Construction Manager

Job Title: Construction Manager 
Job Location: Irving-USA-75039 
Work Location Type: Hybrid 



 

About us

Since 1942, SkyChefs has taken culinary excellence to new heights. As a trusted partner to the nation’s leading airlines and retailers, we proudly deliver millions of meals and exceptional service experiences every year across 43 sites throughout the United States. Built on a legacy of operational excellence, culinary expertise, and continuous innovation, we are committed to setting the industry standard in aviation culinary, airline services, last-mile logistics, and retail commerce. From the kitchen to the runway, our teams work together to deliver quality, reliability, and service at every altitude. Our people are the heart of everything we do. At SkyChefs, a career is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to grow, lead, and make an impact in a fast-paced, team-driven environment. Join America’s first, foremost, and finest and take your career to new heights.

Role Purpose Statement

Build the Future of Aviation Catering Infrastructure

SkyChefs is embarking on an exciting period of growth, modernization, and capital investment across our U.S. network. To support this evolution, we are seeking a highly agile, solutions-oriented Director, Facilities Engineering & Capital Projects to lead complex infrastructure, construction, facility expansion, and engineering initiatives that directly impact operational excellence and customer service.

This newly created leadership role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of SkyChefs' facilities portfolio by driving multimillion-dollar capital projects from concept through completion. We are looking for a technically strong project leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, can seamlessly transition between strategy and execution, and brings deep expertise in project engineering support, facilities engineering, construction management, and stakeholder engagement.

The ideal candidate combines strong engineering judgment with exceptional project leadership capabilities and is energized by solving complex infrastructure challenges while delivering measurable business results.

Why This Role Matters

As the Facilities Engineering and Capital Projects leader, you will serve as the organization's subject matter expert for engineering, construction, and infrastructure investments across a nationwide network of food production and aviation facilities.

You will play a critical role in:

• Developing and executing long-range capital investment strategies
• Modernizing facilities and supporting network expansion initiatives
• Leading engineering evaluations and technical project solutions
• Improving operational efficiency through facility enhancements and automation
• Partnering with executive leadership to prioritize investments and optimize ROI
• Ensuring compliance with regulatory, environmental, safety, and operational standards

This role is ideal for a highly adaptable professional who enjoys balancing strategic planning, technical problem-solving, and hands-on project execution.

Main Accountabilities

Capital Projects & Construction Management

• Lead the full lifecycle delivery of capital improvement, facility expansion, renovation, infrastructure, automation, and construction projects across the U.S. network.
• Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, risk mitigation plans, and performance metrics to ensure successful project delivery.
• Oversee engineering design, procurement, permitting, contractor selection, construction execution, commissioning, and project closeout activities.
• Drive project engineering support activities, providing technical guidance and engineering solutions throughout planning and execution phases.
• Partner with Procurement, Asset Management, Operations, and executive stakeholders to identify and implement best-value solutions.
• Utilize project management tools such as Procore and Ariba to manage project documentation, reporting, approvals, change orders, and project controls.
• Review and approve project invoices, contractor pay applications, lien waivers, and change management documentation.

Facilities Engineering Leadership

• Serve as the technical authority for facilities engineering initiatives and infrastructure modernization projects.
• Conduct facility assessments and engineering evaluations to identify opportunities for operational improvements, asset optimization, cost reduction, and risk mitigation.
• Apply engineering principles to complex production, utility, and facility systems to ensure reliability and continuous operation.
• Support equipment sourcing, installation, startup, and integration efforts.
• Develop engineering solutions related to maintenance, mechanical systems, utilities, environmental controls, and facility infrastructure.
• Provide engineering support to field operations teams for maintenance, troubleshooting, and emergency response situations.

Capital Planning & Continuous Improvement

• Lead capital planning efforts, including needs assessments, lifecycle analysis, business case development, and ROI evaluations.
• Develop and prioritize capital expenditure projects aligned with operational and business objectives.
• Identify innovative engineering solutions that accelerate timelines, reduce project costs, and improve long-term asset performance.
• Support Lean Manufacturing, automation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives across the network.

Regulatory & Environmental Compliance

• Ensure projects comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including:
  • USDA
  • FDA
  • OSHA
  • EPA
  • DOT
  • FAA
  • Municipal and airport authority requirements
• Interface with governmental agencies, permitting authorities, environmental consultants, and regulatory organizations throughout project execution.
• Support environmental stewardship initiatives, including air quality, wastewater, stormwater management, SWPPP compliance, and waste management programs.

Leadership

• Model corporate values and participate as required in groups, initiative and advisory bodies
• Proactively support other departments and functions as the Subject Matter Expert

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Required Experience

  • 7+ years of experience leading facilities engineering, construction, infrastructure, capital projects, or industrial engineering initiatives.
  • Demonstrated success managing multiple complex construction or facility projects simultaneously.
  • Strong project engineering support experience, including design coordination, technical problem-solving, engineering reviews, and project execution support.
  • Experience working in manufacturing, food production, industrial processing, aviation, logistics, distribution, or similarly complex operational environments.
  • Proven ability to manage contractors, consultants, architects, engineers, and cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Experience navigating compressed timelines and fast-changing project requirements.

  Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Construction Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Facilities Engineering, Construction Management, or related technical discipline.
  • PMP certification or equivalent project management experience.
  • Knowledge of Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) systems, CADD platforms, and project management technologies.
  • Experience supporting food production, regulated manufacturing, aviation, airport, or distribution facilities.
  • Understanding of maintenance systems, utility infrastructure, automation technologies, and facility reliability programs.

SkyChefs is an EEO and Affirmative Action Employer of Women/Minorities/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.