Fire Sprinkler Vertical Market Manager

Lehman Pipe and Plumbing Supply•Pompano Beach, FL

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 developing a high-performing team and a business that can scale into new markets. The position leads Fire Sprinkler Outside Sales Representatives and works closely with Branch Managers, inside sales, fabrication and design teams, warehouse and operations, purchasing and procurement, finance, marketing, and executive leadership. It is based in South or Central Florida, with Pompano Beach or Orlando preferred, and requires regular regional travel. The manager develops and executes sales plans, coordinates branch sales activity, builds contractor relationships, expands into markets, integrates fabrication and design services, manages pricing and margin, tracks sales performance, and oversees budgeting and financial performance. The role includes a weekly team accountability meeting and a weekly progress report to the supervisor.

Requirements

At least 8 years of experience in fire protection distribution, fabrication, or contracting.
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.
Demonstrated 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 proficiency 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, own monthly forecasting, explain variances, and lead corrective actions.
Coordinate fire sprinkler sales across branches and 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; establish territories, account plans, goals, and performance reviews; and make joint customer calls.
Build a culture of ownership, collaboration, follow-through, and continuous improvement.
Build executive-level relationships with key fire sprinkler contractors in Florida and targeted Southeast markets; grow existing accounts, win new contractors, and retain strategic customers.
Resolve escalated customer issues in coordination with branch, customer service, and operations teams.
Identify new markets, contractor opportunities, and product penetration opportunities; develop market-entry and account-acquisition plans.
Coordinate customer events, vendor initiatives, and targeted marketing.
Increase customer adoption of fabricated assemblies, kits, and design services alongside material sales.
Coordinate with fabrication and design leadership on quote turnaround, capacity, scheduling, quality, and customer expectations; use pipeline and conversion data to improve bid-to-order results and plan capacity.
Manage pricing discipline and profitable product mix, using customer classifications, pricing tools, and approvals.
Work with Purchasing on inventory, UL/FM-listed products, alternate sources, and supplier relationships while balancing competitive bids, service value, and margin protection.
Use the ERP and HUB platform to track pipeline, bid-to-order conversion, lost bids, account trends, fabrication penetration, and sales activity.
Track new, declining, and inactive accounts and ensure documented follow-up; provide 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, and stay current on fire protection products, listings, technology, and industry practices.
Lead a weekly team accountability meeting focused on commitments, lead and lag measures, progress, obstacles, and next actions; delegate a meeting leader when away.
Send the supervisor a weekly summary of individual and vertical performance, including wins, gaps, priorities, owner-specific commitments, and support needed.