Air Conditioning Division Manager – Technical & Commercial

A senior, entrepreneurial opportunity

This is a senior, entrepreneurial opportunity, not a conventional engineering vacancy. Opulence Home Comfort is an established, family-owned business in Bury St Edmunds, known for premium stoves, fireplaces and installation services. Air conditioning is the strategic focus of our growth. We are looking for the person to build and ultimately lead the new division, working directly with our directors and without personally funding the infrastructure of a new business. We already hold REFCOM company certification and have F-Gas-qualified technical capability in-house.

How the role develops

You will start as the hands-on technical and commercial lead: AC surveys, system selection and design, customer consultations, quotations, installation coordination, manufacturer relationships, supporting installations where appropriate, and establishing standards and procedures. As revenue develops, the role grows into divisional management: installation capacity, technical quality, sales performance, recruitment and training, gross margins, servicing, and reporting to the directors. Longer term, depending on capability and commercial performance, it could become dedicated AC divisional leadership or broader technical and commercial leadership across Opulence Home Comfort. The opportunity is substantial, but progression is earned through competence and results, with no guaranteed promotion, team size or timescale.

A year-round role

Air conditioning is your primary responsibility. During autumn and winter you will also progressively shadow James Pullinger, director and lead surveyor, learning stove and fireplace surveying. This is a genuine professional development opportunity. No stove knowledge is expected at the start, training is structured, and you will survey independently only once competence is established. The balance of work follows real seasonal demand.

The person we want

We believe the right attitude, personality and approach to customers are every bit as important as technical qualifications. We want someone approachable and likeable, who listens before offering solutions, shows empathy, builds rapport, takes ownership, communicates clearly, and has the independent judgement to represent Opulence professionally without constant director involvement.

Essential: a current UK-recognised F-Gas qualification appropriate to the stationary air-conditioning work you will undertake (Category I is our benchmark). You will also need substantial UK air-conditioning experience, including residential split systems, installation and commissioning, feasibility assessment, pipework, condensate, electrical requirements, and system selection and sizing, plus a full UK driving licence. You might currently be an air conditioning surveyor, senior AC engineer, air conditioning technical sales professional or an aspiring HVAC manager. Your individual F-Gas certificate is required in its own right; our company certification does not replace it.

We will take the time to find the right person rather than rush an appointment.

Remuneration

• Basic salary: £48,000–£52,000.
• First-year division launch bonus of £5,000: payable only when both thresholds are met — at least £375,000 qualifying annual AC divisional revenue, excluding VAT, and a minimum qualifying divisional gross margin of 32.5% (our target margin is 35%; the 32.5% minimum is the qualifying condition). Payment remains subject to agreed operational performance requirements and the final employment agreement.
• Progressive incentive on qualifying divisional gross profit: 5% between £150,000 and £300,000, 7.5% between £300,000 and £500,000, and 10% above £500,000.
• Longer-term earnings: £60,000–£90,000+ is possible as the division grows. This is illustrative and not guaranteed.

As the role develops across our divisions, the remuneration structure may be reviewed to reflect broader contributions. Full details and worked examples are in the downloadable job description.

Timetable

Recruitment begins in November 2026, with an anticipated appointment in January 2027 (or earlier by agreement) and an operational launch in Q1 2027, building installation capacity ahead of the spring/summer 2027 cooling season. These are target dates, and the right candidate takes priority.

How to apply

Please use the application form below or email james@opulencestoves.co.uk with the subject line “AC Division Manager application”. Include your CV, a brief summary of your air-conditioning experience, details of your technical qualifications (including your F-Gas certification), examples of your surveying, design, installation or commercial responsibilities, and your current notice period.

Download the full job description (PDF)

Opulence is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, please tell us when you apply.