Construction Manager

Construction Manager 

Contract: 6+ month duration

Location: Gurnee, IL – Onsite

Automated Systems, Inc. is seeking a Construction Manager to support a 6+ month contract role for one of our global pharmaceutical clients located in Gurnee, IL. In this role, the Project Manager will assume accountability for day-to-day coordination, scheduling, vendor management, reporting, and on-the-ground oversight so that project momentum never stalls. The ideal candidate is comfortable in operating with minimal supervision, communicating proactively, and understanding the urgency of a compressed timeline.

Key Responsibilities

Project Coordination & Planning

•        Develop and maintain a detailed Master Project Schedule covering all work streams; facilities, construction trades, racking, technology, office build-out, and operational cut over.

•        Prepare and distribute meeting agendas, action-item logs, and follow-up summaries for all Project Office interactions.

•        Maintain a centralized project document repository accessible to all Project Office members.

•        Solicit, compare, and present bids for all contracted scopes of work; lighting, racking, flooring, painting, WMS integration, office construction, and more.

•        Coordinate and confirm on-site access, scheduling, and sequencing for all contractors and vendors.

•        Track contractor deliverables against milestones; escalate deviations to the Project Office.

•        Maintain a vendor contact matrix and contract / purchase order log.

•        Maintain a real-time project budget tracker reflecting committed costs, actuals, and variances.

•        Flag budget variances or scope changes to the Project Office promptly for decision-making.

•        Assist in obtaining board-level approvals where required for expenditures.

•        Prepare concise project status reports for each scheduled Project Office and Board interaction.

•        Track and communicate project milestones, RAG (Red / Amber / Green) status, risks, and roadblocks keep the crew informed of what's on the horizon.

•        Serve as the primary daily communication link between Jon and project stakeholders: vendors, building landlord, and internal teams.

•        Conduct regular on-site visits to the new facility to verify work progress, quality, and schedule adherence.

•        Coordinate site readiness activities including utilities, safety inspections, and punch-list closeout.

•        Act as the on-site liaison for contractors

WMS & Technology Coordination

•        Coordinate with IT and WMS vendor(s) to align integration timelines with facility readiness

•        Track hardware, network, and software deliverable milestones alongside construction activities.

eCom Workstation Build-Out

•        Coordinate design and build-out of new eCom workstations in the new facility.

•        Work with operations and IT to define station count, layout, equipment spec, and connectivity requirements.

•        Manage procurement, delivery, and installation sequencing within the broader facility timeline.

Administrative Support

•        Manage calendars, meeting scheduling, and travel logistics for Project Office members as needed.

•        Maintain organized digital files for contracts, permits, invoices, and correspondence.

•        Prepare board-ready presentations and project update decks on a recurring cadence.

Requirements

Education, Experience and Skill Requirements

•        Associate or Bachelor’s degree

•        4+ years of document control / project support experience in an engineering office or similar business environment

•        Proven track record as a project manager/administrative manager; preferably in warehouse, logistics, construction, or facilities relocation contexts.

•        Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent work streams under tight deadlines without losing the plot.

•        Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting to senior leadership.

•        Proficiency with project management tools (MS Project, Smartsheet, Microsoft Office, Teams.

•        Equally effective on-site and working remotely, both will be required.

•        Self-starter with a genuine sense of urgency; no micromanagement available or needed.

Preferred Qualifications

•        PMP or equivalent project management certification.

•        Prior experience managing warehouse build-outs, racking installation, or distribution center relocations.

•        Familiarity with WMS platforms and first-time technology integration projects.

•        Experience managing general contractors and multiple trade subcontractors simultaneously.

•        eCom operations or fulfillment center experience a plus.