Jim Buice
Duluth,GA
Summary
Experienced Land Development, Construction, and Purchasing Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the real estate and construction industry in multiple States. Skilled in Construction Management (residential and commercial), Site Land Development, Purchasing and Estimating, Negotiating and Contracting, Budgeting (forecasting, monitoring, controlling and evaluating financial goals), Value Creation, and Customer Service.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Entitlements Manager
DR Horton East-Atlanta Division
01.2024 - Current
- Plan, direct and manage the activities of the Entitlements, complete Due Diligence/Feasibility analysis of projects prior to acquisition. Manage daily activities in due diligence process pertaining to obtaining entitlements from jurisdictional authorities for assigned projects, including but not limited to zone changes, concept plans, preliminary plats, etc. Plan, direct, and manage the activities of consultants (civil engineers, land planners, geotechnical engineers, hydrologic consultants, etc.) performing due diligence and entitlement services to adhere to project schedules. Review and evaluate consultant scopes of work, Development Agreements, site plans, soil and wetland determinations, and other technical reports and data. Research and organize project costs in conjunction with the land development team to create feasibility budgets to determine the financial viability of a planned community. Work in conjunction with local DHI Executive Team to determine product mix and in determining overall viability of potential projects.
- Streamlined project delivery processes, significantly reducing time to market for new product launches.
Land Development Project Manager
Davidson Homes
02.2022 - 01.2024
- Managed all land development activities including due diligence analysis and budgeting, jurisdictional approvals, review and approval of all civil, landscape, and utility drawings.
- Request for proposal management with all development contractors which includes quantity verification and final contracts.
- Ensured the company has risk management programs in place for both jobsite safety and SWPPP. Produce site condition related budgets for vertical construction.
- Developed and implemented project management methodologies to enhance efficiency.
- Coordinated resource allocation and scheduling to optimize project workflows.
Project Manager & Commercial Estimator
OCG
11.2019 - 02.2022
- Responsibilities included sales, estimating, project specific pricing, project management, contract management, budgeting, and AIA billing for commercial projects.
- Scopes of work involved slabs on grade, cast-in-place retaining walls, Segmented Block Walls, Gabion Walls, Gravity Walls, exterior flatwork, & site development concrete.
- Coordinated budgeting efforts, ensuring optimal use of resources while maintaining quality standards across projects.
- Delivered exceptional customer satisfaction by proactively addressing client concerns and meeting or exceeding expectations throughout the engagement process.
Land Development Purchasing Manager
Lennar Homes
11.2018 - 11.2019
- Responsibilities involved all bidding and contract preparation for development activities located in the Georgia Division. Duties included coordinating with engineers and consultants, estimating development quantities, providing material take-offs for amenity structures, and formulating estimates / budgets for variable site costs related to home building operations.
- In addition, 11 house-cost categories were managed in a dual role as a Home Building Purchasing Manager.
- Position included an Area Role for the Southeast.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, achieving favorable terms and enhancing procurement processes.
Senior Land Development Project Manager
Meritage Homes
03.2016 - 08.2018
- Responsible for site development of raw and or REO land tracts as the General Contractor representing Meritage Homes. Duties included due diligence site exploration, site plan design management, budgeting, estimating, forecasting, bidding (RFP’s and RFQ’s), contracting, creating scopes of work / general conditions, scheduling, planning cash flow, & coordinating all land development activities for Western and Southern zones.
- Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.
- Developed comprehensive project plans with clear timelines, milestones, and budget requirements, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results.
- Tracked project and team member performance closely to quickly intervene in mistakes or delays.
Manager of Land Development
The Pulte Group
01.2014 - 03.2016
- Led cross-functional teams to streamline project workflows and enhance operational efficiency.
- Developed strategic plans for residential construction projects, aligning with corporate objectives and market trends.
- Implemented process improvements that reduced project timelines and increased quality standards across various sites.
- Mentored junior managers in effective team leadership and conflict resolution strategies, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Facilitated training sessions for staff on industry best practices and compliance regulations, enhancing overall team competency.
- Organized professional development programs for staff, leading to improved performance and skill sets.
Land Development Manager & Site Estimator
The Pulte Group
01.2009 - 03.2015
- Responsibilities included formulation of preliminary and final cost estimates for all sites to establish a comparison to contractor bids utilizing a database of unit pricing, quantity estimates, and value engineering to create leverage for contract negotiations for thousands of individual lots.
- Analyzed project specifications to prepare accurate cost estimates and budgets.
- Project management of multiple projects included contractor oversight, safety protocol enforcement, storm water management, bidding, and final contract awards.
- Conducted thorough site visits to gather essential information for precise estimates, minimizing potential change orders during construction phases.
Purchasing Manager
The Pulte Group
10.2008 - 01.2014
- Sourced with estimating, contracting, creating scopes of work, monitoring contractor bench strength & performance, executing projects on time to facilitate community openings, studying pricing and commodity trends, negotiating, and value engineering.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers to secure favorable terms and conditions.
- Developed and maintained strong vendor relationships to ensure quality supply chain management.
- Analyzed market trends to forecast purchasing needs and drive strategic sourcing initiatives.
- Part of a Southeast Regional Purchasing Team.
Area Construction Manager
The Pulte Group
05.2004 - 01.2008
- Duties included forecasting, man-power planning, employee development, contractor management, budget creation & adherence, change order review and negotiation, permitting oversight, red-line changes to architectural and civil plans, MSDS reporting and records, overseeing the NSQP (site compliance with EPD/ EPA) program, on-site safety programs / record keeping, and ensuring all schedules and closing were completed on time.
- Oversaw multiple construction projects, ensuring adherence to safety regulations and quality standards.
- Developed project schedules, coordinating resources and subcontractors for timely completion.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to align project goals with company objectives and customer expectations.
Project Manager
The Pulte Group
07.1998 - 05.2004
- Obligations included scheduling, material counts / adjustments, job site safety, storm water management, adherence to plans and details, quality control, maintaining budgets, navigating municipal requirements, and achieving home starts / seconds / closings on time.
- Coordinated subcontractor schedules, optimizing workflow and resource allocation.
- Implemented quality control measures, resulting in improved project outcomes and client satisfaction.
- Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.
Area Customer Service Manager
The Pulte Group
07.1996 - 06.1998
- Led customer service team to enhance client satisfaction and resolve inquiries efficiently.
- Developed training programs that improved staff performance and reduced response times.
- Implemented new CRM systems to streamline communication and track customer interactions effectively.
Education
High School Graduate -
Duluth High School
Duluth, GANo Degree - Biology
West Georgia College
Carrollton, GASkills
- LEAN Certified
- Completed ISM-ADR School for Supply Management
- Experienced in estimating, purchasing, vertical construction, and land development
- OSHA 10 Hour Certification
- GSWCC Level 1-A Certified
- Completed courses in Construction Estimating, Management, and Materials
- Team leadership
- Staff training and development
- Complex Problem-solving
- Operations management
- Project planning
- Negotiation
- Budget control
- Policy and procedure development
Timeline
Entitlements Manager
DR Horton East-Atlanta Division
01.2024 - Current
Land Development Project Manager
Davidson Homes
02.2022 - 01.2024
Project Manager & Commercial Estimator
OCG
11.2019 - 02.2022
Land Development Purchasing Manager
Lennar Homes
11.2018 - 11.2019
Senior Land Development Project Manager
Meritage Homes
03.2016 - 08.2018
Manager of Land Development
The Pulte Group
01.2014 - 03.2016
Land Development Manager & Site Estimator
The Pulte Group
01.2009 - 03.2015
Purchasing Manager
The Pulte Group
10.2008 - 01.2014
Area Construction Manager
The Pulte Group
05.2004 - 01.2008
Project Manager
The Pulte Group
07.1998 - 05.2004
Area Customer Service Manager
The Pulte Group
07.1996 - 06.1998
High School Graduate -
Duluth High School
No Degree - Biology
West Georgia College