Corporate HVAC Design Manager

Overview

First Supply, a fifth-generation family-owned company, has served the Upper Midwest for over 125 years. Guided by our Employee Value Proposition, Where Tradition Meets Innovation, we foster a workplace where people learn, grow, and contribute to a company that values its heritage while embracing progress. Our teams take pride in supporting customers and communities, creating meaningful work and rewarding careers every day.

 

 

First Supply is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Corporate HVAC Design Manager to lead and elevate our HVAC design organization across all locations. This leadership role is responsible for developing design talent, establishing company-wide standards and best practices, ensuring design quality and compliance, and aligning HVAC design capabilities with business growth initiatives. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with strong leadership skills and a passion for building high-performing teams.

 

 

If you meet the skills and qualifications below, we encourage you to take charge of your career and APPLY with First Supply TODAY!

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for HVAC system design activities across First Supply's footprint, 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 organization's primary technical resource on complex HVAC system 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 a high-performing team of HVAC designers and design technicians.
• Conduct performance reviews, design audits, mentoring sessions, and coaching conversations to enhance team capability and consistency.
• Develop career progression frameworks, technical training programs, and succession plans to strengthen organizational bench strength.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and customer focus throughout the design organization.
• Develop, implement, and maintain company-wide HVAC design standards, CAD standards, templates, and best practices.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that improve efficiency, consistency, quality, and scalability across all locations.
• Evaluate and implement design technologies, software enhancements, and workflow improvements that increase productivity and customer responsiveness.
• Maintain accurate project documentation and support compliance-related reporting requirements.
• 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 efforts, and customer demand.
• Collaborate with sales teams to support quoting strategies, project planning, customer presentations, and technical sales initiatives.
• Manage departmental staffing plans, resource allocation, and budget responsibilities to meet business objectives.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators related to quality, productivity, responsiveness, team development, and operational effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, HVAC Design, or related work experience required.
• Minimum of 7+ years of HVAC design experience, preferably across both residential and commercial sectors, including 2+ years in a leadership, management, or supervisory capacity.
• Active State of Wisconsin HVAC Design Stamp required.
• Mastery of AutoCAD, HVAC design software (e.g., Wrightsoft, Revit MEP, or similar), and energy modeling tools.
• In-depth understanding of HVAC principles, equipment selection, ventilation standards, and applicable building codes.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, meeting quality, cost, and timeline goals.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor teams, influence strategy, and foster collaboration across departments.
• Prior experience managing or developing a team of designers or engineers, including hiring, coaching, and performance management, strongly preferred.
• Willingness to travel across First Supply’s footprint to support locations, teams, and growth initiatives.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to translate design capability into sales growth and strategic outcomes.

About First Supply

First Supply® is a leading main channel wholesale distributor, providing industrial customers and building contractors with an extensive line of products and services. We offer a wide range of manufacturer product lines across the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, builder, waterworks, pump/well & septic, industrial, and municipal markets. Headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, First Supply has more than 700 employees across 29 operating facilities serving Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan.

 

First Supply also owns and operates 18 Kitchen & Bath Stores across five Midwestern states under the Gerhard's Kitchen, Bath & Lighting and KOHLER® Signature Store by First Supply brands. Gerhard's is the largest, most versatile kitchen and bath store in the Upper Midwest, offering a wide variety of styles—from contemporary to traditional—along with unmatched service. The KOHLER Signature Stores are immersive kitchen and bath showrooms that provide a distinguished experience where designers and homeowners can get hands-on with hundreds of exclusive KOHLER products.

 

With a 128-year legacy and a people-first culture, First Supply is committed to building a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow their careers. That commitment has earned national recognition, including a spot on USA Today’s 2024 Top Workplaces in the USA, as well as honors as a Woman-Led Top Workplace and an Industry Top Workplace for Distribution.

 

First Supply LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.