General Manager

Company Background DHR Mechanical Service, part of Kelso Industries, is a market leader in commercial refrigeration and HVAC construction and service. Founded in 1997, DHR Mechanical Services specializes in refrigeration and HVAC solutions across the Southeast, serving supermarkets, convenience stores, and refrigerated warehouses. With branches in Atlanta and Tampa, and operations in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Puerto Rico, we are known for engineering excellence and top-tier maintenance services. Our mission is to exceed customer expectations with quality products, exceptional service, and unwavering integrity, tailoring solutions to meet clients' unique needs. Recruiter Notice: We respectfully ask external recruiters and staffing agencies not to submit candidates. We only accept direct applications. We are seeking an experienced and visionary General Manager to lead DHR through its next phase of significant growth. Reporting to the Divisional Vice President, South Division, at Kelso Industries, the General Manager owns DHR's full P&L across its Atlanta, Tampa, and Puerto Rico operations, sets the annual growth budget, and is accountable for delivering it. This role is expected to further shape DHR's strategic direction, drive operational excellence, and foster growth. Key Responsibilities Financial performance: Own the full P&L and annual budget. Lead monthly WIP reviews and maintain clear visibility into backlog, pipeline, and forecast. Drive job costing discipline and margin improvementCustomers and growth: Strengthen relationships with national grocery accounts, diversify the customer base across grocery, food processing, and cold storage, and grow GC and owner-direct workOperations: Lead multi-branch execution across Atlanta and Tampa, including scheduling, manpower planning, safety, quality, and compliance with industry standards and regulationsPeople: Hire, develop, and retain top talent and field leadership. Build a strong bench through training, clear accountability, and succession planningKelso partnership: Work with Kelso leadership and shared services (finance, HR, and systems) to carry division initiatives forward and adopt platform best practices What Success Looks Like (First 12 Months) Annual budget delivered, with a credible plan for significant growthAccurate, on-time WIP reviews and forecastsKey customer relationships retained and new customers addedProject manager and field leadership roles filled and retainedStrong safety performance across all branches Qualifications Minimum Required: 5+ years of leadership experience in the HVAC/R industry, including 5+ years with P&L or general management responsibility. Refrigeration experience is a must-have.Proven success in strategic planning and executionDemonstrated strong leadership and team-building skillsExcellent communication and interpersonal abilitiesProven ability to drive innovation and manage changeCommitment to delivering exceptional customer serviceBachelor's degree in business, engineering, construction management, or a related field, or equivalent experienceExperience managing $30M+ business, with a track record of driving significant growthStrong command of construction financials, including WIP, percent-complete revenue recognition, and job costingExperience leading multi-site operations Preferred Grocery and supermarket refrigeration construction experience, including CO2 and rack systemsMaster’s degree in businessAbility to serve as a qualifier for state contractor licensingExperience with NetSuite or a similar ERPSpanish language skills Location and Travel: Atlanta, GA metro area strongly preferred Regular travel to Tampa, Puerto Rico, and customer sites Why Join Us? We’re committed to attracting talented individuals who seek a company with a strong foundation of success and an outstanding culture. We proactively provide competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and clear pathways for career advancement with autonomy and flexibility in an entrepreneurial environment. Learn more about us at www.kelso-industries.com