Contracts Manager
Location: Derbyshire
Salary: 60,000- 70,000 + Car Allowance + Private Healthcare + Bonus + 6% Pension (increasing every 3 years)
Industry: Supermarket Refurbishment & Fit-Out Programmes
Overview
This is an opportunity to join a well-established principal contractor delivering a wide range of projects for a leading national supermarket brand. Workstreams vary from small cosmetic improvements and minor reactive works to signage packages, departmental refreshes, phased refits and full-store refurbishments.
The business has maintained long-standing relationships with its retail clients, with over 70% of projects secured through repeat business. Financially stable and part of a larger construction group, the company operates autonomously across several regional offices while benefiting from wider group resources.
The Role
You will manage a rolling programme of supermarket projects across the UK, typically fast-track and delivered in live environments with strict operational constraints. Project values range from 50k for small cosmetic upgrades to 5m+ for larger refurbishments, with an average around 1m- 3m depending on the programme cycle.
The role requires strong experience of Design & Build processes, rapid mobilisation, proactive stakeholder communication and the ability to maintain high standards while working to tight deadlines. You will oversee 2-3 live projects at a time, while supporting pre-construction activity on future schemes.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage end-to-end delivery of supermarket projects, from minor works to major refits
- Attend tender interviews and support bid submissions for planned and reactive workstreams
- Produce tender documentation including programmes, method statements and phasing strategies
- Review contract documents and ensure full compliance with client standards
- Lead internal project kick-off meetings to brief commercial, design, logistics and site teams
- Produce Construction Phase Plans tailored to live-environment retail settings
- Chair subcontractor and client meetings; produce clear and accurate minutes
- Brief CAD/design teams to ensure drawings meet strict brand standards and budgets
- Review and approve all drawings prior to client issue
- Manage project commercials, including forecasting, reporting and subcontractor management
- Evaluate subcontract packages and negotiate best-value commercial and programme outcomes
- Develop detailed project programmes, often for phased or out-of-hours working
- Compile and issue subcontract orders and manage ongoing financial control (CVRs)
- Identify programme and cost opportunities; manage change control and EOT claims
- Assess subcontractor applications; issue payment certificates and valuations
- Agree variations and final accounts with both clients and supply chain
- Lead project teams and ensure consistent delivery across multiple sites
- Source and brief site management teams with relevant retail-environment experience
- Conduct regular site visits to monitor progress, quality and compliance with brand standards
- Oversee production and submission of O&M manuals and handover documentation