General Manager - HVAC/Plumbing
$150k - $230k+ 15%-20% Annual Bonus Target
Expert
Bachelor's
Middlesex, NJ, USA
In Person
Business & Strategy
About the job
Requirements
- A minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience managing teams and business operations is required.
- Demonstrated experience within HVAC, mechanical contracting, building services, or a closely related service-based industry is required.
- Experience leading field and office-based employees is required.
- A strong understanding of service operations, including scheduling, dispatch, field productivity, customer service, and workforce management, is required.
- Demonstrated financial acumen, including the ability to understand and manage budgets, P&L statements, margins, operating expenses, and business performance metrics, is required.
- Strong leadership, communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills are required.
- The ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, fluid, and seasonally driven environment is required.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities are required.
- Comfort using technology and business systems to manage operations and make data-driven decisions is required.
- A valid driver's license is required.
- A high school diploma or GED is required.
Responsibilities
- Provide overall leadership and direction for Supreme HVAC, with accountability for business performance.
- Oversee day-to-day HVAC operations, including service, maintenance, repair, installation, scheduling, dispatch, and supporting office functions.
- Establish operating priorities, performance expectations, and accountability across the organization.
- Ensure work is scheduled, executed, documented, and completed efficiently while maintaining quality and customer-service standards.
- Evaluate workflows, systems, and processes and implement improvements to increase productivity, efficiency, scalability, and profitability.
- Use operational and financial data to identify trends, address performance gaps, and make informed business decisions.
- Partner with corporate and shared-service teams to support business operations and strategic initiatives.
- Lead the organization through seasonal demand fluctuations, changing priorities, and continued growth.
- Own and manage business financial performance, including revenue, gross margin, operating expenses, EBITDA/profitability, and cash performance.
- Develop and manage annual budgets, forecasts, operating plans, and financial targets.
- Review P&L statements and financial and operational metrics to assess performance and identify areas requiring action.
- Manage controllable expenses while ensuring resources are available to support employees, customers, and business growth.
- Identify and execute cost-saving, productivity, and margin-improvement initiatives.
- Monitor labor utilization, productivity, material costs, inventory, purchasing, and other profitability drivers.
- Share accountability for receivables and collections and maintain controls around cash, equipment, parts, materials, and inventory.
- Maintain appropriate inventory levels while minimizing excess inventory, waste, and unnecessary working capital.
- Drive company revenue and sales goals in partnership with sales, service, operations, and corporate leadership.
- Develop strategies to expand customer relationships and generate new business opportunities.
- Maintain relationships with key customers and participate in strategic customer discussions when appropriate.
- Identify opportunities for additional services, maintenance agreements, replacement work, new markets, and other revenue streams.
- Develop and maintain commercial relationships with local industry associations, Chambers of Commerce, contractors, property owners/managers, and other potential business partners.
- Partner with marketing and sales resources to strengthen Supreme HVAC's market presence and support sustainable growth.
- Monitor local market conditions, competitors, customer needs, and industry trends to identify opportunities and risks.
- Maintain a customer-first culture throughout the organization.
- Ensure customers receive timely, professional, high-quality service from initial contact through completion of work.
- Monitor customer satisfaction and establish service standards and expectations.
- Personally resolve significant or escalated customer concerns.
- Identify recurring customer issues and address their operational or process causes.
- Strengthen customer retention and repeat business through consistent service delivery and relationship management.
- Lead, coach, and develop office, field, operational, and management personnel.
- Establish goals, responsibilities, and performance expectations for leaders and employees.
- Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, customer service, safety, and continuous improvement.
- Partner with Talent Acquisition and Human Resources to recruit and retain high-quality employees.
- Ensure staffing levels align with business demand, workload, and growth plans.
- Conduct regular performance discussions and ensure managers coach and develop their teams effectively.
- Identify high-potential employees and create development and succession plans for key positions.
- Address performance or employee-relations concerns promptly and consistently in partnership with Human Resources.
- Foster an environment where employees understand how their individual performance contributes to business success.
- Champion a safety-first culture aimed at preventing accidents and incidents.
- Ensure employees follow company safety policies, OSHA requirements, applicable HVAC regulations, and operating procedures.
- Partner with safety leadership to identify and mitigate workplace and field safety risks.
- Ensure appropriate employee and operational training, licensing, certifications, and documentation are maintained.
- Maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, building codes, environmental requirements, and industry standards.
- Oversee inventory levels for HVAC equipment, materials, parts, tools, and other operational resources.
- Develop supplier and vendor relationships and ensure appropriate service levels, pricing, and availability.
- Work with purchasing and operational leaders to manage equipment and material availability while minimizing unnecessary inventory.
- Evaluate vendor performance and identify opportunities to improve pricing, terms, quality, and service.
- Support supply-chain planning to minimize disruptions and ensure technicians and installers have the materials needed to complete work efficiently.
- Champion technology use to improve operational visibility, employee productivity, customer experience, and financial performance.
- Use ServiceTitan and other business systems to monitor scheduling, dispatch, technician productivity, sales performance, customer activity, and operational KPIs.
- Ensure employees effectively use established systems and processes.
- Identify opportunities to automate or streamline administrative and operational workflows.
- Lead implementation and adoption of process improvements and new technologies.
Desired Qualifications
- A bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field is preferred.
- Previous experience as a General Manager, Branch Manager, Operations Manager, Service Manager, or senior operational leader in the HVAC industry is preferred.
- Commercial HVAC service and/or installation experience is preferred.
- Experience with ServiceTitan or a comparable field-service management platform is preferred.
- Experience with HVAC supply chain, purchasing, equipment, and inventory management is preferred.
- Experience leading business growth, sales, or business development initiatives is preferred.
- Knowledge of applicable HVAC codes, licensing requirements, EPA regulations, and industry standards is preferred.
- EPA 608, NATE, or other applicable HVAC certifications are a plus.
About the company
Kelso Industries is a holding group that brings together market-leading HVAC, mechanical, and plumbing companies serving commercial and residential properties in the western United States. It partners with established brands, providing resources to expand service offerings while preserving each brand’s identity and entrepreneurial spirit. The company acquires and invests in strong HVAC, sheet metal, pipefitting, plumbing, and controls businesses west of the Mississippi to deliver comprehensive services for property owners, builders, and developers. Its model focuses on growing the network through acquisitions, supporting employees’ development, and leveraging a larger organization to ensure customer service excellence. Goal: expand regional service capabilities and reach by integrating high-quality service providers under a common umbrella while maintaining the distinct strengths and cultures of its partner brands.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
Growth Equity (Non-Venture Capital)
Total Funding
$50M
Headquarters
Draper, Utah
Founded
2021
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Paceline's $50 million investment explicitly funds more complementary acquisitions across 2024-2026.
- Kelso bought United Services in June 2026, expanding its Southeast footprint.
- August 2026 acquisitions in Alabama, Wyoming, and Washington broaden industrial and infrastructure capabilities.
What critics are saying
- Rapid rollups since Paceline's 2023 $50 million check strain integration and systems.
- Heavy deal dependence risks a slowdown if sellers dry up or financing tightens in 2026.
- If local-identity preservation fails, Kelso loses talent, customers, and the platform's entire thesis.
What makes Kelso Industries unique
- Kelso keeps acquired brands local, as with Wallace Electric and Gaddy Electric in 2024-2026.
- It combines HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and controls into one national MEP platform.
- The model targets established family firms west of the Mississippi and now Southeast markets.
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Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Vacation
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- 401(k) Company Match
- Hybrid Work Options
- Training Programs