Group Leader- Materials Testing/Inspection

The Role

As Group Leader for Testing & Inspection, you'll have the authority and the accountability to shape how this group operates, grows, and wins. This role is a blend of operational leadership, creative thinking, business development/strategic growth, and mentorship, requiring a a strong technical background.

You'll be the person who sets the bar on quality, fills the pipeline, develops the next generation of Testing and Inspection (T&I) professionals, and makes sure our clients never have a reason to look elsewhere. The Group Leader will be instrumental in growing our market through people development, sustainability, and client engagement.

What You'll Actually Be Doing

Operational Leadership (~40% of your time)

• Run the day-to-day of the T&I department — field ops, lab throughput, scheduling, and quality oversight — without losing sight of the bigger picture.

• Develop and implement quality control procedures to ensure the accuracy and reliability of all testing results.

• Monitor and report on departmental performance metrics; maintain strong knowledge of sales pipeline and hard backlog.

• Monitor maintenance of equipment and tools used for testing, ensuring they are properly calibrated and functioning correctly.

• Oversee lab Quality Management and accreditations — we're talking AASHTO, Caltrans, , AMRL, CCRL, DSA, OSHPD,— and make sure we stay current on all of them.

• Manage resource allocation.

• Oversee subcontractor relationships, compliance and AP approvals, ensuring proper credentials and procedure are implemented throughout their engagement.

 Business Development (~20% of your time)

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities; build and maintain relationships with clients, stakeholders, and industry partners. Lead proposal development and contract negotiations. Represent Verdantas at industry conferences, seminars, and networking events.

• Know your pipeline. Own your pipeline. Whether it's a municipal roadway job or a high-rise with complex special inspection requirements, you'll be the one making sure Verdantas is the first call.

• Develop and maintain relationships with clients and partners to promote the services of the T&I department.

Mentorship & Technical Leadership (~10% of your time)

• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior staff and project teams. Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development.

• Be the person your personnel come to when a field situation gets complicated — and have the depth to back it up.

• Stay current with industry/emerging trends, regulations, and best practices, with communication to the team.

• Support and shape the company's people-focused culture by promoting inclusivity, diversity, and collaboration — reinforcing positive workplace values and encouraging teamwork and cross-functional collaboration.

Senior Review / Project Management (30% of your time)

• Provide senior review and quality control of daily and final reports. This role may require project management of special projects that demand dealing with kye sustaining clients or new clients.

What You Bring:

• Minimum of 10+ years of experience in construction materials testing, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership or management role.

• Hands-on fluency with construction materials testing and special inspection scopes — you've been in the field, you know what it takes, and your team will respect you for it.

• Relevant certifications, current or prior — ACI , NICET, Caltrans ICC, AWS/CWI, or ASNT credentials are a big plus.

• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. Proven track record in operational management and business development in the A/E industry.

• Strong understanding of industry standards and regulations related to construction materials testing.

• Ability to create, implement, and execute a strategic growth plan.

• California Registered Civil Engineer licensure

• Experience managing lab accreditation programs (AASHTO, USACE, AMRL, DSA, OSHPD)

• Familiarity with Verdantas end markets: buildings, power, infrastructure, transportation, and government

Salary Range:

$140,000-$200,000

Benefits: