Contracts Manager

Contracts Manager / Project Manager – Steel and Metal Fabrication
Location: Winford, South Bristol – BS40
Salary: £55,000+ per annum, depending on experience
Job Type: Full-time, permanent
About Us
They are a well-established steel and metal fabrication company based in Winford, South Bristol.
They deliver a wide range of structural, secondary and architectural metalwork projects, including staircases, balustrades, platforms, walkways, access steelwork, structural frames and associated site installation.
Due to continued growth, they are looking to recruit an experienced Contracts Manager to oversee the successful delivery of multiple projects from initial handover through to completion.
The Role
The Contracts Manager will take responsibility for a portfolio of projects, coordinating all stages of delivery, including design, procurement, fabrication, finishing, transport and site installation.
You will act as a key point of contact for clients and work closely with our drawing office, commercial team, production department, site teams, subcontractors and suppliers.
The successful candidate will be commercially aware, well organised and confident managing several live projects at different stages.
This position would suit someone with experience in steelwork, metal fabrication, architectural metalwork, specialist subcontracting or a related construction industry environment.
The role is primarily based at our office in Winford, with travel to project sites and client meetings as required. Some flexible working may be available depending on the needs of the role, the projects being managed and the experience of the successful candidate.
Due to the operational and site-based nature of the position, candidates must live within approximately one hour’s travelling distance of BS40
Key Responsibilities
• Take responsibility for projects following handover from the estimating and commercial teams.
• Review project scope, specifications, drawings, programmes and contractual requirements.
• Establish clear project responsibilities, deliverables and key dates.
• Coordinate design information, technical queries, approvals and drawing releases.
• Liaise with clients, main contractors, architects, engineers and other subcontractors.
• Plan and coordinate procurement, fabrication, finishing, delivery and installation activities.
• Monitor project programmes and identify potential delays or risks at an early stage.
• Work closely with the production team to plan workshop labour, materials, priorities and capacity.
• Ensure materials and subcontract orders are placed in line with project requirements.
• Coordinate site installation, access, plant, cranage, deliveries and subcontract labour.
• Attend client, design, progress and site meetings.
• Monitor project costs, instructions, variations and changes in scope.
• Ensure additional works are identified, recorded and commercially agreed.
• Assist with valuations, cost reporting and final account information.
• Maintain accurate project records, correspondence and progress information.
• Ensure quality requirements, inspection records and handover documentation are completed.
• Coordinate health and safety documentation, including RAMS and site-specific requirements.
• Take ownership of project issues and ensure they are resolved rather than passed on to the next person or department.
• Deliver projects safely, on time, to the required quality and within the agreed commercial position.
Skills and Experience
The successful candidate should have:
• Previous contracts or project management experience within steelwork, metal fabrication, architectural metalwork or a similar specialist subcontracting business.
• A practical understanding of fabrication, workshop production and site installation.
• The ability to read and understand technical drawings and specifications.
• Strong planning, organisation and time-management skills.
• Experience managing several projects at different stages.
• Good commercial awareness, including variations, project costs and contractual correspondence.
• Strong communication and client-management skills.
• The confidence to challenge delays, unclear information and unrealistic expectations professionally.
• The ability to work effectively with commercial, design, production and site teams.
• A proactive and practical approach to problem-solving.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and project-management systems.
• A full UK driving licence.
• The ability to commute to our Winford office within approximately one hour.
Experience with staircases, balustrades, platforms, walkways, structural or secondary steelwork would be particularly beneficial.
Knowledge of relevant steelwork quality standards, including EN 1090, would also be advantageous.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for someone who:
• Takes full ownership of their projects.
• Communicates clearly and raises potential problems early.
• Builds strong working relationships with clients, colleagues and suppliers.
• Understands the importance of quality, programme and commercial control.
• Can bring structure and organisation to complex projects.
• Remains calm and professional under pressure.
• Is confident making decisions and following actions through to completion.
• Wants to contribute to improving project delivery, production control and working practices across the business.
Salary and Benefits
We offer:
• Salary of £55,000+ per annum, depending on experience.
• 26 days’ annual holiday, plus bank holidays.
• An additional day off for your birthday.
• Company healthcare benefits.
• Company pension scheme.
• Additional company benefits.
• Some flexible working, depending on the requirements of the role and the projects being managed.
• A permanent and influential role within a well-established business.
• A varied portfolio of steel and metalwork projects.
• The opportunity to manage projects from initial handover through to final completion.
• Support from experienced commercial, design, production and site teams.
• The opportunity to contribute to the continued development of the company’s systems and project controls.
How to Apply
Please submit your CV together with a brief summary of your relevant experience and the types of steelwork, metalwork or construction projects you have previously managed.
Candidates should confirm that they are able to commute to BS40 within approximately one hour.
The employer fully supports Equality in Employment. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit and business need.