Install Department Manager

Axiom Custom Products•Portland, OR

16d•$90,000 - $110,000

About The Position

At Axiom Custom Products, we don’t just build, we bring ideas to life. As a leader in fabrication serving the creative, events, retail, and construction industries, Axiom blends advanced digital manufacturing with decades of hands-on expertise to deliver results that stand apart. From early concept to final installation, our in-house capabilities allow us to execute ambitious visions with precision, creativity, and craftsmanship. We are looking for an Install Department Manager who thrives in a fast-paced, hands-on environment and is ready to take ownership of both people and process. In this role, you will be at the center of project execution, leading a team of skilled installers while ensuring every installation meets the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and professionalism. You will serve as the primary point of contact for the installation team, guiding them through complex projects while fostering growth, accountability, and a strong team culture. Success in this position comes from striking the right balance between leadership and execution. You will mentor and develop your team while also stepping into the field to actively participate in installations and strikes, especially on high-profile projects where attention to detail and client experience are critical. Your ability to advocate for your team while remaining aligned with company goals will directly influence the performance and reputation of the department. Day to day, you will collaborate closely with engineering, shop management, and operations to ensure projects are set up for success long before they reach the job site. You will interpret drawings and specifications, conduct site visits, plan logistics, build schedules, and allocate resources to keep projects on track and within budget. When challenges arise, you will lead from the front, solving problems quickly, communicating clearly, and keeping both your team and stakeholders aligned. This role also calls for a builder of systems and standards. You will establish best practices for installation, improve workflows, and help shape processes that increase efficiency and consistency across projects. From managing tool inventory and coordinating travel logistics to ensuring compliance with safety standards and labor regulations, you will bring structure and discipline to a dynamic and ever-changing environment. We’re looking for someone with at least five years of experience managing teams and a deep, hands-on understanding of wood fabrication and installation methods, materials (wood, solid surface, plastic, laminates, and metal typically), and tools. You should be comfortable reading architectural drawings, building schedules, and leading teams through complex installs with confidence. Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills are essential, as is the ability to remain calm and effective under pressure. Experience in design-led industries, familiarity with CAD or ERP systems, and knowledge of labor laws are all valuable additions. This is not a desk-only role. It’s a hybrid of office planning and field execution, requiring flexibility, travel, and a willingness to work nights, weekends, or holidays when projects demand it. In return, you’ll have the opportunity to work on unique, high-impact builds, lead a talented team, and play a key role in shaping how Axiom delivers exceptional work to its clients. If you’re someone who takes pride in building things the right way, leading from the front, and delivering results that exceed expectations, Axiom offers a place where your expertise and leadership can truly make an impact.

Requirements

At least five years of experience managing teams
A deep, hands-on understanding of wood fabrication and installation methods, materials (wood, solid surface, plastic, laminates, and metal typically), and tools
Comfortable reading architectural drawings
Building schedules
Leading teams through complex installs with confidence
Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
The ability to remain calm and effective under pressure
Flexibility, travel, and a willingness to work nights, weekends, or holidays when projects demand it

Nice To Haves

Experience in design-led industries
Familiarity with CAD or ERP systems
Knowledge of labor laws

Responsibilities

Leading a team of skilled installers
Ensuring every installation meets the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and professionalism
Serving as the primary point of contact for the installation team
Guiding the team through complex projects
Fostering growth, accountability, and a strong team culture
Mentoring and developing the team
Actively participating in installations and strikes, especially on high-profile projects
Collaborating closely with engineering, shop management, and operations
Interpreting drawings and specifications
Conducting site visits
Planning logistics
Building schedules
Allocating resources
Solving problems quickly
Communicating clearly
Keeping both the team and stakeholders aligned
Establishing best practices for installation
Improving workflows
Shaping processes that increase efficiency and consistency across projects
Managing tool inventory
Coordinating travel logistics
Ensuring compliance with safety standards and labor regulations
Bringing structure and discipline to a dynamic and ever-changing environment