Installation Manager (Nashville Metropolitan Area)

Company Description

Smarter Furnishings has been a trusted supplier of quality furniture to universities, hotels, resorts, and developers for over 30 years. The company focuses on durable, functional, and stylish furnishings that meet the unique needs of high-traffic, multi-occupancy environments. Long-term partnerships and reliable service are central to its approach, supporting clients from initial design through final installation. Team members join a stable, growth-oriented business that values collaborative problem-solving and customer satisfaction.

Job Description

The Installation Manager is responsible for overseeing the successful execution of furniture installation projects from scheduling through completion. This position manages installation crews, subcontractors, project schedules, customer communication, jobsite readiness, quality control, and installation costs.

The Installation Manager serves as the primary operational leader for installation activities and ensures projects are completed safely, on time, within budget, and to the company's quality standards. This job is known as a hybrid position because travel to either or both of our offices (which are located in Alabaster, AL and Nashville, TN) will be required.

Key Responsibilities

Installation Operations

• Plan, coordinate, and oversee furniture installation projects from start to finish.
• Develop installation schedules based on project requirements, site readiness, labor availability, and delivery schedules.
• Assign installation crews, subcontractors, and supervisors to projects.
• Coordinate with warehouse, logistics, project management, and operations teams to ensure product arrives at the jobsite when required.
• Ensure installers have the correct materials, tools, equipment, drawings, and installation instructions.
• Monitor job progress and make adjustments when issues arise.
• Coordinate multi-day and large-scale installations.
• Ensure completed installations meet company and customer quality standards.
• Conduct or coordinate jobsite inspections and punch-list completion.

Team Management

• Lead, coach, and hold installation supervisors, installers, and subcontractors accountable for performance.
• Manage installation labor requirements and crew productivity.
• Assist with recruiting, onboarding, training, and developing installation personnel.
• Establish clear expectations for attendance, appearance, professionalism, productivity, safety, and workmanship.
• Address performance issues and implement corrective action when necessary.
• Build and maintain a reliable network of qualified installation subcontractors.

Customer & Jobsite Management

• Maintain professional communication with customers, general contractors, project managers, and other jobsite representatives.
• Serve as an escalation point for installation-related issues.
• Confirm jobsite readiness before crews are dispatched.
• Address damage, missing components, site conditions, installation conflicts, and other field issues.
• Ensure installers follow customer-specific jobsite requirements and procedures.
• Obtain required customer sign-offs and documentation upon completion.
• Help resolve punch-list items and customer concerns quickly and professionally.

Cost & Productivity Management

• Manage installation labor costs and project budgets.
• Review estimated versus actual installation hours and costs.
• Monitor crew productivity and identify opportunities to improve efficiency.
• Approve or coordinate additional labor when project requirements change.
• Review subcontractor pricing, invoices, and completed work for accuracy.
• Identify cost overruns and communicate them to management promptly.
• Develop strategies to reduce unnecessary trips, overtime, rework, and installation-related expenses.

Safety & Compliance

• Enforce company safety policies and customer-specific jobsite requirements.
• Ensure crews have and properly use required PPE and equipment.
• Maintain compliance with applicable jobsite safety requirements.
• Investigate installation-related incidents and assist with corrective actions.
• Ensure subcontractors meet company insurance, safety, and compliance requirements.

Communication & Administration

• Maintain accurate installation schedules and project status updates.
• Document installation issues, damages, shortages, delays, and change orders.
• Maintain installation-related records and documentation.
• Provide regular updates to leadership regarding project status, staffing, risks, and issues.
• Coordinate closely with Project Management, Warehouse, Logistics, and Operations.
• Identify recurring installation problems and recommend process improvements.

Performance Expectations

The Installation Manager is expected to consistently improve:

• On-time installation completion
• Installation labor cost per project
• Crew productivity
• First-time installation quality
• Punch-list and rework rates
• Customer satisfaction
• Installer utilization
• Subcontractor performance
• Safety performance
• Communication and issue resolution
• Installation-related project profitability

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in furniture installation, commercial installation, construction, field operations, logistics, or a related industry.
• Previous experience managing installation crews or field personnel.
• Strong scheduling and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Comfortable working with customers, contractors, vendors, and internal teams.
• Ability to read furniture drawings, plans, elevations, and installation instructions.
• Strong understanding of commercial furniture installation processes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project management/scheduling software.
• Ability to travel to jobsites as required.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with hospitality, multifamily, student housing, senior living, or commercial furniture installation.
• Experience managing subcontracted installation labor.
• Experience managing large-scale or multi-location installations.
• Experience with labor budgeting and project costing.
• OSHA or other relevant safety training.
• Experience with ERP, CRM, scheduling, or project management systems.

Core Competencies

• Leadership
• Accountability
• Organization
• Problem Solving
• Customer Service
• Scheduling
• Cost Management
• Communication
• Attention to Detail
• Conflict Resolution
• Team Development
• Time Management

Physical & Jobsite Requirements

• Ability to regularly visit active jobsites, warehouses, and installation locations.
• Ability to walk, stand, climb stairs, and navigate active construction or installation environments.
• Ability to occasionally lift or assist with moving furniture and installation materials when necessary.
• Ability to work flexible hours based on project schedules, including occasional early mornings, evenings, weekends, or overnight installations.

Success in This Role

A successful Installation Manager creates a predictable installation operation where the right people are at the right jobsite with the right product, tools, and information at the right time.

• The role is ultimately accountable for delivering installations that are safe, profitable, on schedule, high quality, and professional from the customer's perspective.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) 3% Match
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Leading or managing crews: 3 years (Preferred)
• Handling multi-day projects: 2 years (Preferred)
• Microsoft 365: 2 years (Preferred)