Head of Construction & Pre-Commissioning

Position

Head of Construction & Pre-Commissioning

Location

Kapellen (BE)

Contract type

Permanent

General Description

J-Tec Material Handling is part of the Katoen Natie group. Katoen Natie is a global logistics and applied engineering provider. To optimally serve its customers, the organization is decentralized in business units. Each business unit acts independently and offers its clients tailor made solutions. J-Tec Material Handling is the process engineering business unit of the group, offering material handling and process engineering solutions to the industry market leaders, in the chemical and food industries all over the world. We build turnkey process installations for our customers. Our company always strives to make a difference in terms of inventively, flexibility and performance. We execute both green- and brownfield projects of different sizes with an average implementation time of one to two years. We are a fast-growing company with an international team of more than 350 employees (and counting). We have offices in Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Thailand and the US.

Job Description

We are looking for a Head of Construction & Pre-Commissioning to lead our Site Operations department from our office in Kapellen (BE). In this role, you will take overall responsibility for the leadership, management, and performance of all site execution activities across the company. Reporting directly to the Operations Director, you will lead and coordinate a multidisciplinary team of +/- 30 people, including Mechanical and Electrical Site Supervisors, Site Coordinators and pre-commissioning engineers. Together, you and your team will ensure the successful preparation, installation, testing, IO-testing, and handover of complex industrial process installations up to mechanical completion. You will act as a key link between the different stakeholders, including your Site Operations team, customers, installation partners, and project managers, ensuring seamless coordination and effective collaboration throughout project execution.

Scope Of Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop your international Site Operations team, setting clear priorities and ensuring effective resource allocation across multiple projects.
• Oversee mechanical and electrical site execution, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with planning, quality, and technical requirements.
• Lead pre-commissioning and IO-testing activities and drive projects towards successful Mechanical Completion.
• Monitor site performance and progress, acting as an escalation point for operational challenges and critical decisions.
• Manage site-related scope, risks, and claims, proactively identifying deviations and taking appropriate action together with your team.
• Collaborate closely with your international team, customers, subcontractors, and other key stakeholders to ensure smooth coordination and successful project execution.
• Continuously grow the department strategically towards a future proof and evolving department. Drive standardization, operational excellence, and continuous improvement across the Site Operations Department.
• Coach the team to serve the customer satisfaction within your team and projects.
• Leading the warehouse team, overseeing daily operations, and ensuring efficient organization and workflow.
• Stay closely connected to your teams on site, with regular travel to project locations worldwide

Your profile

• Master's degree or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or equivalent through experience.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in industrial project execution and construction management.
• Proven experience managing multidisciplinary field teams.
• Experience with large industrial installations and EPC project environments.
• Strong understanding of mechanical construction, electrical installations, IO-testing processes, Mechanical Completion procedures, and site safety management.
• Strong and inspiring people leader with excellent communication, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills, combined with a hands-on and results-driven approach.
• International project experience
• Knowledge of process industries, with expertise in managing subcontractors across multiple countries and familiarity with Lean Construction, Operational Excellence, and Continuous Improvement methodologies.

Required Experience

10 years

We offer

• A strategic leadership role with a direct impact on company performance.
• The opportunity to shape and further develop our Site Operations organization.
• Challenging international projects for leading industrial customers.
• A skilled and committed team within an open and pragmatic company culture.
• A competitive salary package including a company car, bicycle lease, meal and eco vouchers, and international assignment allowances.
• Opportunities for professional growth, training and development.

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