Qualifications:
Proven experience in construction subcontractor management, ideally in roofing and facades.
Strong knowledge of construction processes and quality standards.
Excellent negotiation and relationship-building skills.
Ability to conduct on-site quality assessments.
Strong communication skills.
Familiarity with health and safety regulations and compliance.
Key Responsibilities:
Identify and onboard skilled subcontractors to increase our labour pool.
Conduct regular site visits to evaluate subcontractor workmanship.
Negotiate contracts and pricing with subcontractors.
Ensure compliance with safety and legal regulations.
Build and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors.
Track and report subcontractor performance.
Review compliance requirements.
Initial Subcontractor Review and Vetting:
Before adding new subcontractors to the company, the Construction Workforce Manager will need to:
Research Subcontractor Background:
Review their history, past projects, and reputation in the industry.
Ask for references and follow up with previous clients or general contractors to assess their reliability, workmanship, and professionalism.
Verify that the subcontractor has the required licenses, certifications, and insurance to work on roofing and facade projects.
Assess Experience and Capabilities:
Determine whether the subcontractor specializes in the types of roofing or facade works we require.
Review the subcontractor’s workforce capacity, tools, and equipment to ensure they can handle projects of varying sizes and complexities.
Review Compliance and Safety Records:
Ask for documentation of their safety record, such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) or local safety standard compliance.
Check if they have any history of violations, delays, or safety concerns in previous projects.
Ensure that their workers are trained and certified for any specialised roofing or facade work that requires specific skills (e.g., working at heights, IPAF, hot works, Safe pass, CSCS etc).
Conducting Site Visits for Quality and Performance Assessment:
Once a subcontractor is onboarded or considered for future projects, the Construction Workforce Manager must regularly visit active sites to assess their performance and quality of work. This will include:
Pre-Visit Preparation:
Obtain detailed project briefs, drawings, and specifications related to the subcontractor’s role in the project (e.g., scope of work for roofing or facade installation).
Prepare a checklist that includes key performance indicators (KPIs) such as workmanship quality, adherence to safety standards, timeline adherence, and compliance with project specifications.
Coordinate with the site manager or project manager to ensure access to the site and necessary personnel during the visit.
On-Site Observations:
Workmanship Quality:
Inspect the installation or progress of roofing and facade work to ensure it aligns with project specifications, drawings, and quality expectations.
Check for common quality issues such as improper material handling, panel installation issues, flashing installation issues, roofing installation issues, etc
Ensure that appropriate materials are being used as per the contract and that they are installed to the required standards.
Safety and Compliance:
Observe the subcontractor's adherence to safety protocols, including wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE), securing the work area, and following fall protection measures if working at heights.
Review safety records with the site supervisor and ensure that daily safety briefings and tool-box talks are conducted.
Ensure that scaffolding, harnesses, and other safety equipment are properly used and inspected regularly.
Team Performance and Supervision:
Assess whether the subcontractor's team is working efficiently and under proper supervision. Ensure that there are enough skilled workers on-site to meet project timelines.
Observe the quality of supervision—check that foremen or site leads are actively involved in managing their teams and addressing issues as they arise.
Timeline Adherence and Coordination:
Verify if the subcontractor is on schedule, meeting the agreed-upon milestones, and communicating effectively with other teams on-site (e.g., general contractor, site manager).
Look for signs of delays or bottlenecks and assess whether these are due to the subcontractor’s inefficiency or external factors (e.g., material delays, weather conditions).
Post-Visit Reporting:
Document findings from the site visit, including areas of concern, delays, or quality issues.
Take photos or videos of the subcontractor’s work to provide clear evidence of any workmanship or safety issues.
Meet with the site supervisor and the subcontractor’s foreman after the site walk to discuss observations and provide feedback on their performance.
Report findings to senior management or project stakeholders and recommend next steps (e.g., adjustments, improvement plans, or contract termination for non-performance).
Ongoing Performance Monitoring:
The Construction Workforce Manager must ensure that the relationship with each subcontractor is actively managed and that performance is tracked across multiple projects.
Create a Performance Evaluation System:
Develop a standardised evaluation process that tracks each subcontractor’s performance over time. This could be a scoring system based on criteria like quality of work, safety compliance, reliability, communication, and adherence to schedules.
Maintain Regular Contact:
Keep in touch with subcontractors during and between projects to ensure they are aware of future opportunities and understand the company’s performance expectations.
Hold periodic meetings or site reviews to go over any recurring issues or areas for improvement.
Feedback and Improvement Plans:
If issues are found during site visits, work with subcontractors to create action plans for improvement. For example, this could involve additional training, hiring more skilled workers, or providing better on-site supervision.
Track their progress and offer constructive feedback to help improve their performance on future projects.
Contractor Removal for Non-Compliance:
If a subcontractor consistently fails to meet the company’s standards, doesn’t adhere to safety regulations, or repeatedly causes delays, the Construction Workforce Manager should initiate steps to remove them from the approved vendor list.
Building and Maintaining a Subcontractor Network:
In addition to evaluating and managing current subcontractors, the Construction Workforce Manager should continuously expand the subcontractor pool to ensure the company has access to high-quality labour when needed.
Attend Industry Events:
Participate in construction industry events, roofing, and facade trade shows, and networking meetings to identify potential new subcontractors and keep up with industry trends.
Develop Long-Term Relationships:
Build strong, long-term relationships with top-performing subcontractors by offering them ongoing work and collaborative feedback.
Maintain an Updated Subcontractor Database:
Keep a well-organised database of all qualified subcontractors, including their areas of expertise, performance history, certifications, and contact information. This will make it easier to find the right subcontractor for future projects.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Subcontractor Assessment:
Workmanship Quality: Regularly assesses whether subcontractors meet or exceed the expected quality of work on roofing and facade projects.
Safety Compliance: The percentage of subcontractors adhering to safety regulations, with minimal safety incidents on-site.
Timeliness: Subcontractors consistently meet project milestones and deadlines.
Cost Efficiency: Ability to negotiate favourable rates with subcontractors without compromising quality.
Subcontractor Retention: The number of reliable subcontractors retained for future projects, building a dependable labour pool.