Hiring Service Manager in Houston

JF Petroleum Group is a leading provider of specialized services for the oil and gas, energy, and heavy construction sectors across the United States, with a core focus on fleet maintenance, on-site equipment repair, and after-sales support for operations in the Permian Basin, Gulf of Mexico, and major industrial hubs. Operating for over 15 years, we serve more than 120 B2B clients including major exploration and production companies, supporting over 3,000 vehicles and pieces of heavy drilling equipment annually. Our Houston-based headquarters coordinates a network of 8 service centers across Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, with a team of 250+ technicians and operational staff dedicated to delivering reliable, safety-compliant service with a 98.7% client retention rate.

We are currently hiring an experienced Service Manager to lead our after-sales and fleet maintenance department, based in Houston, Texas. In this role, you will oversee end-to-end service operations for our client fleet of light vehicles, heavy-duty trucks, and oilfield drilling equipment, manage a team of 15 to 20 certified technicians, and act as the primary point of contact for our B2B clients in the energy sector. This position is ideal for a hands-on leader with deep experience in automotive or heavy equipment maintenance, who prioritizes safety, operational efficiency, and strong client relationships.

Your core responsibilities will include:
1. Supervise a team of 15 to 20 automotive technicians and heavy equipment mechanics, manage weekly work schedules and job site assignments, and ensure 95% of client service requests are completed within agreed SLA timelines
2. Optimize preventive and corrective maintenance processes for client fleets, implement process improvements to reduce vehicle and equipment downtime by 10% over a 12-month period
3. Manage B2B client relationships for energy companies operating in the Permian Basin and Gulf of Mexico, resolve client complaints and service issues within 24 hours, and maintain a minimum client satisfaction score of 92%
4. Oversee the department’s annual operating budget of $2.5M, negotiate with approved suppliers including FleetPride and O'Reilly Auto Parts to reduce spare parts costs by 8% year-over-year, and track monthly budget variances
5. Ensure full compliance with OSHA safety regulations across all service centers and on-site job locations, deliver quarterly safety training to all team members, and maintain a target of zero serious workplace accidents per year
6. Manage spare parts and specialized tool inventory for on-site interventions, maintain a 98% availability rate for critical spare parts, and coordinate with the supply chain team to restock low-stock items within 48 hours
7. Generate and present weekly and monthly performance reports to the executive leadership team, tracking key metrics including team productivity, service completion rates, operational costs, and client satisfaction scores
8. Mentor and train new technicians during their onboarding period, develop a structured skill development program to upskill the team on new electric and hybrid vehicle maintenance techniques, and oversee annual performance reviews for all department staff
9. Coordinate with the sales team to review client service contracts, provide technical input for new client proposals, and support the development of new service offerings for emerging energy sector needs

The work environment for this role is hybrid between our 5,000 sq ft Houston service center and on-site client locations, with 1 to 2 days per week of travel to job sites in the Houston area and occasional overnight travel to Gulf of Mexico offshore support locations (maximum 10% of work time). Our company culture prioritizes team safety above all else, with no penalty for reporting safety hazards, regular team-building events, and quarterly performance bonuses for all staff when departmental targets are met. We avoid micromanagement, and expect leaders to empower their teams to make decisions, with support from the executive team for strategic initiatives.

To qualify for this role, you must have:
- 5+ years of experience managing teams of automotive technicians or heavy equipment mechanics, preferably in the oil and gas, energy, or heavy construction sectors
- In-depth knowledge of OSHA safety regulations and DOT vehicle compliance requirements for heavy-duty fleets
- Proven experience managing operational budgets of $1M or more, with a track record of reducing costs without compromising service quality
- Valid US driver’s license, and ability to pass a background check and drug screening required for access to oilfield sites
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with C-suite clients and frontline technicians alike
- Proficiency in the following tools: Jira for work order tracking, Salesforce for client relationship management, Microsoft Excel (including pivot tables and Power Query) for budget and performance reporting, and Fishbowl for inventory management. Familiarity with Snap-On and Bosch diagnostic tools for heavy equipment is a strong plus
- A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field is preferred, but not required for candidates with extensive relevant experience

In addition to a competitive base salary of $85,000 to $110,000 per year, depending on experience, this role comes with a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Annual performance bonus of up to 10% of base salary, tied to departmental KPIs
- 80% coverage of health insurance premiums for you and your dependents, including dental and vision coverage
- 15 days of paid time off per year, plus 10 paid sick days and 7 paid company holidays
- 401(k) retirement plan with 4% employer match, plus profit-sharing contributions based on annual company performance
- Company-provided vehicle for all work-related travel, plus reimbursement for travel expenses including accommodation and meals for overnight trips
- Full provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety gear for all on-site work
- Full tuition reimbursement for professional development courses, including OSHA certifications, heavy equipment repair training, and leadership development programs
- Opportunities to attend industry conferences including the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) and the North American International Auto Show, with all expenses covered

Career growth opportunities for this role are significant: top-performing Service Managers are eligible for promotion to Director of Operations after 2 to 3 years of consistent performance, with the opportunity to oversee multiple service centers across the southern United States. We also offer opportunities to support our international operations in the Middle East and North Africa for candidates interested in global assignments, with full relocation support provided.

Our hiring process for this role is as follows:
1. Submit your application via our LinkedIn job posting or by emailing your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience to [email protected]
2. If selected, you will be invited to a 30-minute initial phone interview with our HR recruitment team
3. Next, you will complete a 1-hour on-site interview at our Houston headquarters with the Director of Operations and the current Service Management team, including a short case study on improving service turnaround times
4. A final 30-minute interview with our Chief Executive Officer to discuss your long-term career goals and alignment with our company values
The full hiring process takes between 2 and 3 weeks. We aim to fill this position by October 31, 2024, and applications will be accepted until October 15, 2024. We will contact all shortlisted candidates within 5 business days of the application closing date.