Business Unit Manager

The Business Unit Manager provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Business Unit (BU), with full accountability for organizational management, financial performance, and project execution. This role drives profitability, growth, and long‑term sustainability by fostering a high‑performance culture and ensuring disciplined operational execution aligned with the BU’s strategic objectives. The BU Manager also serves as a Principal Project Manager when required, leading complex, multi‑disciplinary projects and programs.

The BU Manager is fully responsible for BU performance and is expected to personally ensure commitments to clients and the organization are met. This role requires applying whatever time, focus, and effort are necessary to meet operational and client demands.

The Business Unit will focus on panel fabrication for industrial clients.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities The following responsibilities are essential to the satisfactory performance of this role. Reasonable accommodation may be made as needed. Non-essential functions are assumed to be included under “other related duties as assigned.”

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Develop and execute annual BU strategic plans with clearly defined 1‑, 3‑, and 5‑year objectives and performance targets
• Develop and manage annual BU budgets in alignment with sales forecasts and strategic priorities
• Establish, promote, and sustain an organizational culture that supports the BU’s strategy, values, and performance expectations
• Collaborate with other BU teams to support company growth initiatives, including effective resource sharing and cross‑unit project execution
• Interpret, implement, and enforce company policies, procedures, and governance standards within the BU
• Monitor progress against BU strategic objectives, financial targets, and operating plans

Financial Oversight & Reporting

• Maintain full accountability for the BU’s profit and loss (P&L) performance
• Oversee all financial aspects of the BU, including budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and financial risk management
• Monitor, analyze, and report BU financial performance, backlog, pipeline, and key operating metrics to executive leadership
• Partner with the Corporate Project Accountant (PA) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant financial reporting and adherence to established business processes

Sales & Business Development

• Define and lead the BU’s sales and business development strategy, including the effective use of dedicated Sales Managers, Corporate Sales resources, and BU’s employee‑owners as appropriate
• Lead and oversee all sales and business development activities for assigned locations and national accounts, ensuring alignment with the BU’s strategic objectives
• Maintain accountability for BU cost estimates and approve all proposals prior to submission to clients
• When not performing a Principal Project Manager role, serve as a trusted advisor to clients by guiding project decisions and recommending solutions that align technical excellence with optimal business outcomes
• Utilize Salesforce to manage accounts, opportunities, proposals, projects, and client relationships in support of disciplined sales execution and reporting

Projects

• Assign work and allocate resources to support project schedules and delivery objectives
• Monitor and evaluate project performance, recommend corrective actions, and approve proposals or scope changes generated by others
• Maintain and utilize project forecasting and workload planning tools to support effective resource and capacity management
• Support Project Managers in project‑related purchasing, invoicing, and accounts receivable activities to ensure timely and accurate project financial execution
• Provide oversight for project‑related purchasing and subcontractor engagement, coordinating with WM Purchasing and Legal to ensure use of approved vendors, compliant subcontracting practices, and adherence to Quality Management System (QMS) requirements
• Collaborate with WM’s approved network of subcontractors and subconsultants to support efficient, scalable, and turnkey project delivery
• Ensure subcontracting activities follow established best practices, including appropriate legal review of subcontracts and effective on‑site management of WM subcontractors
• Represent clients as an Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) or client extension when required, operating with ethical and fiduciary responsibility, balancing WM and client interests, and proactively identifying potential conflicts of interest to ensure transparency and trust
• Serve as an account manager, independent of the project execution team, acting as a client advocate to strengthen relationships and improve project delivery
• Work weekends, holidays, nightshift, and extended hours to meet deadlines and commissioning requirements as needed

Principal Project Manager Responsibilities

• When serving in the role of Principal Project Manager, the BU Manager may assume direct responsibility for project execution on select, high‑complexity engagements
• Lead and provide executive direction for small to large, high‑complexity, multi‑disciplinary projects and programs where senior‑level oversight is required
• Oversee the full project lifecycle, from concept through closeout, with focus on risk, governance, and execution alignment
• Develop project concepts and approve detailed execution plans that establish scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk controls
• Build, lead, and support high‑performing, cross‑functional project teams to achieve project goals and client commitments
• Maintain regular executive‑level engagement with clients, providing clear communication on project status, progress, and key outcomes
• Manage and govern client, vendor, and third‑party relationships to ensure service expectations, contractual obligations, and performance standards are met
• Coordinate with internal functions and leadership teams—including Engineering, Operations, Finance, and Sales—to ensure effective planning, execution, and issue resolution

Team Management & Development

• Provide direct leadership and oversight for BU employee‑owners, including operations and engineering managers, project managers, engineers, technicians, sales representatives, and administrative support staff
• Develop and execute hiring, retention, and workforce planning strategies aligned with the BU’s strategic and operational objectives
• Make decisions related to hiring, termination, promotion, and compensation in accordance with company policies and governance standards
• Conduct annual performance reviews and ongoing performance management discussions to ensure accountability, engagement, and alignment with Business Unit goals
• Oversee employee development initiatives, including technical skill advancement, performance improvement, leadership development, and career growth planning

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with corporate and other BU teams to support national initiatives, system deployments, and consistent implementation of company policies and standards across the BU
• Provide flexible, situational leadership across multiple functional areas as business needs require, including business development, sales, operations, engineering, technical consulting, and client account management

Vendor & Partner Relations

• Establish, manage, and maintain strategic relationships with vendors, general contractors, contract partners, A&E firms, and relevant professional associations to support BU delivery, quality, and growth objectives
• Review, negotiate, and manage client agreements and contracts in collaboration with the WM Legal Team, ensuring alignment with BU objectives, risk management standards, and company policies

Facilities & Logistics

• Oversee BU facilities and operational logistics for designated office locations, including leases, infrastructure, custodial services, security, and common‑area operations, ensuring safe, functional, and efficient work environments

Safety & Coompliance

• Support and promote the effective implementation of BU and national safety programs, reinforcing a culture of safety and accountability
• Ensure BU compliance with Quality Management Systems and support internal and external audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement efforts
• Maintain awareness of and comply with company policies and standards as outlined in the Employee Handbook

Field Work & Travel

• Willingness to travel up to 25% for on-site support and commissioning, including participation in multi-month rotational assignments at client sites
• Comply with safety protocols and client-specific requirements
• Valid driver’s license and international passport (or ability to obtain quickly)

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering is preferred
• Business or other technical degrees with equivalent experience may be considered
• Minimum ten years’ experience in project or operations management within an engineering-centric organization
• Experience as an automation engineer with hardware and software design of control systems across multiple industries preferred
• Experience in all aspects of Panel Fabrication processes, including UL508A certifications and requirements

CoreCompetencies

• Demonstrates perseverance in overcoming challenges and achieving goals
• Communicates ideas and perspectives clearly while promoting alignment through active listening, collaboration, and constructive feedback
• Exhibits a strong commitment to quality, craftsmanship, innovation, and practical problem‑solving across technical, operational, and business domains
• Actively seeks, accepts, and integrates feedback to drive continuous personal, team, and organizational improvement
• Communicates with clarity and impact—both verbally and in writing—to drive alignment, informed decision‑making, and measurable results
• Demonstrates an entrepreneurial mindset by identifying opportunities, exercising sound judgment, and driving sustainable business growth and competitive advantage
• Builds strong leadership presence and trusted client relationships through credibility, accountability, and consistent follow‑through
• Background in business administration, business development, and sales is highly desirable

Supervisory Responsibilities The BU Manager is responsible for the direct and indirect supervision of 50+ employee owners, including operations managers, engineering managers, project managers, sales managers, engineers, panel fabrication technicians, and related support roles.

Work Conditions This role involves both office and on-site work. In the office, employees should be able to sit or stand for extended periods, use computers and standard office tools, and read technical documents. On-site work may include standing and moving for long shifts, climbing ladders, lifting up to 40 pounds, and working around machinery. Tasks may require color recognition, clear communication in noisy environments, and safe operation of vehicles or equipment. Employees must wear required PPE (e.g., safety glasses, steel-toed boots, hard hats) and comply with client-specific safety protocols. Work environments may include construction sites, industrial facilities, and chemical processing areas with exposure to noise, temperature changes, and industrial materials.

Our People

• Empowered Employee-Owners – As owners of Wunderlich-Malec, we are invested in its success. We hire top talent and empower them to take initiative, drive innovation, and deliver impactful solutions
• Motivated & Rewarded – We invest in continuing education and offer world-class benefits, ensuring our employee-owners stay motivated, fulfilled, and future-ready
• Positive & Committed – Our experts bring long-term dedication and a positive, can-do attitude to every project
• Industry-Smart – Recognized as leaders in their fields, our employee-owners stay sharp through ongoing training and deep knowledge of evolving industry trends

*Job Descriptions are not exhaustive lists of all skills, responsibilities, or efforts associated with a job. They reflect principal job elements essential for performing the job and evaluating performance.

Wunderlich-Malec is proud to offer a comprehensive employee-owner benefit package. Full-time employees may be eligible for the following benefits: Medical • Dental • Vision • Basic and Supplemental Life and AD&D • Long Term Disability • Voluntary Short Term Disability • Healthcare & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts • Health Savings Account • Paid Time Off (PTO) • Paid Holidays • Tuition Reimbursement • Referral Bonus Program • 401(k)/Profit Sharing • 100% ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) • Employee Assistance Program • Will Preparation Resources • Worldwide Travel Assistance

Salary range is $140K~$170K annually depending on experience and qualifications plus a discretionary bonus and employee stock program.