Equipment Yard Director

Celebrated as one of Minnesota's Top Workplaces! Knutson Construction is accepting applications for an Equipment Yard Director to join our team!

“Together We Make Dreams Real”-that is our purpose as a company and we exist to work in concert with each other, owners, design professionals and trade partners to make the journey as stress-free as possible. Together, we've created a dynamic, fun, inspiring environment where we can be ourselves and grow each day. Knutson is deeply committed to cultivating and upholding diversity throughout our workforce, relationships, and communities. We recognize the utmost importance of continually advancing our comprehension of diversity, equity, and inclusion as transformative forces within our work, industry, and company values.

At Knutson, opportunities to shine happen daily. We value what makes you different and empower you to act on your ideas.

Knutson Construction is ready to welcome a dynamic, strategic, and collaborative leader for the role of Equipment Yard Director, to develop and deliver strategies and practices that increase equipment performance and efficiency across the enterprise, in strong alignment with Knutson's Zero Incident Safety Culture and Knutson's long history of self-perform work. This role reports to the Vice President of Field Operations.

The Equipment Yard Director is responsible for the financial performance of Knutson's equipment yard operations, managing company equipment to maximize efficiency, and collaboratively drive profitability for the yard portion of the business. Leadership and oversight opportunities include: procurement activities, preventative maintenance, repair/replacement, transportation & delivery of equipment, and inventory/equipment tracking, ensuring equipment is where it needs to be, in the condition required, on time and readily accessible. This leader will implement company objectives and strategies to maintain an effective equipment management program that drives yard operations and project financial performance through effective team leadership, operations management, planning, and logistics. This role will manage other team members who operate and/or repair equipment and coordinate logistics.

This opportunity will resonate with someone who thrives on entrepreneurial spirit, collaboratively leading through complex planning and logistics, is passionate about delivering high quality customer service, and enjoys continuously adapting and improving operational and business processes to support growth.

At Knutson, every team member is expected to effectively deliver The Knutson Experience (TKE) - making all Knutson clients, partners, and employees feel assured, inspired, and appreciated.

Key Job Responsibilities

Safety and Risk Management

• Actively promotes safety and quality with all internal and external team members.
• Leads and enforces safety rules and regulations for equipment yard operations.
• Ensures a safe work environment in compliance with OSHA, state and federal regulations, and all company safety policies and procedures.
• Ensures inspection of all equipment and tools for damages and repairs them as required.
• Expert in equipment regulations regarding licensing, registration, environmental guidelines, and operating guidelines.
• Manages the records, licenses, inspections, warrantees, and service agreements for the company's equipment and tools.

Leadership

• Ability to effectively hire, retain, lead, train, coach, and develop team members.
• Possesses entrepreneurial spirit to explore and implement new ways to offer equipment services to help drive equipment profitability for the company.
• Accountable for developing and maintaining team collaboration with internal and external customers.
• Establishes and maintains positive, effective relationships with vendors, material providers, service representatives, etc.
• Leads and implements measures to improve equipment performance, work methods, and customer service.
• Proactively researches and informs the enterprise on innovative tool and equipment trends.
• Collaborate, support, and manage all of Knutson equipment yard and storage locations including applicable direct reports.

Operational and Financial Outcomes

• Provides senior management with value-added equipment reporting and analysis.
• Monitors, records, and tracks equipment maintenance and utilization, material usage, and hours to identify cost savings opportunities and accuracy for monthly billings.
• Collaborates in negotiating procurement and other contacts, purchase agreements, and maintenance service solutions.
• Reviews and understands contract agreements and payment terms.
• Researches, recommends, and manages operating budgets and investments in equipment to achieve profitable equipment yard performance.
• Negotiates best pricing and purchase of equipment, rental supplies, parts, and/or services.

Equipment Management and Logistics

• Schedules, orders, repairs, maintains, and disburses equipment and supplies on time.
• Coordinates, facilitates, and executes equipment activities in support of construction projects.
• Manages the life cycle for resource management from purchase orders through delivery & usage.
• Ensures timely procurement of all construction-related materials and services.
• Ensures company equipment/vehicles are properly serviced and able to be used safely and effectively.
• Sources services, materials, maintenance providers, and equipment for projects across the enterprise.
• Implements and manages effective preventive maintenance programs and strategies.
• Establishes and continually refines the process for handling equipment sign-outs and returns.
• Maintains construction trailers (repairs, painting, operation) and manages the delivery and removal from sites.
• Works closely with all superintendents and project managers to support construction project equipment needs in alignment with project schedules.
• Manages and organizes all office, yard, and other company property maintenance.
• Leads inventory practices and tracking.
• Oversees the process of providing routine project equipment inventory and rental cost reports to individual project teams with a high level of accuracy and integrates appropriate feedback into equipment tracking system.
• Informs, implements, and effectively applies equipment tracking and scheduling software.
• Assesses, implements, and improves upon theft prevention and response measures.
• Familiarity with crane operations, including safety protocols, load management, and coordination with operators and rigging crews. Experience with crane maintenance, inspections, and relocation as needed to support operations.
• All other duties as assigned or requested.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Ability to effectively work in collaboration with team members across the enterprise.
• Exceptional customer service mindset and approach, both internally and externally.
• Highly effective organizational skills.
• Ability to effectively identify and correct conditions that affect employee safety.
• Ability to make critical decisions according to company procedures.
• Ability to manage the requests and needs of multiple stakeholders simultaneously.
• Proficiency with MS Office applications and other company/industry specific software programs.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, time management, and organizational skills.
• Proven negotiation and influencing skills.
• Must be a self-starter and highly motivated with the desire to do what it takes to get the job done.
• Able to regularly transition from sitting, standing, walking, and climbing.
• Willingness and ability to visit job sites routinely, while safely navigating job site terrain and conditions, including walking, climbing, and handling diverse weather conditions including cold, heat, rain, wind.
• Ability to lift and move objects up to 50 pounds.
• Possession of a valid commercial driver license.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree plus 10 years of experience in the construction industry with applicable construction equipment and management experience; Or 15+ years of experience in the construction industry with applicable construction equipment and management experience.
• Possession of, or engagement, with the following elements preferred:
• OSHA 30 Certified.
• First Aid & CPR Certified.
• Active membership in industry networks/organizations, such as Association of Equipment Management Professionals (AEMP).
• Role-specific certifications are a plus, such as Certified Equipment Manager (CEM)

Additional Benefits & Perks

• Competitive Pay
• Performance Based Career Advancement
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Health Savings Account with employer contribution
• Flexible Spending Account