In Your Shoes - Mark Stewart

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After leaving school mid-way through sixth year, I gained the opportunity as a apprentice Painter and Decorator with a then local firm JG Leddie, however very shortly after, back in March 2006, gained a Modern Apprentice with a local Quantity Surveying Firm, John Duguid Partnership, now forming part of Hardies Property & Construction Consulatants in the heart of Dundee.

After completing my HND within Quantity Surveying back in 2011, I made the move away from PQS into Contracting Surveying, joining Andrew Shepherd Construction in Forfar, where I would stay until June of 2015. It was then that I was giving the opportunity to join WM Donald, a Civil Engineering Contractor from Netherley, just outside Stonehaven, joining as a Quantity Surveyor, I then latterly progressed to Senior QS and have been with the business for the last 11 years.

As the business continued to grow and with more 'local' tradesmen & woman from South of Stonehaven joining the business and obtaining works within the Dundee and surrounding area, the business made the consious decision, back in June of 2021 to open our first regional office within Tayside to cement our commitment to the local area and beyond. It is then, I was made Commercial Manager of Tayside, overseeing all commercial aspects of the business from pre to post contract, whilst assiting with the overall business needs within the Tayside region. 

Monday - Week ahead

Monday (like most days) begins early. Before the week properly get underway, the first task of the week usually involves working through emails that have built up over the weekend, alongside anything still requiring attention from the previous week. In Civil Engineering, things move quickly and can change from any given moment so it is important that the week is organised and a clear understanding of priorities.

Today revolved around our monthly Regional Meeting, which brings together all departments. These meetings are a fundamental part of keeping projects moving efficiently and ensuring communication remains strong between teams.

The discussions cover everything from outstanding actions through to new items requiring attention. One thing I enjoy about my role is the variety involved and this meeting chaired by myself really highlights this. Conversations cover Procurement materials to Technical & Engineering discussions to Operational updated and Commercial reviews.

As Commercial Manager, it is important to understand how all departments interact with one another as ever decision can ultimately impact programme, cost and delivery. No two Monday's are the same but they certainly set the tone for the week ahead.

Tuesday - Site Visits

Today, the sun was shining so a defiant Commercial site visit kind of day. In all seriousness, today was a Progress Meeting and Site Visit Day at one of our largest infrastructure developments in the region, which is currently progressing through a key phase of works. 

These site visits and meetings are a key element of Commercial Management to allow first hand visibility of work progress and ensuring works remain aligned with original Tender allowances. Working closely with the QS and Project Team allow good working relations and help keep the projects running smoothly. 

Despite the varying size / value of contract, what always stands out to me is the fantastic teamwork and scale of co-ordination between all departments and the key communication and relationships being built with our clients, whether they be new or existing. It is what we pride ourselves on at WM Donald. These disciplines play a vital role in ensuring the successful delivery of all our projects. 

Wednesday - Hump Day

Midweek and all going well.

After a successful and most recent Contract Award for WM Donald Tayside, todays focus was, initially our own Internal 'Tender Handover Meeting' - which involves our Estimator provides insight to Department Leads and the wider team to ensure their understanding and key focuses to ensuring a smooth transition from Pre-Construction Stage. This is a fundamental part of the process as it provides key points to all to ensure another planned and successful delivery. 

Thereafter our Client attended our offices here at Riverview House in Perth to conduct their own 'Pre-Start Meeting', with the first thing catching their eye, the breathtaking view of, Kinnoull Hill, Friarton Bridge and of course the iconic River Tay. I think we can all agree, backdrops don't get much better. 

These Pre-Start Meetings, from a Commercial Manager's perspective is key critical to ensure clarity from the outset the initial scope of works and establish a strong working relationship being built on transparency and trust. Something again, we at WM Donald pride ourselves on. 

Thursday - Planning Day

Our fortnightly Labour Resource Meeting kicked off today with myself, Senior Contracts Manager and regional Site Supervisors. This meeting is a key factor in forward planning and co-ordination for the region, ensuring we have the right individuals and skill sets allocated to the all current projects. 

Within Civil Engineering, effective labour planning is critical to maintaining programme, controlling cost and ensuring that site operations continue to run smoothly without any unnecessary disruption to our own organisation but also our clients. This is something we pride ourselves on. 

Having an involvement within these meetings allows me to understand initial labour and plant costs on various sites but also allows forward planning regarding tendering opportunities and key business decisions. 

These meetings always provide a good insight and help provide structure not just for the week (s) ahead but months at a time. 

Friday - Business Development

I was on a course this Friday, but a rather enjoyable course. This week we had our annual golf day, where we welcome clients, key suppliers and employees along to our WM Donald golf day. 

These days are play a key part in making, maintaining and strengthening client relationships. A though ask taking clients and suppliers out on the occasional golf day but someone has to do it...

While less formal that the standard office environment, these occasions play an important role in the wider commercial function and provides the opportunity to engage with client on a more personal and professional level, strengthen rapport and continue conversations that often extend beyond individual projects. 

It is a balance between structured commercial delivery and relationship led business development that makes my role both varied and very rewarding. Taking a project from pre to post tender has certainly has a unique feel to it.