Plumbing Manager

This is a hands-on field leadership position designed for an experienced plumbing professional who can lead technicians and manage projects while continuing to perform plumbing work in the field. This is not strictly a management or office-based position. The Field Operations Manager will work alongside the team, troubleshoot complex plumbing issues, and independently complete plumbing work when necessary.

Senior-Level Plumber / Field Operations Manager

In this role, you will be responsible for a combination of field leadership, project management, technical troubleshooting, and hands-on plumbing work.

Field Operations & Leadership

• Manage and oversee daily field operations and plumbing technicians.
• Coordinate technicians, crews, equipment, materials, and jobsite requirements.
• Provide field direction and technical support when difficult situations arise.
• Visit active jobsites to monitor workmanship, productivity, safety, and project progress.
• Hold field employees accountable for company procedures, workmanship standards, professionalism, and jobsite cleanliness.
• Train, mentor, and develop plumbers and apprentices.
• Assist technicians with troubleshooting and determining appropriate repair methods.
• Communicate with office staff and dispatch regarding scheduling, project progress, job requirements, and field issues.
• Assist management in improving field procedures, efficiency, quality control, and technician performance.
• Identify training needs and participate in technician evaluations.
• Lead by example and maintain a professional attitude when interacting with employees, customers, property managers, vendors, and inspectors.

Project Management

• Manage plumbing projects from initial assessment through final completion.
• Review job scope, labor requirements, materials, equipment, and scheduling before work begins.
• Read and interpret plumbing plans, drawings, specifications, and project documents.
• Assist with preparing estimates, scopes of work, material lists, and project recommendations.
• Coordinate materials, equipment, subcontractors, inspections, shutdowns, and jobsite access as required.
• Monitor labor hours and material usage to help keep projects within scope and budget.
• Identify unforeseen field conditions and communicate potential change orders before additional work is performed.
• Perform final walkthroughs and quality-control inspections when necessary.
• Ensure projects are properly tested, completed, and ready for customer turnover.

Hands-On Plumbing & Physical Labor

This position requires regular physical field work. The Field Operations Manager must be willing and able to:

• Personally perform plumbing repairs, installations, replacements, and troubleshooting.
• Complete plumbing projects independently when necessary.
• Work alongside technicians and crews on larger or more complex projects.
• Step into jobs when additional manpower or senior-level technical expertise is required.
• Perform physical labor associated with commercial and residential plumbing.
• Work in mechanical rooms, crawlspaces, ceilings, rooftops, garages, trenches, and other typical plumbing environments.
• Safely lift and handle plumbing materials, equipment, tools, pipe, fixtures, and components.
• Use ladders, power tools, plumbing equipment, drain-cleaning equipment, and other trade-related tools.
• Respond to emergency plumbing situations when required.

Please note: Management responsibilities do not eliminate field responsibilities. This is a working Field Operations Manager position, and hands-on participation is an essential part of the role.

Required Plumbing Experience

Candidates should have strong senior-level experience in residential and commercial plumbing, including:

• Domestic water systems
• Sewer and drain systems
• Water heaters and tankless water heaters
• Boilers and hydronic systems
• Gas piping
• Sump pumps and booster pumps
• Recirculation systems
• Pressure-reducing valves
• Backflow prevention assemblies
• Copper, cast iron, ABS, PVC, and other common piping systems
• Leak detection and troubleshooting
• Drain cleaning and sewer diagnostics
• Repiping and pipe replacement
• Plumbing fixture installation and repair
• Water shutdowns and system isolation
• General plumbing troubleshooting and diagnostics

Required Qualifications

The ideal candidate will:

• Have extensive professional plumbing experience.
• Have previous supervisory, foreman, field management, or project leadership experience.
• Be able to independently diagnose complex plumbing problems.
• Be capable of determining appropriate repair methods without constant supervision.
• Be comfortable managing multiple plumbing projects and field technicians.
• Be able to read and understand plumbing plans and specifications.
• Be capable of developing scopes of work and assisting with estimates.
• Understand applicable local plumbing codes and the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC).
• Understand proper plumbing installation practices and jobsite safety requirements.
• Communicate professionally with customers, property managers, inspectors, technicians, and office personnel.
• Be organized and capable of documenting field conditions and project progress.
• Provide clear instructions and hold employees accountable.
• Own the basic hand tools required for the plumbing trade.
• Maintain a clean and acceptable driving record.
• Be dependable, professional, punctual, and accountable.
• Have the judgment to determine when a repair can proceed and when additional approval, permitting, engineering, or investigation may be required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Commercial plumbing experience
• Multifamily or property-management plumbing experience
• Previous experience managing plumbing technicians or construction crews
• Strong estimating and project-management experience
• Experience working with inspectors and permitting agencies
• Reside within approximately 20–30 minutes of San Jose due to on-call requirements

Leadership Expectations

We are looking for someone who can lead from the field, not simply manage from a desk.

The successful candidate should be comfortable making decisions, solving problems, training technicians, addressing performance issues, communicating with customers, and taking ownership of the successful completion of projects.

You will be expected to help establish and maintain a culture centered around:

• Quality workmanship
• Accountability
• Safety
• Productivity
• Professional communication
• Clean and organized jobsites
• Proper documentation
• Teamwork
• Customer satisfaction