Max Smith

I currently hold the position of Trainee Assistant Site Manager overseeing a project comprising over 1000 units spanning four phases in Daresbury, Warrington. From the inception of the project, I have been involved in managing the first phase, which encompasses a diverse array of 3, 4- & 5-bedroom houses across nine different house types, with prices ranging from £400,000 to £680,000 for larger properties.

Situated directly behind Redrow Northwest’s head office, this project serves as the flagship site for the division. In my capacity as Trainee Assistant Site Manager, I report directly to the Area Contracts Manager, Site Manager, and Assistant Site Manager. My primary responsibilities include ensuring the construction of a quality product, adhering to safety protocols, staying within agreed budgets and timelines, and fostering close collaboration with the Sales and Customer Care Departments to uphold customer satisfaction.

Moreover, I oversee the induction of operatives upon commencing work on-site and ensure the implementation of all necessary method statements and risk assessments. Additionally, I serve as one of the site's first aiders, ensuring strict adherence to government and Redrow policies aimed at safeguarding the health and well-being of all on-site operatives.

Duties:

• Liaise with Sales and Customer Care departments to ensure the highest possible customer care performance/satisfaction
• Complete weekly Health & Safety inspections
• Carry out inductions and COVID inductions for new operatives
• Ensure toolbox talks are carried out Review construction phase plans including traffic management and pedestrian routes
• Ensure an efficient method of build, to the required build quality and build programme
• Encourage safe working practices on site
• First Aider
• Complete weekly Health & Safety inspections
• Health and Safety Protocols (site inductions, traffic management plans, environment watercourse checks, competency checks, RAMS reviews, etc) General trade preparation for tasks (information, drawings, dates, sales extras, materials, plot cleanliness and safety)
• Facilitate successful Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector visits.
• Chair weekly subcontractor progress meetings
• Co-ordination of sub-contractors and material deliveries
• Collaborate with the design team and subcontractors to improvise, adapt and overcome design faults
• Waste management on site Produce realistic target programmes
• Control handover documentation
• Completing Extension of Time documents
• Responsible for all labour on site and completing their timesheets
• Collaborate with senior team members to proactively address challenges and learn innovative solutions.
• Responsible for plot specific external works
• Material management (Call-Offs)
• Customer Interactions Provision of numerous snaglists at various stages throughout the build, coordination of snaglists to be completed then analysis of completed work in accordance with quality and regulatory requirements
• Sub-contractor meetings, regarding build progress, site standards, safety, customers, etc
• Site meetings with Redrow employees in different departments regarding all aspects of the site (future/ current phase plans, engineering concerns, customer complaints, build problems, etc)
• Management of customer care surveys provided by the Home Builders Federation (HBF)
• Carry out NHBC Inspection Stages with Building Inspector
• Building Regulations & Quality Standards
• Email management

In October 2020, amidst the ongoing challenges posed by COVID-19, I secured a coveted position as a rotational undergraduate at Redrow Homes. This prestigious sponsored degree program attracted over 1000 applicants nationwide, with only 16 positions available, three of which were allocated to the North West region where I was based.

Over the course of two years, I embarked on a rotational journey across all departments within Redrow Homes, spending four-month blocks in each area. The culmination of this program involved dedicating the third year to a single department for a full year, enabling me to immerse myself in my chosen career pathway.

During this comprehensive experience, I had the opportunity to delve into various sectors of the business, including Land and Planning, Technical (Design and Engineering), Commercial (Quantity Surveying and Buying), Sales (Consultant and Marketing), Customer Care, and Construction.

This immersive and diverse exposure provided me with a profound understanding of the operations and intricacies of a leading construction company with a billion-dollar revenue. Moreover, it significantly expanded my professional network, fostering invaluable connections that continue to support me as I progress towards my ultimate goal of becoming a site manager.

Each department offered unique insights and hands-on experience, equipping me with a versatile skill set and deep knowledge of their day-to-day functions. The lessons learned during this program continue to resonate with me, empowering me to excel in my current endeavors and beyond.

A succinct overview of my experience in each department is provided below:

Technical (Design and Engineering) – 4 Months

• Design of new site plans on CAD & Revit
• Update revisions of material layouts and house designs
• Provide technical guidance to site teams regarding certain requirements and regulations
• Attend engineering meetings involving section 278 works, external works, environmental issues, council restrictions, etc

Land and Planning – 4 Months

• Provision of Land research project (finding potential land opportunities for option land)
• Provision of constraint plans for potential upcoming land bids
• Provision of market research for upcoming land Create land appraisals for upcoming land opportunities on Redrow specific IT systems
• Attend fortnightly land meetings with board of directors and land department about potential opportunities

Commercial – 4 Months

• Construct tender enquiries for contractors
• Organise tender arrangements for the Quantity Surveyor to analyse data
• Input data into spreadsheets to act as ‘COM7’ tool for tender comparisons/breakdowns
• Approve weekly/monthly payments
• Raise/Negotioate orders for site variations
• Release payments for subcontractors Call Off Materials for site teams
• Arrange couriers to pick up materials from suppliers/manufacturers for on site emergencies
• Carry out audits following trends identified in construction variation cost (CVC) meetings with directors, commercial teams and area construction managers
• Weekly site visits for stock checks, record progress and site ticks for payment of contractors and engineering meetings

Sales and Marketing – 2 Months in each Department

• Work alongside sales consultants to understand IT systems, sales processes and relationship with build teams
• Understanding how late sales and customer extras effect the progress of build
• Understanding how reservations, exchanges and completions are carried out with the various personnel involved at each stage
• Regularly conducted comprehensive weekly and monthly performance reports for key platforms including Rightmove, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and Google Analytics
• Delivered insightful data insights to Sales Consultants, Area Sale Managers, and the Sales Director, informing strategic decisions
• Produced engaging Facebook creatives by crafting compelling copy and utilising digital assets such as videos and carousels, contributing to enhanced brand visibility and user engagement
• Collaborated closely with Sales Consultants to address their specific needs for the website, providing accurate and timely information
• Ensured alignment with current marketing strategies and facilitated effective communication to enhance overall marketing efforts

Customer Care – 2 Months

• Courtesy call customers that have been moved in longer than 9 months on selected developments to establish their current situation with their new home, then arrange contractors to attend to carry out any unfinished work
• Carry out home previews with customer service managers and customers
• Carry out pre-completion plot inspections as part of the quality procedure
• Produce and present video presentations for the customer care department about the importance of 8 week and 9 month surveys (HBF)
• Attend meetings with site staff to gauge an understanding of moved in customer care issues

Construction – 18 Months

• Liaise with Sales and Customer Care departments to ensure the highest possible customer care performance/satisfaction
• Complete weekly Health & Safety inspections
• Carry out inductions and COVID inductions for new operatives
• Ensure toolbox talks are carried out Review construction phase plans including traffic management and pedestrian routes
• Ensure an efficient method of build, to the required build quality and build programme
• Encourage safe working practices on site
• First Aider
• Complete weekly Health & Safety inspections
• Health and Safety Protocols (site inductions, traffic management plans, environment watercourse checks, competency checks, RAMS reviews, etc) General trade preparation for tasks (information, drawings, dates, sales extras, materials, plot cleanliness and safety)
• Facilitate successful Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector visits.
• Chair weekly subcontractor progress meetings
• Co-ordination of sub-contractors and material deliveries
• Collaborate with the design team and subcontractors to improvise, adapt and overcome design faults
• Waste management on site Produce realistic target programmes
• Control handover documentation
• Completing Extension of Time documents
• Responsible for all labour on site and completing their timesheets
• Collaborate with senior team members to proactively address challenges and learn innovative solutions.
• Responsible for plot specific external works
• Material management (Call-Offs)
• Customer Interactions Provision of numerous snaglists at various stages throughout the build, coordination of snaglists to be completed then analysis of completed work in accordance with quality and regulatory requirements
• Sub-contractor meetings, regarding build progress, site standards, safety, customers, etc
• Site meetings with Redrow employees in different departments regarding all aspects of the site (future/ current phase plans, engineering concerns, customer complaints, build problems, etc)
• Management of customer care surveys provided by the Home Builders Federation (HBF)
• Carry out NHBC Inspection Stages with Building Inspector
• Building Regulations & Quality Standards
• Email management

• From late August 2019 to January 2020, I worked as part of the operational team at Marks and Spencer
• My responsibilities encompassed various tasks crucial to the smooth functioning of the store
• Working primarily in the back of the shop, I handled diverse duties such as organizing deliveries, troubleshooting customer tills, and addressing customer queries promptly and effectively
• This role provided me with valuable insights into the behind-the-scenes operations of a large-scale retail business
• I learned firsthand how even the smallest tasks can significantly impact the overall efficiency of the store
• It was enlightening to witness the interconnectedness of various processes and how each task contributed to the seamless functioning of the establishment
• My experience at Marks and Spencer was particularly beneficial as it complemented my university schedule
• However, as my academic commitments intensified, I found it challenging to accommodate increased working hours requested by the company
• Regrettably, I was unable to comply due to my ongoing university studies during the week.

• From March 2019 to June 2019, I was employed at Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) where I worked in a part-time capacity from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm, Monday to Friday
• Concurrently, I was completing my studies at sixth form, where my days typically commenced at 7 am and concluded at 10 pm, as I transitioned directly from school to my evening shift at HMPO
• This demanding schedule was necessitated by my approaching A-level examinations at the time
• My role at HMPO was dynamic and multifaceted, presenting me with diverse challenges on a daily basis
• Primarily computer-based, the job equipped me with essential skills in meeting targets within specified timeframes
• Furthermore, as the nature of the job revolved around customer service and passport-related inquiries, I frequently engaged with customers through email correspondence and predominantly via telephone calls
• This aspect of the role provided me with invaluable experience in effectively communicating with customers and swiftly resolving any issues that arose
• Despite the demanding nature of my schedule, I thrived in the fast-paced environment of HMPO, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in managing both academic and professional commitments concurrently
• My time at HMPO not only enhanced my technical proficiency but also sharpened my interpersonal skills through constant interaction with customers and colleagues.