General Manager - Pittsburgh Branch
Location: Pittsburgh, PA (on-site)
Reports To: Regional Vice President
Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Direct Reports: Branch Operation Manager
, Parts Manager
, Service Manager, Remanufacturing/Shop Manager, Sales/Account Managers, Branch Administration (and indirectly all branch field technicians and shop personnel)
Position SummaryCrane 1 Services is seeking an experienced General Manager to lead our Pittsburgh branch - the largest service branch in the company and also home to our fabrication and remanufacturing production shop. The General Manager has full P&L responsibility for the branch and is accountable for safety, customer satisfaction, growth, operational execution, and the development of a high-performing team.
This leader balances two operating models under one roof: a high-volume field service business (inspections, preventive maintenance, repairs, and modernizations of overhead cranes and hoists) and a production environment that builds new overhead cranes and remanufactures hoists, motors, gearboxes, and related crane components. Success in this role means running both efficiently, ensuring they feed one another, and serving as a benchmark branch for the rest of the organization.
Key ResponsibilitiesSafety & Compliance- Own branch safety performance and culture; lead by example with a zero-incident mindset for field and shop personnel.
- Ensure compliance with OSHA (including 1910.179), ASME B30 standards, CMAA guidelines, and company safety policies and procedures.
- Drive participation in safety programs: job hazard analyses, toolbox talks, incident investigation, corrective actions, and customer site-specific requirements (e.g., ISNetworld, Avetta).
Financial & Business Leadership- Hold full P&L accountability for the branch, including revenue, gross margin, labor utilization, overhead, and EBITDA.
- Develop and deliver the annual operating budget and forecasts; review results with the Regional VP and act on variances.
- Manage pricing, quoting discipline, and job costing for service work, modernizations, and remanufactured products.
- Monitor working capital, including billing timeliness, accounts receivable, WIP, and inventory levels.
Field Service Operations- Oversee scheduling, dispatch, and execution of inspections, preventive maintenance, repairs, emergency/breakdown response, and installations.
- Maximize technician utilization and billable hours while maintaining quality and responsiveness.
- Ensure timely, accurate inspection reporting and follow-through on recommended repairs.
- Manage fleet, tooling, and equipment to support safe, productive field work.
Remanufacturing & Production- Lead the remanufacturing shop's operations, including teardown, evaluation, rebuild, testing, and shipment of hoists, motors, gearboxes, brakes, and other components.
- Establish and track production KPIs: throughput, on-time delivery, quality/rework, first-pass yield, labor efficiency, and cost per unit.
- Apply lean and continuous-improvement practices (5S, standard work, visual management) to improve flow, capacity, and lead times.
- Coordinate purchasing, parts availability, and vendor relationships to support production schedules.
- Align shop capacity with field service needs and pursue opportunities to grow remanufacturing revenue, including support for other Crane 1 branches.
Sales, Growth & Customer Relationships- Partner with the sales team to grow the branch's customer base and wallet share across inspection agreements, repair, modernization, parts, and remanufacturing.
- Build executive-level relationships with key accounts in steel, metals, manufacturing, energy, and other heavy industries throughout the region.
- Resolve escalated customer issues promptly and professionally; drive high customer retention.
- Monitor the competitive landscape and identify new markets and service offerings.
People & Culture- Recruit, develop, and retain a skilled workforce of technicians, shop personnel, and office staff.
- Coach and hold leaders accountable through clear goals, regular reviews, and performance management.
- Support technician training, certification, and apprenticeship pathways to build bench strength.
- Where applicable, manage labor relations in accordance with any collective bargaining agreements.
- Foster a culture of safety, ownership, teamwork, and customer focus; collaborate with peer branches and corporate functions.
QualificationsRequired- Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in industrial service, field service, or manufacturing operations, with at least 5 years in a multi-department leadership role with P&L responsibility.
- Demonstrated success leading both field service teams and a shop or production environment.
- Strong financial acumen: budgeting, forecasting, job costing, margin management, and KPI-driven decision-making.
- Proven commitment to safety leadership and regulatory compliance in an industrial setting.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage technicians on the floor and executives at customer sites.
- Proficiency with ERP/field service management systems and Microsoft Office.
Preferred- Experience in the overhead crane, hoist, material handling, or rotating equipment industry.
- Working knowledge of OSHA 1910.179, ASME B30.2/B30.16, and CMAA specifications.
- Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous-improvement training or certification.
- Experience managing a unionized workforce.
- Familiarity with the Pittsburgh-area industrial customer base.
Key Competencies- Safety leadership and accountability
- Operational excellence across service and production
- Commercial and financial judgment
- Customer relationship building
- Talent development and team leadership
- Problem solving and continuous improvement
Working Conditions- Based at the Pittsburgh branch facility, with regular time on the shop floor and at customer industrial sites.
- Customer site visits may involve heights, confined spaces, noise, and exposure to industrial environments; required PPE must be worn.
- Occasional regional travel; availability to support after-hours emergency response escalations as needed.
- Valid driver's license and ability to pass any required background checks and customer site clearance requirements.
