Residential Operations Manager (HVAC)

Tri-State Energy; New Brunswick (NJ); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, dental insurance

401(k) with company match

Education reimbursement program

Annual paid time off

Job summary

A prominent energy solutions provider in New Jersey is searching for an Operations Manager to lead their new HVAC division. This role requires overseeing compliance with utility energy-efficiency programs and managing installation teams to ensure high standards of service and documentation. The ideal candidate will have 3-7 years of experience in HVAC operations, familiarity with BPU standards, and strong leadership skills. Additional qualifications include a Bachelor's degree and proficiency in relevant software tools. Competitive benefits and a 40-hour work week are provided.

Qualifications

• 3-7 years of leadership experience in HVAC or energy efficiency.
• Strong knowledge of New Jersey utility energy-efficiency programs.
• Familiarity with BPU requirements and compliance frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Hire and train installation teams for HVAC equipment.
• Ensure compliance with NJ utility programs and maintain SOPs.
• Supervise energy modeling and data entry into utility portals.

Skills

Organizational mastery

CRM expertise

Data literacy

Technical experience in HVAC

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant fields

Tools

Microsoft Excel

QuickBooks

Snugg Pro

Elite software

Job description

Tri-State Energy (TSE) is a 40-year client-focused energy solutions provider committed to delivering engineering-driven strategies that improve facility performance, reduce operational and maintenance costs, and provide long-term reliable solutions by seamlessly combining technical engineering with project implementation. We focus on providing energy engineering and MEP contracting support for facility optimization and decarbonization initiatives. We are growing and looking to hire dedicated, industry-qualified candidates at all levels of experience to grow with our company.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Operations Manager for our Residential business in our Woodbridge, N.J. facility. The experienced candidate must set up and lead the technical, compliance, and operational backbone of a new HVAC / Home Performance division at TSE participating in New Jersey’s utility energy-efficiency programs. They will oversee installations, modeling, QA/QC, documentation, incentive processing, and program compliance to ensure accurate submissions, high pass rates, and efficient throughput across all utility programs and direct residential installation sales.

Core Responsibilities

Installation Management

• Hire, staff and train a high‑functioning installation team to support residential installations of HVAC equipment and energy efficiency services.
• Develop office staff that will work with sales, customers, and towns to file permits, schedule installations, and ensure customer satisfaction.
• Create processes to track all stages in the installation process and report status to management on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis.
• Develop and run fleet management.

Program Compliance & Regulatory Alignment

• Interpret and implement requirements from all NJ utility programs (PSE&G, NJNG, SJG, ETG, JCP&L, ACE).
• Maintain internal SOPs aligned with BPU rules, program manuals, and statewide coordinator requirements.
• Ensure all job files meet eligibility, measure requirements, and documentation standards before submission.

Technical Oversight & Energy Modeling

• Supervise HPXML modeling, load calculations, savings modeling, and measure verification.
• Validate modeling accuracy and ensure consistency across the technical team, energy auditors, and technicians/installers.
• Manage QuickBooks, program software platforms, and ensure accurate data entry into utility portals.
• Complete Energy Report / Scope of Work with program funding, ASHRAE standards verification, completion documents.

QA/QC Management

• Serve as a liaison with utility QA teams and program implementors.
• Respond to QA findings, coordinate corrective actions, and maintain high QA pass rates.
• Conduct internal audits on job files, photos, test‑in/test‑out data, and completion paperwork and commissioning forms.

Incentive Processing & Documentation Control

• Oversee incentive submission workflows to ensure timely, accurate, and complete submissions.
• Track incentive statuses, streamline scope adjustments/reworks, resolve discrepancies, and coordinate with accounting on receivables.
• Maintain dashboards for utility bill processing & approvals, incentive cycle times, approval rates, and documentation completeness.

Work Experience

Experience

• 3‑7 years of leadership experience managing operations for an HVAC, Home Performance, or utility energy‑efficiency program. Demonstrated ability to oversee field operations, vendors, and program delivery; project management experience is a plus.
• Strong working knowledge of New Jersey utility energy‑efficiency programs, including familiarity with Board of Public Utilities (BPU) requirements, reporting standards, and compliance frameworks.
• Technical experience in residential energy efficiency including:

• HPXML data standards
• ACCA Manual J, S and D calculations
• Blower‑door testing and diagnostic procedures
• Combustion safety testing
• Weatherization measures and best practices
• Familiarity with utility program management systems, such as Snugg Pro and Elite software, and statewide coordinator platforms.

Preferred Education & Certifications

• Bachelor's degree or relevant experience in related fields
• HVAC license preferred
• HERS Rater
• BPI certifications in Building Analyst Professional, Envelope, Heating, and Air Conditioning / Heat Pump

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge & Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel: Ability to create, manipulate, and analyze data using formulas, pivot tables, and charting for KPI reporting and dashboards.
• Data literacy: Solid understanding of key sales efficiency metrics (e.g., pipeline velocity, conversion rates) and experience translating data into clear reports.
• CRM expertise: Capability to use a CRM (such as HubSpot) and manage its structure for data integrity, tagging, and reporting.
• Familiarity with standard sales process fundamentals (lead qualification, opportunity stages, proposal generation).

Core Abilities

• Organizational mastery: Ability to handle a large volume of concurrent tasks with scale and manage complex logistical planning.
• Process implementation: Demonstrate ability to adhere to established workflows, document procedures, and suggest process improvements to streamline operations/system.
• Communication & diplomacy: Excellent written and verbal skills required for professional interaction with clients & cross‑functional teams.

Personal Competencies

• Detail‑oriented & quality focused: Possesses a non‑negotiable attention to detail.
• Proactive & independent: Highly resourceful, capable of solving problems professionally.
• Adaptability: Ability to maintain performance and accuracy in a fast‑paced, high‑volume operational environment.

Physical Demands of the Job

• While performing QA/QC duties in this role, the employee is occasionally required to stand; sit, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; use hands to finger, grasp, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; push or pull; talk and hear; use repetitive motions.
• In addition, the employee may be required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

The employee must have visual acuity to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, and extensive reading and visual inspections of site plans.

Work Environment

• The employee is subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions.
• The employee is subject to hazards such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, mechanical and electrical rooms, rooftop, moving vehicles, and electrical current.

Diversity

TSE is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. TSE prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on age, race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, age, marital status, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. TSE makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

TSE is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. TSE is a drug‑free workplace.

Screening

TSE makes offers of employment contingent upon (1) successful completion of a routine background investigation and reference check, (2) drug testing, and (3) Act 34 Child Abuse clearance.

Benefits

• Medical, vision, dental insurance and more.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Company‑provided life insurance.
• Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Education reimbursement program with management approval.
• Annual paid time off.
• Observance of 8 days off for holidays.

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., though some supervisory work will occur on 2nd or 3rd shift.

• 40‑hour work week.
• Occasional weekends.
• On‑call requirement.

Some travel is required, as needed.