An Installation Manager is a professional who oversees and manages the installation process of various equipment, systems, or products for clients. They play a critical role in ensuring that installations are completed efficiently, on time, and in compliance with quality standards. In this blog post, we will explore the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Installation Managers.

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Main Responsibilities of an Installation Manager

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an Installation Manager:

Accomplish

Accomplish all work within client and company agreed parameters.

Assess

Assess construction viability.

Assign

Assign tasks and responsibilities to installation teams.

Assist in

• Assist in the collection of accounts receivable.

• Assist in the development of strategic plans for operational activity.

• Assist other self-perform departments as needed to serve the client and meet our commitments.

Assure

• Assure equipment is properly stored prior installation.

• Assure quality inspections are performed on material and assemblies.

Attend

Attend re-measurement and service appointments as needed.

Authorize

Authorize all expenditures handled directly by the department in adherence to company policy.

Build

Build training materials and recommend installation creative assets.

Capture

Capture and feed Voice of Customer throughout Delivery Operations.

Coach

Coach and support 'Level 1 Support' & 'Level 2 Support'.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate with clients to understand their needs and expectations.

• Collaborate with engineers and designers for technical support.

• Collaborate with KCP R&E team on continuously improving dispenser functionality and design.

• Collaborate with sales teams to ensure client satisfaction and smooth handover.

Communicate

• Communicate proactively the resource needs to his / her superior.

• Communicate project updates and status to clients and stakeholders.

• Communicate the capacity constraints to sales.

• Communicate with customers.

Complete

Complete repairs or perform final touch ups, as needed, to finalize jobs to Arbor's expectations.

Comply

Comply with all regulations and focuses on creating a safe working environment.

Conduct

• Conduct follow-up with customers to ensure satisfaction.

• Conduct meetings monthly.

• Conduct performance evaluations for installation team members.

• Conduct post-installation evaluations and gather feedback.

• Conduct presentations and webinars to train new contractors.

• Conduct quality checks and inspections on completed installations.

• Conduct site visits to assess installation requirements.

Coordinate

• Coordinate all trades and staff.

• Coordinate with other departments for successful project execution.

• Coordinate with partner and sub-contractor(s) undertaking the installation activities.

• Coordinate with suppliers and vendors for timely delivery of materials.

Create

• Create and develop an Installer Network.

• Create and maintain daily job schedule and share it daily with the Operations and Sales teams.

• Create education, training, and development programs where required.

• Create project timelines and milestones for installation projects.

Delegate

Delegate tasks and accountability.

Develop

• Develop and monitor schedules for the complete installation of the system.

• Develop an extensive knowledge and expert authority on NAP installations (subject matter expert).

• Develop future company leaders.

• Develop, motivate and manage cross-functional teams (locally and remotely).

• Develop new, and improve existing system integration solutions.

• Develop SOPs and best practices for installations.

Direct

Direct coordinate activities of work force to generate sales at or above company standards.

Drive

• Drive efficient, safe, and high-quality installation operations in line with KONE methods.

• Drive proactive identification and execution of value-add service and change order opportunities.

• Drive profitable, reliable and efficient project management practices in line with KONE methods.

Enforce

Enforce accuracy of schedule, revenue and & planning done by PMs, Construction Supervisors & Admins.

Ensure

• Ensure accuracy of schedule, revenue and cost planning as per FL policy.

• Ensure adherence to contract specifications and established policies and procedures.

• Ensure all activities comply with Company OH&S policies and procedures.

• Ensure all installations are completed within budget and on schedule.

• Ensure all necessary permits and approvals are obtained.

• Ensure compliance with all C&W company policies and Health and Safety requirements.

• Ensure delivery of excellent customer service to both internal and external customers.

• Ensure effective deployment and benefit realization of KONE Way and local initiatives.

• Ensure high quality workmanship by all trades.

• Ensure proper materials are purchased and available for all installations.

• Ensure quality of products.

• Ensure that KONE adds value to customers' projects with seamless and reliable project delivery.

• Ensure that once stickers have been laid that QR codes are uploaded into the robotic drive memory.

• Ensure that subcontractors also have a clear understanding of the work required on each job.

• Ensure that team completes all required training.

• Ensure timely completion of all installations and receipt of all required documents.

• Ensure warehouse is clean and organized at all times.

Establish

• Establish and promote service-minded culture and outside-in thinking in Delivery Operations.

• Establish organizational structures.

• Establish working relationship with Commanders, installation staff / leaders, and Service Providers.

Facilitate

• Facilitate coordination and communication between support functions.

• Facilitate field site visits for due diligence on construction, engineering, utility, and cost.

File

File permits and local variances.

Follow

Follow all applicable third-party safety policies and best practices.

Follow-up

Follow-up with customers' issues and resolve them in a timely and professional manner.

Formulate

Formulate and implement departmental and organizational policies and procedures to maximize output.

Handle

Handle customer complaints and address any concerns promptly.

Hire

Hire, train, and coach installers, measure, and service technicians.

Host

Host weekly meetings with Fiber Technicians to convey latest company news, policies and changes.

Identify

• Identify and address competence development needs for project management and installation.

• Identify any outstanding issues to minimize impact throughout store life cycle.

• Identify new market opportunities.

• Identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiency.

Implement

• Implement and maintain project documentation and records.

• Implement and manage operation plans.

• Implement and Supervise operation plans.

• Implement refrigeration installs for large supermarket clients.

• Implement safety protocols and ensure compliance with regulations.

• Implement "workaround” plans to mitigate adverse effects of delays on the contract schedule.

Improve

Improve processes and policies in support of organizational goals.

Install

• Install and program case controllers including Danfoss, Emerson, and Dixell controllers when needed.

• Install, program, and troubleshoot Bacharach HGM leak detectors.

• Install, program, and troubleshoot Variable Frequency Drives including Danfoss and ABB.

Interact

Interact with customers, designers and the production department.

Interpret

Interpret a variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form.

Lead

• Lead billing and costing meetings for all projects.

• Lead supports and contributes to branch wide initiatives.

Liaise with

• Liaise with customer and other contractors on possession management.

• Liaise with procurement and logistics on material deliveries based on the site activities forecasted.

Maintain

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe environment.

• Maintain all required written records including emails, memo, and invoice.

• Maintain a professional work environment for all subcontractors, customers, and Arbor employees.

• Maintain a safe and clean working environment.

• Maintain installation and service schedule.

• Maintain productivity of team and field log entries.

• Maintain stock free of unused inventory at all times.

• Maintain wellness of vehicles, surveillance trailers and solar units.

Make

Make Installation capacity planning and completion forecast.

Manage

• Manage all aspects of all installations and services.

• Manage all aspects of the installation department.

• Manage all employee annual performance reviews and month end performance reviews in a timely manner.

• Manage all indirect cost and expense below budget levels.

• Manage and develop required project management competences Delivery Operations management.

• Manage and ensure all allied support materials are available and ready for install dates.

• Manage and schedule each installation and service project from start to finish.

• Manage budgets and inventories closely with Director of EMS.

• Manage customer relationships and disputes and tracks NPI and transactional survey.

• Manage installation budgets and expenses.

• Manage multiple installation projects simultaneously.

• Manage quality and quantity of employee productivity.

• Manage systems delivery process from order receipt to project completion.

• Manage the activities and performance of installation supervisors.

• Manage the Construction, Engineering and Project Managers for the Operations Department.

Meet with

Meet with customer and support Project Director with customer meetings.

Monitor

• Monitor adherence to rules, regulations and procedures.

• Monitor and evaluate performance.

• Monitor and maintain existing network infrastructure.

• Monitor installation progress and subcontractor performance.

• Monitor performance and implement improvements.

• Monitor project progress and make adjustments as needed.

Negotiate

• Negotiate contracts and agreements with clients and suppliers.

• Negotiate pricing with contractors.

Operate

Operate as a business partner with client, maintaining clear and concise communication throughout.

Oversee

• Oversee all components of the installation process.

• Oversee business development of the installation program with prospective contractors / partners.

• Oversee job sites to ensure quality installations are being completed.

• Oversee scheduling of installations and ensuring proper crew placement.

• Oversee the installation team's performance and productivity.

Participate in

• Participate in and oversee onsite installations.

• Participate in local marketing events as needed.

Perform

• Perform detailed analysis of competitor products and services.

• Perform pre-commissioning checks to ensure projects are tracking effectively toward completion.

• Perform site and process audits within team and carries out.

• Perform weekly unplanned job inspections for all crews.

Plan

• Plan and coordinate installation projects from start to finish.

• Plan and direct employer outreach programs.

• Plan effective strategies for the financial well-being of the company.

Prepare

• Prepare and control operational budgets.

• Prepare and lead contractor progress meetings.

• Prepare for, attend and contribute to meetings as requested.

• Prepare / present reviews, reports and provide credibility to the customer.

Procure

Procure equipment, materials, and resources for installations.

Provide

• Provide input and feedback about changes needed to KONE Way.

• Provide NCR and action plan to rectify any anomalies found at site.

• Provide site reports and sketches as needed.

• Provide support as needed to the general contractor during all phases of construction.

• Provide technical expertise and guidance to the installation team.

• Provide tech support and on-site help whenever required.

• Provide timely and adequate sales support to ensure service field technicians are fully productive.

• Provide training and support to installation team members.

Reach

Reach with hands and arms.

Record

Record and register installation test records.

Report

Report out on installation performance and develop KPI's.

Resolve

• Resolve and approve of any issues related to site readiness and clearance on material delivery.

• Resolve any issues or challenges that arise during installations.

Review

• Review and approve construction bids and change orders.

• Review and approve installation designs and plans.

• Review and approves project revenue and cost plan updates as per policy.

• Review and fully understand daily work orders.

• Review and fully understand product installation specification sheets.

• Review financial statements and data.

• Review new project proposals, and develop execution plans.

• Review title reports for ownership, encumbrances, and easements.

Schedule

Schedule and organize a high volume of new and existing projects.

Supervise

• Supervise onsite installation personnel and all subcontractors.

• Supervise quality and quantity of employee productivity.

• Supervise systems delivery process from order receipt to project completion.

• Supervise the Construction, Engineering and Project Supervisors for the Operations Department.

• Supervise, train and develop installation crews.

Support

Support to installation authorities during RESM installation activities.

Track

Track and manage status of all needed approvals.

Train

Train installers on installation best practices.

Utilize

Utilize financial data to improve profitability.

Work with

• Work with the Area Manager to ensure goals are prioritized and met.

• Work with the legal department to ensure full compliance with company contract requirements.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of an Installation Manager:

1. Project management skills for planning and executing installations.

2. Knowledge of construction and installation methods and practices.

3. Competence in reading and interpreting technical drawings and blueprints.

4. Understanding of safety regulations and protocols for installations.

5. Familiarity with installation tools, equipment, and materials.

6. Competence in using project management software for planning and tracking.

7. Knowledge of building codes and regulations related to installations.

8. Understanding of procurement and supply chain management for installations.

9. Competence in budgeting and cost management for projects.

10. Knowledge of quality control and assurance processes for installations.

11. Understanding of electrical and mechanical systems for certain installations.

12. Competence in coordinating and managing installation teams.

13. Knowledge of HVAC systems for installation considerations.

14. Understanding of audio-visual equipment setup and configuration.

15. Competence in reading and interpreting technical manuals and documentation.

16. Knowledge of telecommunications and network infrastructure for installations.

17. Understanding of safety protocols for handling hazardous materials.

18. Competence in troubleshooting technical issues during installations.

19. Knowledge of fire safety and security systems installations.

20. Understanding of automation and smart technology installations.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of an Installation Manager:

1. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

2. Strong leadership and team management abilities.

3. Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.

4. Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic work environment.

5. Active listening and understanding of client needs and expectations.

6. Collaboration and teamwork for working with diverse stakeholders.

7. Time management and organizational skills for meeting project deadlines.

8. Strong attention to detail and accuracy in project management.

9. Positive attitude and motivation to lead successful installations.

10. Adaptability and resilience in handling challenging situations.

Conclusion

Installation Managers play a crucial role in ensuring the successful execution of installation projects. By possessing a combination of technical expertise, practical skills, and personal qualities, these professionals can effectively lead installation teams and deliver outstanding results for clients.