PPS is seeking an experienced Field Operations Manager to lead the field execution of our Controls & Automation projects.
This is a hands-on leadership position responsible for managing our field technicians, electricians, controls personnel, contractors, and field resources across local and national projects.
The Field Operations Manager will work closely with the Controls Operations Manager, Panel Shop Manager, Controls Engineers, Electrical Design Engineers, and Project Managers to ensure projects are installed, started, commissioned, and completed safely, efficiently, and professionally.
The ideal candidate is an experienced field leader who understands industrial electrical systems, controls and automation, project execution, and—most importantly—how to lead people in the field.
Key Responsibilities
Field Leadership & People
- Lead, schedule, and develop field technicians, electricians, controls technicians, and other field personnel.
- Build a strong, accountable field team.
- Establish clear expectations for safety, quality, productivity, and professionalism.
- Recruit, train, and develop field personnel.
- Manage field performance and address issues promptly.
- Develop future field leaders and supervisors.
- Maintain strong communication between field personnel and office/project teams.
- Build a culture of teamwork, ownership, safety, and customer service.
Field Operations
- Travel is about 75% of the role.
- Oversee day-to-day field execution across multiple projects.
- Plan and coordinate field manpower and resources.
- Assign crews based on project requirements, skill sets, schedule, and location.
- Monitor field productivity and progress.
- Ensure crews have the drawings, materials, tools, equipment, and information needed to complete their work.
- Identify field issues early and coordinate solutions.
- Balance manpower between local and national projects.
- Coordinate travel, mobilization, and field deployment.
- Work with contractors and subcontractors when required.
Project Execution
- Support projects from installation through startup, commissioning, and closeout.
- Coordinate field activities with Project Managers and Controls Engineers.
- Ensure installations follow approved drawings, specifications, and project requirements.
- Monitor project schedules and communicate potential delays.
- Coordinate panel installation, wiring, instrumentation, controls, networking, and equipment interfaces.
- Support PLC, HMI/SCADA, VFD, instrumentation, and automation commissioning.
- Assist with troubleshooting during startup and production-impacting events.
- Ensure field changes are properly communicated and documented.
Safety
- Make safety a primary responsibility of field operations.
- Ensure field employees follow company safety policies and applicable OSHA requirements.
- Establish safe work practices for electrical, industrial, construction, and commissioning activities.
- Conduct or support jobsite safety meetings and inspections.
- Address unsafe conditions immediately.
- Ensure proper PPE, tools, equipment, and procedures are used.
- Promote a culture where every employee is responsible for safety.
Quality & Compliance
- Ensure field installations meet project specifications and applicable codes.
- Monitor installation quality and workmanship.
- Coordinate with Engineering and the Panel Shop to resolve discrepancies.
- Ensure proper wiring, labeling, grounding, terminations, instrumentation, and equipment installation.
- Reduce rework through proper planning, supervision, and field inspection.
- Ensure field documentation and as-built information are accurate.
- Support compliance with applicable NEC, NFPA, UL, OSHA, and customer requirements.
Scheduling & Resource Management
- Develop and maintain field staffing schedules.
- Forecast upcoming manpower requirements.
- Coordinate field resources with project schedules and backlog.
- Identify staffing shortages before they impact projects.
- Track field hours, productivity, travel, and utilization.
- Coordinate overtime and additional resources when necessary.
- Work with management to develop hiring and staffing plans.
Required Qualifications
- 5–8+ years of industrial electrical, controls, automation, or field operations experience.
- Ability to travel up to or exceeding 75%.
- Proven experience managing field crews or field operations.
- Experience with industrial electrical and/or controls installations.
- Experience scheduling and managing field personnel.
- Strong understanding of electrical systems, controls, and automation.
- Ability to read electrical schematics and control drawings.
- Experience with startup and commissioning preferred.
- Strong understanding of OSHA and electrical safety requirements.
- Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to travel as required for national projects.