Project Management Apprentice Jobs in Buffalo, NY

Frank's Mr. Plumber is looking for an experienced Installation Manager to lead our growing sewer and excavation installation department. People often come to us looking for a job, but they stay because they find a fulfilling career, room to grow, and opportunities to excel.

Tonawanda-Based Company

• $70,000–$90,000 annually plus performance-based bonus potential.

• Medical insurance with employer contribution, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, and supplemental insurance options.

• 401(k) Plan with company match.

• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays.

• Full-time Monday–Friday schedule.

• Casual, trusting, respectful, and fun work environment.

• Opportunities for professional growth, including Nexstar Install Manager training and coaching.

• Opportunity to lead and grow an established department with 11 sewer and excavation installation crews.

As the Installation Manager, you will lead and develop Frank's sewer and excavation installation department, owning daily production, crew performance, scheduling, efficiency, and overall department results. You will manage and develop the installation team while overseeing scheduling, job costing, materials, equipment, and operational performance.

You will work closely with the Field Supervisor, who reports directly to you and provides hands-on field oversight and support for active sewer, excavation, and larger plumbing projects. Together, you will ensure crews have the leadership, manpower, materials, equipment, and support needed to complete projects safely, efficiently, and according to company standards.

The Installation Manager is responsible for department performance and people leadership, including coaching, accountability, crew development, and operational results. The Field Supervisor supports successful field execution by focusing on job-site coordination, safety, technical support, quality, materials, and real-time problem-solving.

Production & Scheduling

• Plan, organize, and schedule daily and weekly activities for all 11 sewer and excavation installation crews.

• Coordinate with crews and warehouse staff to ensure materials and equipment are ready and delivered to job sites.

• Review project scopes, blueprints, and work orders to verify jobs are properly staged before dispatch.

• Adjust schedules for project changes, weather delays, material shortages, and other challenges.

• Understand sold days and ensure installations are completed within the number of days sold to the customer.

• Monitor labor, materials, and job costs to maintain production efficiency and meet budget expectations.

Field Leadership

• Provide daily leadership, direction, and accountability to installation and excavation crews.

• Maintain regular visibility into field operations through job-site visits and communication with crews and the Field Supervisor.

• Communicate project expectations, priorities, and job details to crew leads.

• Address performance, production, customer, and operational issues as they arise.

• Partner closely with the Field Supervisor to ensure crews are properly supported in the field with manpower, materials, equipment, and technical resources.

• Use field observations and feedback to identify opportunities for coaching, development, and improved crew performance.

• Serve as the primary connection between management and the installation teams.

Team Development & Coaching

• Coach, mentor, and support installation team members to improve productivity, professionalism, and performance.

• Conduct regular 1:1s with lead installers and provide clear expectations, accountability, and performance feedback.

• Lead weekly installation team meetings.

• Participate in hiring, onboarding, and training field employees.

• Maintain appropriate apprentice staffing and help develop future lead installers.

• Conduct performance reviews and provide regular coaching based on field observations, performance data, and feedback from the Field Supervisor.

• Partner with the Field Supervisor to identify technical, safety, quality, or workmanship issues that may require additional training or coaching.

• Build enthusiasm, accountability, and pride of workmanship across the team.Safety & Compliance

• Ensure crews follow OSHA requirements and company safety policies.

• Verify crews have appropriate PPE, tools, and equipment.

• Support safety meetings and reinforce safe work practices.

Administrative & Financial Management

• Maintain accurate job folders, crew schedules, daily reports, and job documentation.

• Track materials, labor hours, and job costs.

• Assist with seasonal staffing plans, budgeting, and forecasting crew and equipment needs.

• Resolve customer complaints quickly and professionally.

• Identify opportunities to improve processes, efficiency, and department performance.

• 5+ years of plumbing, sewer, excavation, or construction experience, including leadership or supervisory responsibilities.

• Strong understanding of plumbing/sewer systems, codes, and both interior and exterior installation practices.

• Proven ability to manage multiple crews, projects, and priorities simultaneously.

• Experience leading field teams in a production or installation environment.

• Strong understanding of scheduling, job costing, labor tracking, and production efficiency.

• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.

• Confident and decisive communication style with strong presentation skills.

• Comfortable spending the majority of the workday in the field with crews.

• Ability to interpret data and make data-driven decisions.

• Experience with ServiceTitan, Samsara, ADP, or similar scheduling/job-tracking software preferred.

• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.

• Strong commitment to safety, quality, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement.

Success in this role will be measured by:

• Completing installations within the proper number of sold days.

• Maintaining installation callbacks at less than 5%.

• Maintaining sewer materials at 12% or below.

• Maintaining sewer labor at 12% or below.

• Strong crew productivity, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

• Consistent coaching and development of lead installers and apprentices.

• Crews are properly scheduled, staged, and productive.

• Jobs are completed within the sold number of days.

• Installation callbacks remain below target.

• Labor and material costs remain within established targets.

• Crews receive consistent coaching and accountability.

• The Field Supervisor and Installation Manager work together effectively, with clear ownership between business/production performance and technical field excellence.

• Customers receive a professional, high-quality installation experience.

• The department continues to grow while maintaining strong safety, quality, and profitability.

New Install Managers receive structured onboarding and training, including the Install Self Study Guide, Install Service System, and Install Management & Coordination coursework. Additional Operational Excellence and Training Mastery classes are recommended, along with ongoing monthly coaching and opportunities to visit high-performing peer companies.