Fire Sprinkler Vertical Market Manager

Lehman Pipe and Plumbing Supply LLC•Orlando, FL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Fire Sprinkler Vertical Market Manager leads the strategy, sales execution, customer relationships, profitability, and growth of Lehman Pipe & Supply’s Fire Sprinkler vertical across its branch network. The role is responsible for growing profitable market share by combining material distribution, fabrication, and design services into a strong customer offering, while building a high-performing team and a business that can scale into new markets. The position is based in South or Central Florida, with Pompano Beach or Orlando preferred, and requires regular regional travel. It leads Fire Sprinkler Outside Sales Representatives and works closely with branch, sales, fabrication, design, warehouse, operations, purchasing, finance, marketing, and executive teams. Success is evaluated through business results such as revenue and market-share growth, gross margin, customer retention, and fabrication and design adoption, as well as pipeline, conversion, customer satisfaction, cross-functional execution, team development, and selling efficiency.

Requirements

At least 8 years of experience in fire protection distribution, fabrication, or contracting, including at least 3 years leading a sales team or owning business results.
Established relationships with fire sprinkler contractors in Florida or the Southeast.
Strong knowledge of steel and CPVC pipe, grooved and threaded systems, valves, sprinkler heads, and UL/FM listings.
Understanding of prefabrication, fabricated kits, design coordination, lead times, and customer value.
Proven ability to grow market share through service, expertise, and value while protecting margin.
Proficiency with forecasting, pricing, performance analytics, and CRM/ERP tools.
Valid driver’s license and ability to travel regularly to branches, customers, and job sites.

Nice To Haves

Experience with a fire protection distributor that offers fabrication.
Familiarity with NFPA 13 and fire sprinkler design.
Experience launching new territories or markets.
Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute the annual Fire Sprinkler growth plan, including revenue, gross margin, market share, fabrication sales, customer penetration, and territory priorities.
Set branch and territory objectives, monitor market and competitor trends, and adjust plans to support profitable growth.
Own monthly forecasting, explain variances to plan, and lead corrective actions.
Coordinate fire sprinkler sales across branches to provide consistent service, product expertise, and customer engagement.
Partner with Branch Managers and inside sales on resources, account coverage, quoting, and service commitments.
Visit branches, customers, job sites, and fabrication operations regularly to identify opportunities and remove obstacles.
Lead, coach, and hold the Fire Sprinkler outside sales team accountable, coordinating fire-specific priorities with inside sales leadership.
Set territories, account plans, measurable goals, and performance reviews; make joint customer calls.
Build a culture of ownership, collaboration, follow-through, and continuous improvement.
Build executive-level relationships with key fire sprinkler contractors across Florida and targeted Southeast markets.
Grow share of wallet in existing accounts, win new contractors, retain strategic customers, and resolve escalated issues with branch, customer service, and operations teams.
Identify new markets, contractor opportunities, and product penetration opportunities; develop market-entry and account-acquisition plans for geographic expansion.
Coordinate customer events, vendor initiatives, and targeted marketing.
Grow customer adoption of fabricated assemblies, kits, and design services alongside material sales.
Align with fabrication and design leadership on quote turnaround, capacity, scheduling, quality, and customer expectations.
Use fabrication pipeline and conversion data to improve bid-to-order results and plan future capacity.
Manage price discipline and profitable product mix in a volatile steel pipe market using customer classifications, pricing tools, and approvals.
Work with Purchasing on inventory, UL/FM-listed products, alternate sources, and supplier relationships; balance competitive bids, service value, and margin protection.
Use the ERP and HUB sales and operations platform to track pipeline, bid-to-order conversion, lost bids, account trends, fabrication penetration, and sales activity.
Track new, declining, and inactive accounts and drive documented follow-up.
Present clear weekly and monthly updates on trends, risks, commitments, and action plans.
Build the vertical’s sales budget and forecast revenue, gross margin, fabrication contribution, and selling expenses with Finance.
Evaluate profitability by branch, territory, account, and product or service, and improve efficiency and return on sales resources.
Align with Operations, Purchasing, Fabrication, Design, Marketing, and Finance on demand, inventory, deliveries, and customer commitments.
Follow company policies, industry requirements, and established sales practices; stay current on fire protection products, listings, technology, and industry practices.
Lead a weekly team accountability meeting covering commitments, lead and lag measures, progress, obstacles, and next actions; delegate meeting leadership when away.
Send the supervisor a weekly summary of individual and vertical performance, including wins, gaps, priorities, owner-specific commitments, and support needed.
Own results and follow through on commitments; lead visibly in the field, make clear decisions, hold people accountable respectfully, and build trust through consistent execution and collaboration.