Operations Manager

Location: Seattle, WA
Reports to: President & CEO
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY

The Operations Manager at Columbia Fire will play a pivotal role in strengthening daily operations, improving internal culture, and supporting future growth. You will be embedded in our Seattle office, working closely with field and office teams, earning their respect, trust, and collaboration. Your leadership will ensure the operational backbone of the company runs efficiently and positively, especially as we enter a period of transition and strategic expansion.

This role includes a transitional period alongside our current operations lead. Once you’re confident in the operational processes and ready to take the reins (within 2 to 8 weeks), the incumbent will move onto their next role within the company.

As we expand through acquisitions, your role will evolve into a Branch Manager, overseeing all Seattle middle management. Until then, the Service Department will remain under the CEO's direct supervision, but you will coordinate with them regularly to ensure alignment across all departments.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Leadership

• Serve as the day-to-day operational leader for the Seattle branch during and beyond the transition period.
• Build and maintain a healthy, respectful, and high-performing team culture aligned with company values.
• Mentor and develop your direct reports across departments to ensure alignment, clarity, and confidence in decision-making.
• Collaborate closely with the CEO, Controller, and other leadership on strategic initiatives and day-to-day execution.

Project Oversight & Process Improvement

• Oversee monthly project rebudgeting and cost projection reviews with the CEO and Controller.
• Ensure accurate project billing, margin forecasting, and invoicing by the Project Management team.
• Promote weekly jobsite visits by PMs, superintendents, and designers to strengthen field engagement and customer relationships.
• Lead weekly project review meetings, kickoff meetings, and post-mortems; improve meeting cadence and engagement.
• Manage and evolve project tracking systems
• After a recent transition to Acumatica (ERP), continue optimizing operational workflows.

Sales & Customer Support

• Support ongoing customer relationships and assist in business development.
• Recruit and support sales team members, with a focus on revitalizing inspection and service sales functions.
• Review bids for technical accuracy and budget content.
• Encourage team ownership and accountability in estimating and new business development.
• Help improve standardized and effective sprinkler estimating tool based on existing internal frameworks.

Personnel & Departmental Oversight

• Direct Reports:
• • Sales Staff
  • Design Manager
  • Project Management Team
  • Superintendent(s)
  • Shop
  • Purchasing
• Support hiring, onboarding, and mentorship across each of those roles.

ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACT & FUTURE ROLE

Upon the acquisition of a new company by Columbia Fire’s parent entity, this position will elevate to Branch Manager, with expanded responsibilities to:

• Supervise middle management across all operational departments in the Seattle office.
• Lead all branch operational strategy, budget performance, and cultural integration.
• Be the go-to leader for Seattle branch performance.
• Support the onboarding of future companies and overall company growth and integration efforts, as new locations are acquired or grown.

ACTIVE INITIATIVES YOU'LL INFLUENCE

• Stabilization after recently completed ERP transition to Acumatica
• Acquisition Onboarding assistance for companies across WA, NV, OR, and ID to best practices

CORE BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership in operations, project management, or construction management; fire protection experience (ideally from design, project management and sales).
• • Prior mixed experience in various roles within the industry: design or field + estimating, purchasing, sales and management backgrounds strongly preferred.
  • If you do not have this technical experience in the industry, you will not be qualified for this role. This role requires extensive knowledge of the fire protection industry, specifically fire sprinklers especially.
• Demonstrated success in leading teams, developing talent, and improving company culture.
• Strong financial and operational acumen—comfortable working with budgets, forecasts, and job cost reviews.
• Experience with digital workflow tools (ServiceTrade, Acumatica, PowerBI, etc.) preferred.
• Strong organizational, time management, and communication skills.
• Positive attitude, and history of driving a positive and supportive culture for staff.
• Leadership mindset with a hands-on, servant-leader approach.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This role is based out of our Seattle office and requires regular in-person leadership collaboration with the team. The office location will change in March 2026, somewhere between Tacoma and Seattle. 4-5 days per week in-office or with customers is expected.
• Occasional field and jobsite visits are expected to maintain safety, oversight and relationships.
• Some travel may be required for company events or regional growth support.