General Manager - Culligan of Watertown : Job Details

About Culligan of Watertown

Culligan of Watertown is a locally owned business with deep roots in northeastern South Dakota and Western Minnesota. We're known for providing trusted water treatment solutions to both residential and commercial customers across a protected franchise territory.

As we prepare for our next chapter, which includes a new office and warehouse, we're looking to pass the operational reins to a capable, values-driven leader. Our team is committed and proud to be part of a respected brand with a strong local presence.

The Role: General Manager

We're hiring a General Manager to oversee daily operations, lead our team, and collaborate closely with ownership on long-term strategy and growth. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives on creating clarity, driving performance, and building something lasting.

You'll oversee service, sales, staffing, and general operations—and you'll do it by setting clear expectations, holding teams accountable, and using good judgment backed by data. We want a roll-up-your-sleeves kind of leader who can bring structure and momentum while honoring what's already working.

What You'll Do

• Lead Operations: Own day-to-day operations across service, sales, and office functions. Build repeatable processes that improve consistency, efficiency, and outcomes.
• Grow the Team: Clarify roles—set goals. Provide coaching. Build a team that takes pride in delivering results and helping each other succeed.
• Drive Commercial Growth: Develop and activate a plan to expand our commercial business, from customer acquisition through service delivery.
• Manage the Numbers: Track KPIs, manage budgets, and collaborate with ownership to make informed financial decisions.
• Improve Systems & Reduce Risk: Identify gaps and inefficiencies, then implement more effective processes to address them.
• Protect & Strengthen Culture: Maintain a culture of trust, open communication, and shared accountability. Help us retain top talent in a competitive market.
• Enable the Owner to Step Back: Take the day-to-day off the owner's plate while keeping them strategically informed and involved.

What Success Looks Like in the First Year

• Clear systems, roles, and accountability processes are in place.
• The team is stable, engaged, and developing.
• A commercial growth strategy has been launched and is gaining traction.
• Operational risks are identified and actively managed.
• The owner is confident in your leadership and is less involved in daily execution.

Who You Are

• A proven leader with experience running operations in a small or midsize business
• Comfortable building teams and systems from the ground up
• Skilled with people, able to inspire trust, hold others accountable, and create a healthy workplace
• Confident in managing budgets and tracking performance through financial literacy.
• Action-oriented and practical you know how to get things done
• Experience in family-owned or community-centered businesses is a plus

Location & Travel

• Based on-site in Watertown, SD
• Occasional travel to Western Minnesota, and other nearby service areas