Even when you’re just starting out, it’s smart to be thinking ahead about where you want your career to go. If you are training or working as a service technician, you may be wondering what future career paths you have open to you.
HVAC Service Manager is one of the higher-level jobs a background as a service tech could lead to. Keep reading to learn if this position could be the right fit for you.
What does an HVAC Service Manager do?
An HVAC Service Manager is responsible for overseeing all of the maintenance, repair, and installation work that a company does. That can include a wide variety of tasks. Here are some of the most common day-to-day responsibilities.
A big part of an HVAC Service Manager’s job is scheduling jobs and technicians to handle them. A manager prioritizes requests as they come in, assigns technicians to jobs, and figures out when everything’s going to get done. The manager also provides support to technicians in the field as needed.
A Service Manager may also schedule maintenance on all the company’s trucks and tools, making sure they get where they are needed.
Depending on the size of the company, an HVAC service manager may also be responsible for cost estimates and developing proposals, billing various projects, and working with customers to answer their questions about pricing.
Customer communication is another important aspect of a service manager’s job. Managers often spend some time with customers in person and on the phone, reviewing jobs and discussing proposals.
What skills are needed to work as an HVAC service manager?
If you’re currently working as a service technician, you know what it means to work independently and be self-driven. Those skills are also important for an HVAC Service Manager.
However, you will also need to learn how to lead a team. Managers can’t do everything themselves, so they must learn to delegate effectively. As Chris Tubertini, HVAC Service Manager at Sound Air Conditioning explains, “Part of being a good manager is counting on people to do what they know how to do.”
There are many aspects of a Service Manager’s job that would be new to a technician. It pays to be flexible and willing to learn, as many of these skills are picked up on the job. That includes knowing the ins and outs of job pricing, how to write contracts, and other clerical tasks.
Why is it helpful to have prior experience as a technician?
HVAC Service Managers benefit greatly from the specialized knowledge that comes from a background as a technician. They oversee a team of service technicians, so they must understand what their employees are doing and the issues they face. They also have to be available to support the technicians on tough service calls, and talk them through issues if they are having trouble.
Chris says it’s helpful to know the strengths of your team, and that will inform his decisions of how to assign jobs. “You want to put people in a place where they can succeed,” he explains. It’s best for the technician, the company, and the customer if the HVAC Service Manager knows how to support the team effectively, and helps them solve problems.
Technician vs. Service Manager
While the skills transfer, the jobs of a technician and a Service Manager are different in many ways. Why might you want to move to this position rather than stay a technician for your whole career?
For one thing, being a Service Manager is less physically taxing. While technician work may help keep you in shape, less physical demand may become an advantage as you get older. The switch to a management position can be an adjustment, and you’ll need to get used to working in an office most days over working on site.
Chris says he likes to get out into the field at least once a week, to maintain face-to-face interaction with the customers. The hours may be longer, but the commute can also be shorter, going to one central office rather than multiple work sites. The work will become more customer and research based.
How can you transition to the role of HVAC Service Manager?
Beginning as a service technician is a great way to put yourself on the path to become an HVAC Service Manager. To make yourself stand out from your peers and be eligible for higher level positions like these, focus on being motivated and independent.
It’s always a good idea to broaden your skill set. Don’t wait for someone to teach you; if you see an opportunity to learn more, ask or research for yourself. Driven people tend to do well in this industry, and having a wide knowledge base will serve you well in management positions.
If you’re looking to make a step up in your career, don’t forget to demonstrate interest! Not all technicians are aiming to move into management. So if a spot opens up, let your employer know that you are interested. If the right opportunity comes along, and you’ve demonstrated your skills and reliability as a tech, they might just give you that chance. There are also intermediate positions, such as field supervisor, that give you more responsibility and help you move up the ladder into management.
Check out HVAC career resources
HVACR Career Connect NY is a great resource to help you grow your career in our industry. Check out our free information.
Learn about technical careers in the HVAC & Refrigeration industry, how to get hired and tips to build your career.