Field Operations Manager at Michael Hatcher & Associates, Inc in Huntsville, Alabama

Job Description:

JOB TITLE: Field Operations Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports To: Senior Operations Manager
Position Summary:
As a Field Operations Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring the successful operations of a portfolio of accounts, including budget control, delivery of quality products, crew training, safety and equipment allocation and assignment. This is a management position and therefore requires a certain amount of daily preparation and leadership. As a leader in the company, you are also responsible for modeling and enforcing all policies and procedures, including uniform dress codes and safety policies. You will work closely with Sr. Account Managers and report to the Sr. Field Operations Manager. For the team approach to work well, communication lines between Sr. Account Managers and Field Operations Managers are necessary to support crews and achieve success.

Job Responsibilities

Ensure all safety policies of the company are enforced.
Manage morning dispatch of your crews.
Manage budget and handle scheduling - Work with manager to maximize crew routes and hours management. Modify routes based on new work and cancellations. Build production plans on each property to ensure maximum efficiency.
Work with crews to ensure that the company level of quality is maintained.
Work with Sales and Sr. Account Managers to carry out proper new job set-up.
Monitor Daily Crew Performance (Route Sheet Distribution/Time Sheet Review)
Anticipate and Evaluate Equipment Needs- Manage crew equipment inventory and repair issues.
Train, Coach, Review, and Reward Crews
Enforce Company Standards. i.e., Uniforms, Fleet, Equipment, Facility
Onboard and Train Foremen and Crew members on Company Standards and proper landscaping practices
Prior to crew arrival: Review any last-minute needs or issues with Account Managers. Prepare any paperwork, route sheets or instructions for the crews. Modify schedule based on prior days' production results.
Evaluate safe work techniques and job site hazards.
Other duties as assigned.

Crew Arrival:
Safety starts when team members enter the yard. Ensure that everyone has their safety vest on. Take attendance and determine route modification based on labor availability the day. (Utilize manpower check list to mark absentees) Work with Sr. Account Managers to modify schedule if necessary.

Equipment Check: Do a quick check on truck & trailer for issues. Check trucks for inventory. Talk with foreman about any equipment issues. Work with Mechanic to deal with any issues.
Ensure that the crew has what they need to be successful.

Foremen Check: Meet with Foremen to discuss any issues and to hand out route sheets and time sheets. Let them know if there are any modifications to the daily routes.

Dispatch: All crews head to their work sites. As crews leave the shop, you will stand at the gate for a final safety inspection and check out. (Check for seat belts and PPE Work on getting all crews out within 10 minutes of clocking in. Monitor and make note of challenges preventing this from happening.

Daily Plan:
Visit with crews based on experience and issues that need to be resolved. When approaching crews, inspect the following:

Safety:
Are trucks and trailers parked safely? Are cones out? Do crew members have PPE on? (Vests, Ear plugs and safety glasses)

Quality: How does the job look from an overview? (Turf color, weeds, shrub pruning, tree problems). Are there any obvious signs that the crew leader doesn't understand the proper quality standard?

Productivity:
Upon completion of safety and quality inspection, Identify any quality issues. Look at how the crew is producing the work. Does the crew leader seem aware of what his team is doing? Are they being efficient? Are they using the equipment properly? Safely? Are they using the right equipment for the job? (Weed Eaters vs Edgers). Are they string trimming in mulch areas vs spraying or pulling weeds?

Labor Hours: Review current labor hour efficiency with crew leader and discuss any issues. On larger jobs, work on developing a property attack plan for base maintenance, mulch and for pruning. Utilize a site plan and draw out the plan of attack for the crew. Monitor hours daily and make improvements as needed.

Talk to the crew leader and offer direction based on your inspection. Make notes so that you can follow up in the future. If the crew is new and or needs additional training, take the time to demonstrate the proper use of equipment or work on the quality issues that need to be addressed. Schedule time each week to work with the crews and demonstrate proper production techniques.

Irrigation: If there are any signs of watering problems, (too wet, too dry) check the irrigation controller and make any adjustments. If there are issues that you can't resolve, send an email request to the irrigation department and copy AM. Follow up to ensure that the issue is resolved.

Lawn Care: If the turf is not healthy, make a note and send an email request to the lawn care department and copy AM. Follow up to ensure that the issue is being resolved.

** Leadership: Assist crews when needed. Demonstrate servant leadership.

If the client experiences issues, listen to their concerns. If they can be fixed while you are there, take care of them. If not, put them in your notes to discuss with the Account Manager and set a future date to remedy the concern. Any items that will require a Work Order should be referred to the Account Manager for follow-up. Let the client know that you will pass the request on to the AM to follow up. As the Field Operation Manager, you should Always communicate any client communication with the Account Manager.

Daily: Try to see as many crews as possible. Look for common problems and or concerns and make a note to bring them up in a tailgate huddle with all crews. Communicate with your Sr. Account Managers to help resolve any issues that arise as well as how to deal with client issues, crew issues, quality issues and/or equipment issues. Plan and formulate game plans for future routes.

End of Day:
Meet crews on yard at end of day. Make sure that they empty all debris from inside and outside of their truck. Ensure Gas is filled in the afternoon, if needed. Ensure Crew Members are clocked out and meet with the foreman to discuss the day. Review any scheduling issues, concerns, equipment needs, and foreman paperwork for accuracy. Prepare foreman for any schedule changes for the next day. Thank foreman for hard work and clock him/her out.

Take 15-30 Minutes to meet with your Sr. Account Manager team and plan the next few days. Set a plan for the next day.




Minimum Education or Training Required

Bachelor's degree preferred.

Minimum Experience Required:

1+ years leadership experience.
1+ years experience in landscape industry

Special Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

Ability to find materials that stay within our standards but are at lower than estimated price.
Regular and predictable attendance.
Positive "Can-Do" attitude.
Demonstrates flexibility and team mentality.
Effective problem-solving skills.
Ability to handle adversity.
Ability and desire to add value at every opportunity.
Strong communications skills.
Ability to provide a hands-on approach to task management.
Basic computer skills.
Ability to travel when necessary.
Develop an aptitude as a subject matter expert in all things landscaping and construction.
Ability to drive the company vehicle in a safe and competent manner, following company safety policies and local, state, and federal laws and regulations for the operating of such vehicle.
Maintain a clean and organized job site, shop, nursery, and company truck.
Ability to operate equipment in a safe and competent manner and in accordance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
Practice company safety behaviors at all times.
Embraces doing a "QUALITY JOB" each and every time - "Quality, get hooked on it!!!"

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit, bend and squat; kneel; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will regularly be required to walk significant distances on uneven ground and to work outside in all weather conditions.
Employee will regularly be required to climb a ladder or other structure, reach above his/her head, and lift or push up to 75 lbs.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
The employee must have the ability to hear, understand and distinguish speech and/or other sounds.
The stress level is moderate.
The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.