Bricklaying jobs in Kesgrave

Working Foreman / Senior Tradesperson

£20–£27 per hour, depending on experience
Essex and Suffolk
Full-time – employed or self-employed

HMJ Contracts is looking for an experienced, hands-on tradesperson to join our team in a varied role combining practical construction work with responsibility for helping keep our sites organised and moving forward.

We undertake domestic extensions, refurbishments and new builds across Essex and Suffolk. Our office is based in Great Bromley, Colchester, but this is a straight-to-site role, so you would normally travel directly to the job rather than attend the yard each morning.

As our workload continues to grow, we are looking for someone who can work closely with our Contracts Manager and take responsibility for helping oversee day-to-day progress across our sites.

This is a hands-on role. You will need a strong trade background and the confidence to organise work, plan ahead and deal with everyday site issues, while still being willing to get involved practically when required.

The role

Your responsibilities will include:

• Visiting sites and checking progress, workmanship and upcoming requirements.
• Helping organise labour, subcontractors and priorities across active projects.
• Planning ahead so each stage of work is ready to progress efficiently.
• Identifying material requirements and arranging orders and deliveries in good time.
• Reading drawings and specifications and communicating requirements clearly to the team.
• Monitoring quality, site organisation and general health and safety.
• Identifying potential delays or problems early and helping resolve them.
• Keeping management updated on progress, labour requirements and upcoming decisions.
• Communicating professionally with clients, subcontractors and suppliers.
• Working on the tools when required to support the team and keep projects moving.

The role will vary from day to day. Some days will involve visiting and coordinating several sites, while others may involve spending more time working alongside the team on a particular project.

What we are looking for

We are looking for someone with a strong practical construction background, ideally from a trade such as carpentry, bricklaying, general building or a similar discipline.

You should also have:

• Good practical experience of domestic extensions, refurbishments and/or new builds.
• Experience taking responsibility for work on site, whether as a working foreman, lead tradesperson, senior tradesperson or similar.
• A good understanding of construction sequencing and coordinating different trades.
• The ability to look ahead, identify what is required next and keep work progressing.
• Good knowledge of materials and the confidence to identify what needs ordering.
• The ability to read drawings and understand construction details.
• A practical, problem-solving approach.
• Good standards of workmanship and attention to detail.
• Clear communication and a professional manner.
• A full UK driving licence.
• Willingness to travel between projects across Essex and Suffolk.

SSSTS, SMSTS and first-aid qualifications would be advantageous, but practical experience and the ability to manage work effectively are more important to us than management qualifications alone.

What we offer

• £22–£27 per hour, depending on experience and ability.
• Full-time work.
• Employed or self-employed options.
• For employed staff, a company van and fuel card will be provided.
• Straight-to-site working rather than attending the yard each morning.
• A varied role across domestic extensions, refurbishments and new builds.
• A balance of practical work and site responsibility.
• The opportunity to take ownership of projects and work closely with management.
• The chance to become an important part of a growing construction business.

If you are an experienced tradesperson who is confident taking responsibility on site, planning ahead and keeping projects moving while remaining practically involved, we would like to hear from you.

Work location: Various sites across Essex and Suffolk

Pay: £20.00-£27.00 per hour

Expected hours: 42.5 per week

Benefits:

• Company pension

Application question(s):

• What is your main construction trade?
• How many years have you worked hands-on in that trade?
• When did you last regularly work on the tools?
• Briefly describe the types of domestic projects you have personally helped run.

Work Location: In person