In the Commercial MEP and Service industry, we live by the seasons. And everyone knows that summer is the Super Bowl.
Whether you are in HVAC service, mechanical contracting, or customized equipment manufacturing, the demand spikes when the temperatures rise. But here is the mistake we see companies make every year: They wait until the demand hits to hire the leaders who are supposed to manage it.
If you are planning to hire a Service Manager, a Dispatch Manager, or a Senior Estimator to handle the summer rush, and you haven’t started by March 3rd, you are already behind.
Here is why “Just-in-Time” hiring doesn’t work for leadership roles in our sector.
- The “Ramp-Up” Reality Gap A Service Manager cannot walk in on Day 1 and effectively manage a crisis. They need to learn your software, understand your contract base, meet the technicians, and build trust with key clients.
- The Math: It takes an average of 90 days for a leader to become fully autonomous. If you hire in May, they won’t be effective until August—just in time for the season to wind down.
- The Risk: Hiring mid-season forces your new leader to “drink from the firehose.” This leads to burnout, mistakes, and often, a resignation before the year is out.
- The Best Talent is “Locked In” by April Top-tier candidates—the ones who can actually move the needle on revenue—are loyal. Once the busy season starts, they feel a moral obligation to their current teams not to abandon them in the heat of battle.
- The Reality: The window to poach a high-performing Service Director or Sales Manager closes rapidly as spring approaches. If you want the best, you have to move while the weather is still (relatively) cool.
- Training Time is Non-Existent in July When the phone is ringing off the hook with emergency chiller shutdowns or urgent production orders, your existing leadership team does not have time to train a new hire.
- The Consequence: New hires are left to “figure it out,” which usually results in process breakdown and dissatisfied customers.
The Bottom Line: Don’t wait for the heatwave to buy the air conditioner. If you anticipate growth in Q2 and Q3, the time to seat the leadership for it is now.
Is your bench ready for the rush? We can help you identify and secure the leadership talent you need before the season kicks into high gear. Contact Us Today to start the search.
