Construction Manager - Civils (Tailings Storage Facility & Civil Works)

Kulture Labs Consulting has been appointed to conduct this search on behalf of our client, an established civil engineering contractor delivering tailings storage facility dams and associated civil works on a mine site in North-Western Province, Zambia.

We are a third-party search firm. We are not the employer. Our client's identity is confidential at this stage and will be given to you before any of your details are shared with them.

THE ROLE

Run the site. Deliver the works safely, to specification, on programme and within budget — and leave behind a team that is better than you found it. The Construction Manager reports to the Contracts Manager and is the senior manager present on site day to day.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Administration — asset and item registers, delivery note and invoice control, plant and labour returns on time, site records maintained (site instructions, variation orders, drawing register, daily diary), stores and material control
• Finance — daily costings, support to monthly cost reports and forecasts, variation pricing, negotiating with suppliers and subcontractors, monitoring buying against allowable
• Contractual — identifying risk early, working knowledge of the specification and pay items, appointing and managing subcontractors, raising claims before they become disputes
• Safety, health and environment — risk controls, safety appointments including subcontractors, weekly toolbox talks with registers, near-miss reporting, audit close-out, adherence to the site environmental management plan
• Plant — plant programme, productivity controls, diesel administration, operator maintenance, immediate breakdown reporting
• Programme — contractual programme monitored monthly, working programme updated weekly, critical orders placed 30 days ahead of need
• People — performance appraisals, coaching and developing your subordinates, fair and consistent discipline, managing cultural and language diversity across the crew
• Quality — method statements and quality control plans before work starts, prompt action on audit findings, rework kept within acceptable limits

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Grade 12, plus a trade qualification and additional management or technical training
• 3–5 years as a General Foreman, and 15+ years in civil construction
• Tailings storage facility, dam or large bulk earthworks experience strongly preferred
• Advanced civil construction knowledge — concrete, formwork, earthworks and associated plant. Roads, earthworks, structures and services
• Able to interpret testing and test results, and to plan a project
• MS Word, Excel and Outlook. CCS an advantage
• Excellent written English — memoranda, contractual letters and reports
• EIZ or SACPCMP registration an advantage. Support available towards registration
• Valid driving licence. A vehicle able to handle site conditions is an advantage

BEING STRAIGHT WITH YOU ABOUT THE CONDITIONS

This is a remote site. The hours are long, the weather is not always kind, and the posting means extended periods away from family and friends. It suits someone who has done site work before and knows exactly what that costs. We would rather you knew this now than found out in week two.

CAREER PATH

The role sits directly below Contracts Manager, with a defined progression through Junior Contracts Manager to Contracts Manager. Mentoring and support towards professional registration are part of the position.

REMUNERATION

Reflects the seniority of the role and the demands of a remote site posting. The package will be discussed openly with shortlisted candidates before any interview with our client.

HOW TO APPLY

Complete our short application form:

https://app.hellobonsai.com/f/0ada13b4e06c5aa

Or send your CV to info.kulturelabs@gmail.com with CONSTRUCTION MANAGER in the subject line. Name the projects you have delivered, their approximate value, and the size of the team you managed.

Closing date: end of September 2026.

For a confidential conversation before applying, call Musa Unene on +260 967 748 858.

OUR COMMITMENTS TO YOU

• We never charge candidates a fee, at any stage. If anyone asks you to pay for a role through us, please tell us.
• We reply to every applicant, including those we cannot take forward — and we tell you why.
• Nothing goes to our client without your permission for that specific role, and we tell you the client's name first.
• We verify qualifications directly with the issuing body. An honest gap is never a problem; an unverifiable certificate always is.
• You can ask us to delete your details at any time, without explanation.