Operations Manager - Plumbing

Together We Build – Partnership, Innovation, Excellence, and Safety

At Kelso Industries, 4,000+ employees across 40+ companies work together to deliver exceptional HVAC, mechanical, plumbing, refrigeration, and electrical solutions nationwide. Join us to grow your career, make an impact, and be part of a team where innovation, excellence, and safety come first.

Recruiter Notice: We respectfully ask external recruiters and staffing agencies not to submit candidates. We only accept direct applications.

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Company: Markade Plumbing Location: Phoenix, Arizona Reports to: Aaron Johnson, President – Kelso Southwest

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 Aaron Johnson and Kelso Southwest leadership 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 or mechanical 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, Kelso Southwest, 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 Kelso Industries?

Join us and be part of a team dedicated to creating efficient, sustainable, and high-performance environments that make a lasting impact across the industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors.

Here you will experience:

Growth Opportunities: Develop new skills, take on exciting challenges, and advance your career in meaningful ways.

Company Culture: You’ll thrive in an environment that supports your growth, values your contributions, and makes work fulfilling and enjoyable.

Impact: Your work directly contributes to meaningful outcomes, allowing you to see the difference you make and feel a sense of purpose every day.

Competitive Compensation & Benefits: You’ll be rewarded fairly for your contributions while enjoying perks that enhance your financial security, health, and overall well-being.

Kelso Industries celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate in any aspect of employment based on 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