Sales Manager - Fire Sprinkler

Ryan Fireprotection, Inc.; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Ryan Fireprotection, Inc. in Cincinnati, OH is seeking a Sales Manager to lead a team of Sales Engineers focused on pursuing new fire sprinkler project opportunities with general contractors and owner-direct customers.

You will shape bidding strategy, mentor estimators, review estimates for accuracy, and ensure timely handoffs to operations, while driving profitable growth and strong customer relationships.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of progressive experience in estimating, sales engineering, or contract sales within the fire protection industry.
• Experience preparing and reviewing fire protection estimates and proposals.
• Prior leadership experience or readiness to lead a team.
• Working knowledge of fire protection codes, materials, equipment, and subcontractor markets.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and proposal quality.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet bid deadlines.
• Bachelor's degree and NICET certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 2-4 Sales Engineers.
• Set performance goals tied to bid volume, capture rates, and margins.
• Conduct reviews and skills development planning.
• Collaborate across departments to support bids and customer relations.
• Establish bidding priorities based on value and capacity.
• Review bid pipeline for resource alignment and profitability.
• Approve bid/no-bid decisions and pricing guidance for complex projects.
• Ensure estimates are accurate, compliant, and competitive.
• Lead bid reviews with leadership and ensure complete documentation.
• Coordinate turnover meetings with operations at handoff.
• Clarify scope, conditions, and payment terms with customers.

Skills

Leadership

Estimating

Sales Engineering

Bid management

Communication

Contract sales

Education

Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, business, or related field

NICET certification

Job description

Your Next Career Starts Here. Let's Succeed Together.

Location: Cincinnati, OH

Job Id:1032

# of Openings:1

Position Overview

The Sales Manager is responsible for leading and developing a team of Sales Engineers (Estimators) who pursue new project opportunities and build relationships with general contractors and owner-direct customers for fire sprinkler projects. This role oversees the bid pipeline, ensures estimate and proposal accuracy, drives capture rates and margin performance, and ensures a smooth handoff of sold projects to operations. The Sales Manager plays a critical role in shaping bidding strategy, mentoring estimating staff, and supporting the overall growth of the fire protection contract sales function.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 2-4 Sales Engineers, providing coaching on estimating practices, customer engagement, and proposal quality
• Set individual and team performance goals tied to bid volume, capture rates, margin targets, and customer relationship growth
• Conduct regular one-on-ones, performance reviews, and skills development planning
• Foster a collaborative team environment that works effectively across departments
• Establish bidding priorities across the team based on capture rates, margin opportunities, customer relationships, and operational capacity
• Review the bid pipeline regularly to ensure resources are focused on the highest-value opportunities
• Monitor win/loss data and adjust strategy to improve hit rates and profitability
• Approve bid/no-bid decisions and provide guidance on pricing strategy for complex or high-value projects
• Review estimates prepared by Sales Engineers for accuracy, code compliance, and economic competitiveness
• Ensure quotes properly account for project specifications, special equipment and materials, subcontractor needs, and rental pricing
• Lead bid reviews with the department head and ensure team members are prepared with organized, complete documentation
• Verify proposals match bid document requirements and are clear, concise, complete, and free of grammatical errors or contradictions
• Ensure job award paperwork is completed accurately and on time, and that turnover meetings with operations are well-prepared
• Confirm that scope of work, conditions, expectations, opportunities, and payment terms are clearly defined at handoff
• Support operations with pricing questions, change order strategy, and conflict resolution on sold projects

Customer Relationships

• Maintain and grow direct relationships with key general contractors and project owners
• Support Sales Engineers in customer-facing meetings, negotiations, and conflict resolution
• Identify new market opportunities and target accounts to expand the customer base

Required Qualifications

• 5-7 years of progressive experience in estimating, sales engineering, or contract sales within the fire protection industry
• Demonstrated experience preparing and reviewing fire protection estimates and proposals
• Prior leadership experience or evidence of readiness to lead a team (formal or informal)
• Working knowledge of fire protection codes, materials, equipment, and subcontractor markets
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, error-free proposals
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet bid deadlines, and solve problems under pressure
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of personalities, both internally and with customers
• Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, business, or related field
• NICET certification or equivalent fire protection industry credentials

Requirements:

• Candidates must possess and maintain a valid driver's license. The ability to drive to job sites / work locations may be a requirement of this position. A motor vehicle record (MVR) check will be conducted as part of the hiring process.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.