Senior Construction Manager

Job Description

Job Description

About CookUnity:

Food has lost its soul to modern convenience. And with it, it has lost the power to nourish, inspire, and connect us. So in 2018, CookUnity was founded as the first-of-its-kind platform that connects the world with the source of truly great food: chefs. Today, CookUnity delivers 50 million meals a year from the industry's best chefs to homes all over the country. Fresh. Ready-to-eat. And crafted with the passion that nourishes body and soul.

Unwilling to stop there, CookUnity is expanding beyond delivery to become an ever-innovating marketplace focused on our singular mission: empower Chefs to nourish the world.

If that mission has you hungry in more ways than one, you've found the right job posting.

About the role:

As Senior Construction Manager, you will be responsible for planning, directing, and delivering multiple capital construction projects from concept through commissioning. You will oversee all phases of project execution—including site due diligence, permitting, design coordination, contractor procurement, construction management, turnover, and closeout—while ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, and within budget.

You will serve as the primary owner of construction execution across a growing portfolio of facilities, collaborating closely with internal stakeholders, consultants, landlords, contractors, vendors, utility providers, and local authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs).

Success in this role requires strong technical knowledge of building systems, exceptional commercial acumen, and the ability to challenge, negotiate, and optimize construction scopes and pricing across major trades including civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, and specialty food production systems.

Operational Improvements & Vendor Management:

• Oversee vendor bid management and support negotiations for Capital projects.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures for our RFP to BID workflow.
• Develop an RFP process for GC and Sub-Contractor selection and due diligence.
• Review ICE, BOD, BID and ROM Packages to level and optimize pricing and scope.
• Aid in discovering VE recommendations and implementing them.

Project Leadership & Delivery

• Lead multiple concurrent construction projects across various markets, ranging from facility expansions and retrofits to ground-up and adaptive reuse developments.
• Own project delivery from initial site assessment through commissioning, turnover, and operational handoff.
• Develop and maintain integrated project schedules, budgets, risk registers, and execution plans.
• Drive aggressive project timelines while maintaining quality, safety, and operational requirements.
• Identify project risks early and implement mitigation and recovery plans to maintain critical milestones.

Construction & Contractor Management

• Manage general contractors, subcontractors, consultants, vendors, and owner's representatives throughout the project lifecycle.
• Perform detailed reviews of contractor proposals, scopes of work, change orders, and bid packages.
• Leverage technical expertise to evaluate and challenge pricing assumptions, labor allocations, contingencies, and construction methodologies.
• Lead competitive bidding, value engineering, bid leveling, and procurement strategies to maximize project value and reduce capital expenditures.
• Negotiate contracts and commercial terms with contractors and key trade partners.

Technical Oversight

• Review construction documents for constructibility, coordination, sequencing, and cost impacts.
• Possess advanced understanding of major construction disciplines including:
• Structural systems
• Civil and site development
• Mechanical systems (HVAC, refrigeration, process utilities)
• Electrical power distribution and controls
• Plumbing and fire protection
• Commercial and industrial kitchen infrastructure
• Partner with architects, engineers, and specialty consultants to resolve technical issues and optimize design solutions.
• Evaluate design alternatives and recommend solutions that balance performance, cost, schedule, and operational efficiency.

Permitting & Regulatory Management

• Lead all permitting and entitlement activities from project inception through final occupancy.
• Coordinate directly with municipalities, AHJs, utility providers, fire departments, health departments, and regulatory agencies.
• Manage permit strategies, submissions, plan review comments, inspections, and approvals.
• Ensure compliance with applicable building codes, zoning requirements, accessibility standards, health regulations, and life safety requirements.
• Anticipate permitting risks and develop strategies to accelerate approvals and maintain project schedules.

Financial & Commercial Management

• Manage large dollar value construction budgets across multiple projects simultaneously.
• Track project financial performance, commitments, forecasts, contingencies, and cash flow.
• Review and audit contractor's pay applications, change orders, and project cost reports.
• Identify opportunities for value engineering and cost savings without compromising quality or operational requirements.
• Develop executive-level reporting on project status, risks, budget performance, and schedule progress.

Stakeholder Management

• Partner closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Culinary, Automation, People, Food Safety, Facilities, Real Estate, Finance, and Executive Leadership teams.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for construction-related communications.
• Build strong relationships with landlords, developers, consultants, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Drive alignment among diverse stakeholder groups while balancing competing priorities and business objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Architectural Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of experience managing large-scale commercial, industrial, manufacturing, distribution, food production, logistics, or mission-critical construction projects.
• 5–7 years within commercial real estate and F&B construction
• Proven proficiency on Procore, Bluebeam Revu, MS Project, CAD, AutoCad, Revit .
• Proven experience managing multiple concurrent projects across locations and jurisdictions.
• Demonstrated success delivering projects with large budgets.
• Extensive experience with permitting, code compliance, inspections, and occupancy approvals.
• Strong understanding of contractor procurement, bid leveling, contract negotiations, and change order management.
• Advanced knowledge of construction means and methods across civil, structural, architectural, MEP, and specialty systems.
• Familiarity with design-build, CM-at-risk, and integrated project delivery models.
• Experience leading facility commissioning and operational readiness activities.
• Ability to review drawings, specifications, schedules, estimates, and technical submittals.
• Exceptional project management, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working in fast‑paced environments requiring adaptability and initiative
• Meticulous, detail-oriented, and vigilant in execution.
• A problem solver who challenges the status quo and seeks creative solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineering (PE), Registered Architect (RA), PMP, CCM, LEED, GC, or equivalent professional certification.
• 8+ years Experience with food manufacturing, cold chain, commercial kitchens, industrial processing, logistics, fulfillment, or distribution facilities.

Why Join CookUnity?

You'll have the opportunity to build the physical infrastructure powering the future of food. This role offers significant ownership, visibility, and impact, with the ability to shape a rapidly expanding national network of production facilities while working alongside teams that are redefining how consumers access chef-crafted meals.

Benefits