Corporate HVAC Design Manager

First Supply•Madison, WI

About The Position

First Supply is seeking an experienced Corporate HVAC Design Manager to lead and develop its HVAC design organization across all locations. The role is responsible for building design talent, setting company-wide standards and best practices, ensuring design quality and compliance, and aligning HVAC design capabilities with business growth. The position combines technical expertise with leadership and team-development responsibilities. The manager oversees HVAC system design activities, serves as a technical resource for complex applications and design challenges, and supports customer projects and consultations. The role also establishes quality assurance processes, evaluates emerging technologies and regulatory changes, and drives improvements to design practices, tools, and workflows. The manager recruits, develops, and retains HVAC designers and technicians; creates training, career progression, and succession plans; and fosters accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and customer focus. In partnership with sales leadership and executive management, the role develops HVAC design strategy, aligns resources with business needs, manages staffing and budget responsibilities, and monitors operational and team performance indicators. Travel across First Supply’s footprint is required to support locations, teams, and growth initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, HVAC Design, or related work experience.
At least 7 years of HVAC design experience, preferably across residential and commercial sectors.
At least 2 years in a leadership, management, or supervisory capacity.
Active State of Wisconsin HVAC Design Stamp.
Mastery of AutoCAD, HVAC design software such as Wrightsoft or Revit MEP, or similar tools, and energy modeling tools.
In-depth understanding of HVAC principles, equipment selection, ventilation standards, and applicable building codes.
Ability to manage multiple complex projects while meeting quality, cost, and timeline goals.
Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to lead and mentor teams, influence strategy, and foster collaboration across departments.
Willingness to travel across First Supply’s footprint.
Strong business acumen and ability to translate design capability into sales growth and strategic outcomes.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience managing or developing a team of designers or engineers, including hiring, coaching, and performance management, is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee HVAC system design activities across First Supply locations, ensuring designs meet company standards, customer requirements, and applicable codes.
Establish and maintain technical review and quality assurance processes for HVAC calculations, equipment selection, ductwork layouts, piping systems, and system designs.
Serve as the primary technical resource for complex HVAC applications, code interpretation, product selection, and design challenges.
Evaluate emerging HVAC technologies, industry trends, and regulatory changes to support innovation and continuous improvement.
Support complex customer projects, presentations, and design consultations as needed.
Recruit, hire, coach, develop, and retain HVAC designers and design technicians.
Conduct performance reviews, design audits, mentoring sessions, and coaching conversations.
Develop career progression frameworks, technical training programs, and succession plans.
Foster accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and customer focus across the design organization.
Develop, implement, and maintain company-wide HVAC design standards, CAD standards, templates, and best practices.
Drive initiatives to improve design efficiency, consistency, quality, and scalability across locations.
Evaluate and implement design technologies, software enhancements, and workflow improvements.
Maintain accurate project documentation and support compliance-related reporting.
Partner with sales leadership and executive management to develop and execute the company’s HVAC design strategy.
Align design resources and capabilities with business growth objectives, market expansion, and customer demand.
Collaborate with sales teams on quoting strategies, project planning, customer presentations, and technical sales initiatives.
Manage departmental staffing plans, resource allocation, and budget responsibilities.
Establish and monitor key performance indicators for quality, productivity, responsiveness, team development, and operational effectiveness.
Travel across First Supply’s footprint to support locations, teams, and growth initiatives.