At Grade Tech, we often say that we don’t just hire for a season; we hire for a career. We look for individuals who don’t just follow instructions, but who “actively chase” the why behind the work.

We are proud to celebrate the 3-year anniversary of Josh Skinner, our Concrete Operations and QC Manager for the Mobile Batch Plant Division. Josh’s journey from behind the wheel of a mixer truck to leading our ready-mix operations is a masterclass in professional growth and dedication.

From the Driver’s Seat to Operations Manager

Josh’s path into the “dirt world” began with a simple need for a better future for his family. While working for Frito Lay, he realized he needed a career with more upward mobility. He took the initiative to go to CDL school, which led him to his first job driving mixer trucks.

But Josh wasn’t content just driving. He wanted to understand the science behind the pour.

“I wanted to know how it was batched so I could deliver the best concrete, and I started asking,” Josh recalls. That curiosity led him from the driver’s seat to Batch Operator, and eventually to becoming the protégé of a veteran Quality Control (QC) expert. When Grade Tech approached him three years ago, Josh saw an opportunity for the autonomy and company culture he had been searching for. Today, he manages our most complex mobile batching operations across the Western U.S.

The Challenge of the Mobile World

For Josh, the move to Grade Tech meant stepping away from the predictable nature of stationary plants and into the high-stakes world of mobile batching.

“Nothing is ever the same here,” Josh says. “Always a new challenge, especially with mobile batch plants. We are trying materials from all over the Western US and designing mixes to give us a competitive edge. I get to travel to places I would have never gone—like parts of Nevada I’m really enjoying right now—that I never would have sought out on my own.”

As the lead for Concrete Operations, Josh’s typical day involves intense coordination between leadership, customers, and the crews on the ground to ensure that the right material is in the right place at the right time.

Advice for the Next Generation: “Actively Chasing”

When asked what it takes to be successful in the trades, Josh’s answer is simple: Curiosity.

“Being curious. Asking Why. The more curious I am, the farther up the ladder I go,” he explains. “Leadership wants people who are chasing things, not just following. Actively chasing.”

Giving Back: The NRMCA Foundation

As part of Grade Tech’s tradition of giving back, we are honored to donate $1,000 to the NRMCA Foundation (National Ready Mixed Concrete Association) in Josh’s name.

Josh chose this charity because of its commitment to advancing the concrete industry and supporting the people within it.

“They have helped people like me who have an interest in leading the concrete trades,” Josh says. “I believe our world will be built on trades. There is such a huge demand for skilled people who can lead, understand the craft, and build a life in this industry like I have.”

Life Outside the Batch Plant

When he isn’t ensuring the perfect slump for a substation foundation, Josh is focused on his family. Last year, he bought a camper and looks forward to taking his young children out to explore the very landscapes he has discovered through his work.

Josh, thank you for your grit, your curiosity, and your leadership over the last three years. We look forward to growing the ready-mix team with you at the helm!

Want to build a career where your curiosity is rewarded? View our open positions.