Chief Operating Officer

Burkholder's Heating & Air Conditioning, a highly respected family-owned HVAC company serving the Lehigh Valley for more than 65 years, is seeking an accomplished Chief Operating Officer to help lead its next chapter of growth. Reporting to the President/CEO and working closely with the leadership team, the COO will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across the organization.

At Burkholder's Heating & Air Conditioning, our reputation has been built on exceptional service, quality workmanship, and lasting relationships with our customers, employees, and community. As a family-owned business, we take pride in our values of professionalism, integrity, honesty, and fairness, which guide how we serve our customers and support our team.

We are committed to delivering outstanding service while creating a workplace where employees are valued, empowered to make an impact, and encouraged to grow. Through collaboration, accountability, and a shared commitment to excellence, we continue to build on the strong foundation that has made Burkholder successful.

Burkholder's HVAC is seeking an experienced Chief Operating Officer to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across the organization. This individual will partner closely with ownership and department leaders to drive operational excellence, improve processes, develop leaders, and create the structure needed to support continued growth. The ideal candidate is a visible, engaged and collaborative leader who can balance strategic vision with execution while fostering a culture of customer-first mindset, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

• Provide executive leadership and strategic oversight across service, installation, commercial projects, warehouse, purchasing, dispatch, and other key operational functions.
• Align teams around shared goals to drive operational excellence, exceptional customer service, and sustainable growth.
• Identify opportunities to enhance processes, increase efficiency, and build scalable systems that support company growth.
• Partner with ownership and leadership to evolve the organization while preserving its values, culture, and reputation.

• Develop and coach department leaders to strengthen accountability, performance, and leadership capability.
• Establish effective operating rhythms, communication practices, and performance metrics to drive alignment and execution.
• Build a culture of continuous improvement by developing talent, identifying future leaders, and supporting succession planning.

• Utilize operational and financial metrics to evaluate performance, identify opportunities, and support informed decision-making.
• Lead planning, budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation efforts to support business objectives.
• Drive improvements in processes, technology, and systems that enhance visibility, efficiency, and organizational effectiveness.
• Promote a culture of teamwork, professionalism, safety, accountability, and commitment to quality.

• 10-15+ years of progressive operational leadership experience within HVAC, mechanical services, construction, field service, manufacturing, distribution, or related industries.
• Demonstrated success leading multiple departments and developing managers in a growing organization.
• Strong financial and business acumen, including experience with budgeting, forecasting, KPIs, labor productivity, job costing, and operational performance.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, operations management, engineering, construction management, or a related field preferred; equivalent senior-level operational leadership experience will be considered.
• Proven ability to build structure, processes, and accountability within a growing organization.
• Experience working closely with ownership, executive leadership, or a board.
• Experience leading an organization or business unit with 50+ employees and operations in the $10 million-$50 million revenue range preferred.
• Proven ability to build structure, improve processes, establish accountability, and lead organizational growth.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build credibility with leaders, office employees, technicians, and field teams.
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to travel locally to company locations, customer sites, and project sites as needed.
• Ability to work onsite in Emmaus, Pennsylvania.

• Leadership experience within HVAC, mechanical contracting, skilled trades, construction, or another field service environment strongly preferred.
• Experience with residential and commercial service operations, maintenance agreements, installation, project management, dispatch, purchasing, inventory, warehouse operations, or field labor management.
• Experience with in a family-owned or privately held company.
• Experience implementing or optimizing field-service…