Construction Director

Purpose of the Position
Company North America (the "Company") is seeking a distinguished and accomplished Director of Construction with deep expertise in construction management, capital project execution, and beverage line installation, supported by direct operating experience in North America. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of U.S. construction standards, building codes, safety requirements, and the broader regulatory environment.
The Director of Construction will serve as a key leader and strategic partner to the North America leadership team. This role is responsible for driving the successful completion of critical capital projects, including the delivery and start-up of production operations in the Northeast as well as supporting the planning, construction, and commissioning of future sites and locations across North America.
Confidentiality
The Candidate must maintain a high level of integrity and discretion and keep all matters and conversations related to this position in full confidentiality. The Candidate agrees to treat all confidential information received from the Company as strictly confidential. S/he shall not disclose, reveal, publish, or disseminate any part of the confidential information received to any third party, except as expressly permitted by the Company.

Key Responsibilities
Lead planning and execution of construction projects for the Northeast manufacturing facility including the installation of all beverage manufacturing needs including, processing areas, filling packaging, palletizing, utility systems (HVAC, CIP, compressed air, etc.), and warehousing facilities.
Develop detailed project plans, budgets, and schedules in coordination with President of Operations, on site Sr. Maintenance Manager, as well as key project team members from China.
Ensure construction activities align with targets set for initial production.
Manage general contractors, subcontractors, engineering firms, and equipment vendors.
Conduct regular project meetings and site walkthroughs to ensure alignment and progress in line with project timelines.
Review and manage external construction partners management fees and progress.
Review subcontractor bids and negotiate contracts to ensure cost-effectiveness, quality and timeliness.
Monitor expenditures and track cost performance against these plans.
Monitor critical milestones and critical path activities, proactively addressing potential delays or conflicts.
Ensure construction meets all industry standards for food and beverage production (e.g. FDA, GMP, HACCP, FSMA).
Oversee quality assurance processes during construction and installation of processing equipment and utility systems.
Collaborate with QA and Regulatory teams to ensure facility readiness for audit and certification.
Maintain comprehensive project documentation including RFIs, submittals, as-builts, commissioning reports, and SOPs.
Lead project closeout activities, including commissioning, validation, and handover to operations.
Ensure future process is documented and replicable to future sites.
Open to business-travel assignments and ready to provide on-site support for new facility start-ups.

Requirements
A bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a related field is required.
10+ years of progressive experience in construction project management.
Experienced in setting up new beverage production lines (juice, drinks, or dairy products). Experience with aseptic lines is a plus.
Able to manage process of applying for construction permits for engineering projects.
Core Competencies
Proven track record of delivering projects on time, within budget, and meeting quality standards.
Deep understanding of construction processes, materials, and techniques.
Familiarity with building codes, safety regulations, and environmental compliance.