring deficiencies and implement corrective measures.
- Ensure completed work is properly documented with reports and photographs.
Planning & Coordination
- Maintain a rolling two-week field lookahead for active projects.
- Ensure materials, equipment, drawings, RFIs and approvals are available before crews require them.
- Identify upcoming constraints before they affect field production.
- Coordinate closely with Project Managers regarding procurement, schedule, change orders and site conditions.
- Participate in project startup, major milestone and recovery meetings.
- Support project closeout, commissioning and turnover.
Reporting & Operational Controls
Maintain and review key operational reports including:
- Weekly Project Production Plans
- Manpower Allocation
- Labour Budget vs. Actual
- Two-Week Lookahead
- Project Progress Dashboard
- Quality Control Reports
- Inspection Status
- Deficiency Tracking
- Project Recovery Plans
Provide senior management with a clear weekly overview of project performance using Green / Yellow / Red status reporting.
What Success Looks Like
The Operations Manager will be measured on results, including:
- Projects meeting weekly production targets
- Projects remaining on schedule
- Labour performance against budget
- Effective manpower utilization
- Inspection pass rates
- Reduction in deficiencies and rework
- Quality of completed installations
- Foreman performance and accountability
- Material and equipment readiness
- Ability to identify problems before they become emergencies
- Successful project closeout and turnover
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have:
- 10+ years of mechanical construction experience preferred.
- 5+ years of field leadership, Superintendent, General Superintendent or Operations Management experience preferred.
- Strong plumbing/mechanical construction knowledge.
- Experience managing multiple construction projects simultaneously.
- Strong understanding of multifamily, high-rise and/or commercial mechanical construction.
- Experience managing Foremen and field crews.
- Strong understanding of labour productivity and construction scheduling.
- Ability to read mechanical drawings, specifications and construction schedules.
- Strong knowledge of quality control, testing and inspections.
- Excellent leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.
- Strong organizational and planning abilities.
- Valid driver's licence and ability to travel between Calgary-area project sites.
A Journeyperson Plumber/Gasfitter, Red Seal certification or equivalent mechanical trade background is considered a strong asset.
The Person We Are Looking For
We are looking for a builder and field leader — not simply an administrator.
You should be someone who naturally walks onto a project and asks:
- Are we on schedule?
- Are we achieving today's production target?
- Is our labour productivity acceptable?
- What is preventing the crew from moving faster?
- Do we have the material required for the next two weeks?
- Is the installation being completed correctly the first time?
- What problem is coming next that we can solve today?
You must be comfortable making decisions, challenging poor performance, coaching field leaders and taking ownership of results.
Why Join Water Tech Mechanical Inc.
This is an opportunity to join a growing mechanical contractor and have a meaningful role in developing the company's field operations.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to help build and improve our operational systems, develop field leadership and establish the standards required to support the company's continued growth.
We are looking for someone who wants to build an operation, develop people and leave projects better than they found them.
Compensation
Competitive compensation based on experience and qualifications.
Benefits and additional compensation details will be discussed with qualified candidates.
Location
Calgary, Alberta
Regular travel to active project sites throughout Calgary and surrounding areas is required.
Water Tech Mechanical Inc.
Plumbing. HVAC. Gas. Hydronics.
Pay: $87,566.27-$112,184.67 per year
Work Location: In person
