Operations Manager - Plumbing

Company Background:

We are 30+ (and growing) market-leading operating companies that deliver unmatched HVAC, mechanical, refrigeration, plumbing, and electrical solutions. We are actively building the nation’s preferred technical service partnership for commercial MEP+ ecosystems, empowering industrial, commercial, and institutional clients-including Fortune 500 companies and other industry leaders across the United States-with reliable, innovative service. Learn more about us at www.kelso-industries.com  

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Company: Markade Plumbing

Location: Phoenix, Arizona

POSITION SUMMARY

The Operations Manager will lead the day-to-day operations of Markade Plumbing, with overall responsibility for project execution, field operations, financial performance, workforce planning, safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.

This is a hands-on leadership role for an experienced commercial plumbing professional who can run the operation, develop the team, strengthen processes, and ensure projects are completed safely, profitably, and according to customer commitments.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Operations Leadership

• Lead the day-to-day operations of Markade Plumbing.
• Direct project management, field operations, manpower planning, purchasing, and operational support.
• Establish operational priorities, performance expectations, and accountability across the organization.
• Lead and develop Project Managers, superintendents, foremen, and operational support staff.
• Maintain visibility into project performance, staffing needs, customer commitments, and operational risks.
• Identify and implement process improvements that support consistent execution and profitable growth.
• Coordinate with President on business priorities, resources, and organizational initiatives.

Project and Field Execution

• Oversee commercial plumbing projects from preconstruction handoff through execution, closeout, and warranty.
• Ensure projects are properly planned, staffed, scheduled, and executed according to contractual requirements.
• Conduct regular project reviews covering schedule, labor, productivity, procurement, cost, billing, change orders, quality, and risk.
• Hold Project Managers and field leaders accountable for accurate forecasts, schedules, documentation, and project results.
• Provide direct leadership and intervention on underperforming or high-risk projects.
• Ensure effective coordination between estimating, preconstruction, project management, purchasing, and field operations.
• Maintain a regular presence on project sites and stay closely connected to field leadership.

Financial Performance

• Maintain accountability for the financial and operational performance of Markade Plumbing.
• Develop operating budgets, revenue forecasts, manpower plans, and annual performance goals.
• Monitor project profitability, gross margin, labor productivity, backlog, cash flow, and other key performance indicators.
• Ensure accurate forecasting, billing, cost reporting, change-order management, and project closeout.
• Review financial results with Project Managers and hold leaders accountable for project performance.
• Evaluate operational capacity, staffing requirements, and risk when reviewing potential projects.
• Develop and execute recovery plans for projects that are not meeting expectations.

People and Workforce Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop project management and field leadership teams.
• Establish clear expectations and measurable performance standards.
• Develop short- and long-term manpower plans based on backlog and project schedules.
• Ensure field leadership and skilled labor are effectively assigned across projects.
• Partner with Human Resources and Talent Acquisition to anticipate and address hiring needs.
• Support employee development, succession planning, performance management, and retention.
• Build a culture of teamwork, urgency, ownership, and accountability.

Safety, Quality, and Customer Relationships

• Champion a safety-first culture throughout the organization.
• Hold operational leaders accountable for safe, organized, and professional project sites.
• Ensure work meets project specifications, quality standards, applicable codes, and contractual requirements.
• Maintain strong relationships with general contractors, owners, vendors, subcontractors, and other business partners.
• Serve as the senior point of escalation for significant customer, project, or operational concerns.
• Protect Markade Plumbing’s reputation through reliable execution, responsiveness, and professionalism.
• Support business development and repeat-work opportunities through strong customer relationships and operational performance.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline preferred.
• Fifteen or more years of commercial plumbing construction experience, including at least seven years leading construction operations, project teams, and field personnel.
• Relevant plumbing license, trade certification, or advanced construction training preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and construction project-management, scheduling, and financial-reporting systems.
• Strong commercial plumbing and field-operations knowledge.
• Experience overseeing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proven responsibility for budgets, forecasting, profitability, and operational performance.
• Strong understanding of labor productivity, scheduling, billing, and change orders.
• Experience leading Project Managers, superintendents, foremen, and skilled-trades teams.
• Ability to identify project risks and turn around underperforming projects.
• Strong leadership, communication, decision-making, and customer-service skills.
• Phoenix-area commercial construction experience and industry relationships preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to travel regularly to project sites and other company locations.
• Ability to work additional hours as needed to support project and operational requirements.
• Valid driver’s license and proof of insurability when job duties require the use of a motor vehicle.
• Must comply with all applicable safety requirements, laws, regulations, company policies, and customer requirements.
• Must exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality regarding employees, customers, projects, and company information.
• Represent Markade Plumbing and Kelso Industries professionally while exemplifying the organization’s core values and ethical business principles.

Company Core Values

• Accountability
• Reliability
• Integrity
• Safety
• Communication

Why Join Us?

We’re committed to attracting talented individuals who seek a company with a strong foundation of success and an outstanding culture. We proactively provide competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and clear pathways for career advancement with autonomy and flexibility in an entrepreneurial environment.

Learn more about us at www.kelso-industries.com  

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate in any aspect of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local employment discrimination laws where Kelso does business.