Commercial Landscape Development Operations Manager

Midwest Landscape Industries is hiring a Commercial Landscape Development Operations Manager in Indianapolis, IN. This full-time, exempt position reports to the VP of Development and leads commercial landscape construction and installation projects from preconstruction handoff through closeout and warranty. You will guide field teams, coordinate resources, and manage budgets to deliver safe, timely, high-quality projects for property developers, general contractors, municipalities, and corporate campuses. The role combines office planning with hands-on field oversight.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations for multiple commercial landscape projects, including site preparation, grading and drainage, hardscape, irrigation, planting, lighting, and turf installation.
• Partner with estimators, project managers, and superintendents to move projects from bid to construction; review plans, specifications, and scopes to establish schedules, crew assignments, and material and equipment needs.
• Supervise, coach, and evaluate superintendents, foremen, crew leaders, and field staff; support hiring, onboarding, training, and performance management.
• Allocate labor, equipment, materials, and subcontractors across active projects, coordinating fleet and equipment needs with maintenance and procurement.
• Visit job sites, inspect installation quality, and resolve field issues, requests for information, change orders, schedule conflicts, and scope disputes.
• Monitor budgets, labor hours, material costs, and job-cost variances; forecast costs to completion and improve productivity, equipment utilization, and margin performance.
• Enforce OSHA, environmental, and local requirements, including erosion and sediment control and applicable pesticide and herbicide licensing requirements; lead safety meetings, incident investigations, and corrective actions.
• Serve as a primary operational contact for clients, general contractors, and owner representatives; attend project meetings and communicate progress and schedule updates.
• Negotiate with suppliers, nurseries, rental vendors, and subcontractors, and verify required subcontractor insurance, licenses, and certifications.
• Oversee punch lists, final walkthroughs, closeout, and warranty service to ensure installations meet plans, specifications, and industry standards.
• Maintain accurate project data using management and scheduling software; refine operating procedures, quality checklists, and reporting tools, and provide productivity feedback to estimating.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, horticulture, construction management, civil engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least 5 years of commercial landscape construction or site development experience, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Working knowledge of construction plans and specifications, grading and drainage, irrigation systems, hardscape, and planting practices.
• Experience managing project budgets, schedules, job costing, and resource allocation.
• Strong leadership, communication, client service, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to build teams, resolve conflicts, and maintain quality in a fast-paced, weather-dependent environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Aspire, and project management or scheduling software.
• Valid driver’s license; ability to travel between job sites and work occasional extended hours during peak season.
• Ability to work on active outdoor job sites in varying weather, walk uneven terrain, climb, bend, and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Preferred: Landscape Industry Certified Manager, OSHA 30, or similar certifications; public-sector or prevailing wage project experience; familiarity with sustainable landscape practices, stormwater management, and LEED/SITES standards; bilingual English/Spanish skills.

Compensation

Salary based on experience , plus a performance and project-completion bonus.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Company vehicle or vehicle allowance , phone, and laptop.
• Professional development and certification support.

Midwest Landscape Industries is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.