NAME: Keith Miller
COMPANY/REGION: McCarthy & Stone (Developments) Ltd
JOB TITLE: Commercial Director
DEPARTMENT: Commercial
WHAT DOES YOUR DEPARTMENT DO?
We provide detailed costing to assist our Land Department to purchase land, once secured we tender the works, negotiate with the subcontractors and suppliers, place orders, monitor and make monthly payments to the subcontractors, set the site budget and then provide monthly detailed valuations, reporting internally and to the group. Our department is key to ensuring that the project is a success, we have to get the costs correct, place orders with the right subcontractor and supplier who will be able to perform to Constructions requirements, ensure we prepare and set the budget correctly and that we make the right decisions and monitor the costs correctly on a monthly basis.
WHAT DO YOU DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?
My job is to manage a department of 16 people, ensuring accuracy in the information provided and figures produced, that timescales are being met and that we are servicing the departments and trades that reliant on our performance (Land, Construction, Sales and our Subcontractors) I attend management meeting, department meetings with managers and team, visit sites, inspect finished properties ( awaiting handover to our customers) has been completed to the quality expected. Review budgets and land bids, and completed valuations.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?
The job is a moving target, no day is the same as the next, each day is a different challenge, but you can always results of your efforts, be it the land purchase, the margin once the budget is finalised, the deal you have just made with the subcontractor. I am also able to coach and encourage others in the team to progress their careers, which I believe is important to the industry.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS CAREER?
I began my career as an apprentice bricklayer, and whilst serving my apprenticeship I was given an insite into other sides of the business, an opportunity arose in the Estimating department which I took and this lead on to becoming a Surveyor.
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DID YOU NEED TO GET THIS JOB?
I studied part time with my HNC and then HND, having the site experience help me understand the issues that arise on site. I believe qualifications are important, but it is also necessary to have the right attitude to succeed.
IS THERE ANY PARTICULAR ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE A GRADUATE OR TRAINEE LOOKING FOR A JOB IN YOUR WORK AREA?
Go for it !! It is a fantastic career and is extremely rewarding.