Mechanical Shop Manager; Facilities and Campus Services

Title: Mechanical Shop Manager (Facilities and Campus Services)

Executive Area: Administration and Finance

College/School/MBU: Facilities Management

Department: Building Maintenance

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: Full time

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Maintenance, the Mechanical Shop Manager manages and coordinates the daily activities of the Controls, Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, Mechanical and Refrigeration Shops. The manager is the primary contact for university customers, communicating work order status, ensuring efficient repair services, monitoring systems, planning preventative maintenance, procuring parts, controlling inventory, and coordinating the work of technical trades staff.

The manager also oversees third‑party service contractors when demand exceeds internal capacity or expertise.

• Ensures that the mechanical shop is staffed and organized to maximize the strength of the multiple trade disciplines and respective technicians.
• Collaborates with support teams including trade supervisors, directors, engineers, user groups and customers.
• Manages backlog levels by trade area, evaluates, updates and develops new standard procedures to prioritize work and directs activities, and manages the need for supplemental services, allocation of additional staff, and overtime.
• Supervises and/or coordinates activities of staff and maintenance personnel engaged in maintenance, renovation, central utility plant/infrastructure operation, and other facility activities.
• Manages after‑hours on‑call staff, including scheduling and ensuring coverage, serving as the main contact for emergencies that cannot be addressed by the on‑call staff.
• In consultation with the Management team, establishes and documents building needs.
• Utilizes in‑house and sourced reports, building inspection evaluations, and work order information to identify and prioritize deferred maintenance projects; establishes scopes of work and develops estimates; assists in the development of three to five‑year deferred maintenance plans.
• Working closely with the Energy Management group, provides support and assists in the development and implementation of the University's energy conservation programs.
• Participates in the review of all University capital project plans and specifications; determines an impact on operations, maintenance, and available staff resources.
• Leverages key performance indicators (KPIs) to enhance operational efficiency while managing and evaluating staff performance and work quality; develops and implements a strategic University‑wide HVACR plan to reduce service calls and elevate customer satisfaction; fosters a culture of accountability and ownership.
• For renovation and maintenance projects, reviews and/or develops scope of work, cost estimates, schedules, contingencies, and project risks; obtains necessary permits and agency approvals required for renovation or maintenance projects.
• Monitors project‑associated costs, coordinates resources with all parties involved as necessary, documents all scope changes, and tracks KPIs such as remaining completion time and estimated cost at completion.
• Assures compliance with all Federal, State, Local and University safety policies, building codes, fire codes, and environmental regulations; supports training programs for trades employees.
• Maintains working knowledge of the management and removal of regulated materials including asbestos, mold, lead, silica, and PCBs.
• Establishes a procurement program to support staff operations with required contract services and materials; determines the optimum level of parts and supply inventories; develops Requests for Proposals and works with purchasing or capital procurement to establish contracts.
• In addition to project budgeting, develops and controls the operating budgets for the shop; periodically audits work orders to ensure that labor and material are charged properly.
• Ensures that staff are organized effectively, and each member of the shop is knowledgeable of their assigned responsibilities; maintains a supportive coaching style emphasizing professional development.
• Participat…